UP Babaylan x Queer Archers' Alliance x 2011 Manila Pride March

At the Pride March was another LGBT student organization, the fun and sexy advocates of DLSU Queer Archers' Alliance!

UP Babaylan x 2011 Manila Pride March

UP Babaylan is a proud member of Task Force Pride.

2011 Annual Manila Pride March (Dec 3, 2011) 

Task Force Pride, a non-profit network of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) groups will organize the 17th Annual Pride March in Manila. The aim of the march is to gather different LGBT groups, allies and individuals in solidarity, as well as provide positive visibility to the community.

This year's theme, "Pride of the Orient", recalls the community's achievements with regard to advancing LGBT human rights, such as... organizing the first pride march in Asia in 1994 and the formation of Ladlad party list, the only LGBT-oriented party list in the world, and extensive HIV/AIDS Awareness campaigns nationwide .

"Pride of the Orient" calls on LGBT Filipinos to reclaim these milestones and look forward to more victories they've yet to achieve.

Dear LGBT groups/individuals and supporters,

We thank you for expressing your support for the 2011 LGBT Pride March.

To help you or your organizations gear up for the march, here is a check-list of reminders and things to do:

For Organizations who have registered on-line:

·          You may use cars, pick-up trucks or jeepneys. But due to parking constraints, the use of vehicles bigger than a 6-wheeler truck is not allowed.

·          Bring a banner to identify your organization.

·          Prepare a chant to make our march fun and festive, but please remember to respect other groups' beliefs, identities and expressions.

·          Prepare parade paraphernalia such as rainbow flags, pom-poms, placards and others to make our parade colorful and alive. The use of recyclable materials is highly encouraged. The use of confetti is strongly discouraged.

·          Use of firecrackers or fireworks is not allowed.

·          Do not bring, use or display firearms, explosive devices and other dangerous weapons.

·          If there are children below the age of 18 years old joining your group, make sure that there are adults who are available and capable to ensure their safety and security.

·          Please arrive early and approach the registration booth. Assembly time starts at 1:00 p.m. (1300 hrs.) at Remedios Circle and the parade will start at 4:00pm

For Individuals who have registered on-line:

•       Please arrive early and approach the registration booth. Assembly time starts at 1:00 p.m. (1300 hrs.) at Remedios Circle and the parade will start at 4:00pm

•       Bring your fanciest costume or a mask in case you are not yet out.

•       Do not bring, use or display firearms, explosive devices and other dangerous weapons.

•       You will march together with the wonderful Task Force Pride Philippines team.

Other Matters:

•       We discourage physical and verbal assault against our Anti-Gay Protestors.

•       We remind the participants that the Pride March is a public event and there will be children who will be watching.

•       The organizing committee shall be ensuring that there will be responsible media coverage during the event.

Map and Route of the Pride March

Attached with this email is the parade route.

1. Starting Point and Assembly Area will be at Remedios Circle

2. Remedios Street

3. Right to Roxas Blvd.

4. Right to Pedro Gil

5. Right to Jorge Bocobo
6. Back to Remedios Circle

7. End Point will be Orosa-Nakpil Streets where the stage is located

Parade Route: Remedios Circle - Remedios Street - right to Roxas Blvd. - right to Pedro Gil - right to Jorge Bocobo - back to Remedios Circle - Orosa-Nakpil Streets

Contact Information

If you have further queries feel free to contact Raffy Aquino, Co-coordinator for Membership and Participation at taskforcepride@gmail.com / 09163089903 (Globe), 09333049795 (Sun) or visitwww.taskforcepride.blogspot.com

See you at the parade!

Yours truly,

Task Force Pride Philippines

World AIDS Day: Getting to ZERO

Getting to ZERO.

As we participate in the observance of the 24th World AIDS Day, the University of the Philippines Babaylan remains steadfast in its commitment to increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve HIV/AIDS education among the constituents of the State University.

In 2010, there were 2.7 million new HIV infections and 1.8 million people dying from AIDS worldwide, with the number of new cases dropping by about 20% over the past decade. However, the recently released UNAIDS Global AIDS Report alarmingly identified the Philippines as one of seven countries which reported a more than 25% increase in new HIV infections between 2001 and 2009. Young LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Filipinos continue to be at risk, with sex between men accounting for nearly 80 percent of all the 2010 cases (these numbers also include transgender women who have sex with men, since there is no gender recognition law in the Philippines), and more than half of those infected aged between 20 and 29.

As students who are proud to be LGBT, we feel the urgent need for our society to make positive connections between sexuality, health and human rights. Sexual well-being is integral to human development. Instead of stigmatizing sex and sexual/gender minorities, we should promote good reproductive health and the realization of sexual rights, including rights to pleasure and fulfillment. These are crucial for achieving equality and social justice.

