Wednesday, May 3, 2006

Our Narratives

About the Organization
The University of the Philippines Babaylan is the leading gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (lgbt) students' support group in all campuses of the State University, at the same time maintaining national and international linkages and presence.

The Organization's views on major issues confronting the nation, particularly as they affect the lives of Filipino lesbians and gays are heard and treated as the stand of the lgbt community of the University. It helps empower the latter by educating them on their rights as members of society, concomitantly teaching them how to effectively assert the exercise of these rights.

Our Legacy
Founded in August 1992, the University of the Philippines Babaylan is sui generis - in a class of its own- in the history of the State University. Its membership is composed of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered students. The diversity of its membership is accounted for the fact that its members come from almost every college in the U.P. system's flagship campus. A chapter was established in U.P. Manila some years ago.

UP Babaylan is officially recognized by University authorities. It has been awarded a tambayan at the West Wing of Palma Hall. The organization maintains a high profile role in the campus scene. As a matter of fact it has members who were elected as the University Student Council Chairperson in 1997 and Councilor in 2002 running avowedly as gay under the aegis of the organization. In 2011, Heart Dino was elected as the SECOND and  #1 USC Councilor when she got 45% of the total votes cast during the elections. . This year 2012, Heart Dino was elected as the First Transwoman Chairperson of the University Student Council. Pat Bringas was elected as the Third Transwoman and #2 Councilor of the USC.

CLOSING OUR RANKS
UP Babaylan was established to consolidate the gay and lesbian community in the University of the Philippines for the effective advocacy of our rights both in the University and in the national sphere.

Towards this end, the organization aims to forge unity among gay and lesbian students and faculty. We believe that unity within the community is crucial if we are to be heard on issues affecting us. Having been marginalized for so long, we recognize the need to consolidate ourselves into a vocal and potent force for the protection and advancement of gay and lesbian rights.

OUR BEACON
We believe in the inherent equality of all persons regardless of status or condition. For the organization, this inherent equality implies that human beings should not be discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation. 


MILESTONES

August 1991
An incident in Narra Residence Hall (an all-male housing facility) which involved the physical assault of a gay resident highlighted the need for an organization that will advance the rights and protect the welfare of LGBT students in the University. 

August 28, 1992
UP BABAYLAN was founded. Atty. VENIR TURLA CUYCO was its first Punong-Babaylan (President) when the Univeristy of the Philippines recognized the first and so far the largest LGBT student organization in the Philippines.

December 17, 1992
UP Babaylan Constitution was ratified and UP Diliman recognized the first LGBT Student Organization in the Philippines.

February 1996 
PERCIVAL CENDANA was elected as the very first openly gay Chairperson of the University Student Council of the University of the Philippines Diliman.

June 1996
UP Babaylan participated in the Manila Pride March. From then on, UP Babaylan has been part of the steering committee of the Official Annual Organizing Committee of the Manila Pride March - Task Force Pride (TFP)

September 1997
UP Babaylan organized the First Philippine LGBT Congress

June 1999
UP Babaylan organized the First Philippine LGBT Student Summit

March 2001
MARIA CARMEN HINAYON was elected as FIRST Transwoman Councilor and member of the University Student Council. She was elected as a transgender candidate under the party SAMASA.

March 2002
MARIA CARMEN HINAYON was elected as FIRST Transwoman Chairperson of the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines

July 6, 2009
UP Babaylan and its alumni organization, Babaylanes Inc., organized the founding of UP Los Banos Babaylan. Paul Andrew Lopez Manuales became the founding president of UPLB Babaylan with its 41 founding members.

June 8, 2008
UP Babaylan organized the FIRST UP PRIDE WEEK. The culminating event was the UP PRIDE MARCH participated by 21 members and alumni of UP Babaylan.

February 17, 2011
HEART DINO was elected as the SECOND Transwoman Councilor of the University Student Council. Heart was elected as the #1 USC Councilor with a lead of almost 1000 votes. She won 45% (or 4,807 out of 10,685) of the total votes cast during the elections. 

June 24, 2011
UP Babaylan in cooperation with the University Student Council Gender Committee, AKEI and HAIN, organized the 4th UP PRIDE WEEK. This was the FIRST time that UP Babaylan has tied-up the event with allies of the organization.

March 1, 2012
HEART DINO was elected as the FIRST Transwoman Chairperson of the University Student Council. She was elected Chairperson under the party ALYANSA.

PAT BRINGAS was elected as the THIRD Transwoman Councilor of the University Student Council. PAT was elected as the #2 USC Councilor of the University Student Council. 

June 28, 2012
UP Babaylan in cooperation with the USC Gender Committee, organized the most successful UP PRIDE WEEK to date. Different organizations and allies scheduled events during the week and the celebration was culminated with the largest UP PRIDE MARCH contingent - 45 participating organizations.

Narrative Accounts of the Organization







1 comment:

Anonymous said...

another milestone: 2002 - Maria Carmen Hinayon was elected as first trans woman Chairperson of the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines

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