We urge the University administration to strengthen sexuality education in the academic curriculum, by making it more sex-positive and gender-sensitive. HIV/AIDS, like homophobia and transphobia, continues to spread in the Philippines because of ignorance and misinformation. Creating more RGEP courses such as Social Science 3 (Exploring Gender & Sexuality) and allowing more alternative classroom learning (ACLE) sessions on Sex, Gender, Sexuality, and HIV/AIDS could open up new avenues for information dissemination and risk mitigation. The Office of Guidance and Counseling should also be ready to offer unbiased support to students who are exploring their sexuality.

We call on our fellow Iskos to always practice safe sex whenever you engage in sexual activity. Use a condom correctly during penetrative sex. Aside from greatly reducing the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), this also lessens the chances of unwanted pregnancies. As part of the country's young educated force, we should also take the lead in informing and influencing the rest of our nation (including future generations) to adopt safer sex practices.

We invite the entire UP community to lobby with us for the passing of a comprehensive reproductive (and sexual) health law, which would provide for educational campaigns that discuss risky sexual behavior, the transmission of HIV/AIDS and other STIs, and their prevention and treatment. This law should also include access to life-saving supplies including condoms and antiretrovirals for HIV/AIDS.

UP Babaylan continues to have faith that with education, persistence and compassion, we will eventually reach zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.

01 December 2011

www.upbabaylan.blogspot.com

UP Babaylan x Harlequin Theater Guild - Unang Ulan ng Mayo

The DLSU Harlequin Theater Guild presented an LGBT themed play last November 27 at the Enrique Razon Hall. UP Babaylan was invited to watch the event together with notable national LGBT organizations and student LGBT organizations from other universities. This play explores attraction in a very refreshing way with the most interesting characters. The play celebrated two notable gay characters, the flamboyant and always happy Pita (this character is so lovable) and the reserved and insecure Victor, who in time will learn to understand the happiness of love that does not discriminate. You should never miss this.

Watch the trailer here.

UP BABAYLAN : 19 YEARS of LGBT PRIDE

UP BABAYLAN has ALWAYS been there for the LGBT community. 

19 years of raising awareness and utilizing education to advance gender equality and end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We never took breaks and vacations from campaigning for the ACCEPTANCE of the LGBT students of the University. We have always been loud and proud. We will never be silenced by discrimination and bigotry. We will remain to be the leading LGBT student formation who will empower through education. We are one big family. We will forge bonds. We will change lives. We live for the LGBT community of the University. 

19 YEARS of LGBT PRIDE.

UP Babaylan Book Drive for LGBT section for UP Main Library

2011 Manila Pride March

Task Force Pride, a non-profit network of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) groups will organize the 17th Annual Pride March in Manila. The aim of the march is to gather different LGBT groups, allies and individuals in solidarity, as well as provide positive visibility to the community.

This year's theme, “Pride of the Orient”, recalls the community's achievements with regard to advancing LGBT human rights, such as... organizing the first pride march in Asia in 1994 and the formation of Ladlad party list, the only LGBT-oriented party list in the world, and extensive HIV/AIDS Awareness campaigns nationwide .

“Pride of the Orient” calls on LGBT Filipinos to reclaim these milestones and look forward to more victories they've yet to achieve.

For Organizations, please confirm in this link:
http://taskforcepride.blogspot.com/2011/11/2011-confirmation-form-organizations.html

For Individuals, please confirm in this link:
http://taskforcepride.blogspot.com/2011/11/2011-confirmation-form-individuals.html

Registration begins at 1:00 pm at Remedios Circle, Malate, Manila, and Pride March contingents that arrive early will be greeted by a brief program until 4:00 pm. The hosts will explain the event's concept and encourage contingents to come up with a cheer for the march.

The march will begin at 4:15 pm and will end by 5 pm. During this time, the second half of the program will commence. The program will feature LGBT performers as well as brief solidarity messages from prominent LGBT individuals.

Please check the TFP page regularly for updates on the program line-up and the venue. Thanks, and see you all on December 3, 2011 at the Pride March!

For more information you can visit this FB Event Page:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=241089652610923

Visit the official website:
http://www.taskforcepride.blogspot.com/

email us at:
taskforcepride@gmail.com
or SMS us at 09163089903 (Globe), 09333049795 (Sun)

Yours with Pride,

Raffy Aquino
2011 Membership & Participation Head
Task Force Pride

UP Babaylan x Home for the Golden Gays

An outreach program was organized by PinoyG4M and Akei. UP Babaylan was invited to join the outreach program. The experience was fun and very insightful. Since most of the old LGBT individuals who stay there did not marry and have kids and they are really neglected by their own families, no one really takes care of their needs. The outreach program raised goods and monetary assistance which were then provided to the elders of the home. The program included singing, dancing and yes, even a beauty pageant. Food and drinks were served throughout the program.

We encourage everyone to help out in providing for the needs of our aged LGBT community. To find out how you can help, you may want to visit their official site.

http://homeforthegoldengays.org/

the winners of the pageant.