And Ladlad might run for congress this 2007 for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, TransgenderPartylist. The first in the Philippines. Danton Remoto is the representative. =)
Support us! You can help in anyway you can.
For this revolution, there will be dancing. ;-p
Mission Solidarity
How the 2nd ILGA International Lesbian and Gay Association Asia Conference promoted LGBTQI pride and unity as a bonding against oppression
For LGBTQI’s solidarity is not a matter of luxury, but survival. In a very heterosexist and patriarchal society such as ours, there is immense value in standing together and fighting for our rights. This is the conclusion that came from the 2nd ILGA Asia Regional Conference held in Cebu in a quaint but charming beachfront hotel. The conference raised a question that has long been needing redress: beyond the alphabet soup of LGBTQI, letters which stand for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex –can we truly find a common ground and come together? How do navigate with these different letters and diverse identities and work harmoniously to fight the common enemy of totalitarianism, oppression and plain narrow-mindedness?
Since the conference is also particularly focused to the needs of Asia, it, of course, discussed issues which are unique to LGBTS in the Asia region. Delegates from Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Burma, Indonesia, Hong Kong as well as the Philippines spoke about the different situations of the LGBTQI movement in their countries. We talked about how in deeply spiritual Asia, religion plays an important factor in the acceptance of LGBTQIs. In certain countries that believe in Buddhism where karma and reincarnation figure predominantly, for example, homosexuality is believed to be in-born resulting from the “karma” of the individual involved. It is seen as a kind of punishment and therefore, people ‘pity’ homosexuals rather than persecuting them harshly. This is not the case, however for many other Asian countries who criminalize same sex relations like in India, Sri Lanka and in Singapore. In Burma, where the harsh military rule is extra cruel to homosexual “deviants,” homosexuality has just been decriminalized. So too in Hong Kong. A Hong Kong delegate who is active in the gay movement and in the prevention HIV Aids reported that in many ways, the LGBTQI condition in the country is getting worse. “The loud, extremely conservative minority is a well funded group with the chief goal of bringing us down” he said. They even publish smear campaigns in the papers against gays and lesbians. In the Philippines, LGBTQI discrimination as well as triumphs were also reported. We have to combat visible and invisible homophobia, from the blatant to the subtle, despite us not having a sodomy law. The incident where a mayor in the Quezon province was banning gays and lesbians in his city and having them beaten up and abused was talked about, as well as discrimination of LGBTQI’s at work and school. On the other hand, some success stories were reported as well. The Gender and Development Code mandate is now operative in Quezon City wherein schools are obliged by law to have gender sensitivity workshops. Competitions are also held for the most gender sensitive film award as well as the most gender sensitive community. One very interesting testimony was by a male to female transgender who was working for the Philippine National Police, breaking the stereotype barrier. She was working, for one, not as a secretary, but as a forensics officer. She had the full respect of the people around her, and was even called “mam.” She was relating the tragicomic story of this biased judge who deemed her ‘mentally unsound’ just because she was transgender.
All throughout the discussion, knowledge and awareness of oppression as a way of fighting that oppression was highlighted. Building a politics of solidarity while acknowledging a politics of difference is crucial. We admitted that LGBTQIs may have different positionings and concerns from one another, we may be from different countries, different genders, different classes and different cultural practices but what is important is that we recognize that we are all struggling for the same equality heterosexuals are given and that we are all trying to make the world a freer place to love.
The lesbian caucus concluded that even though in this patriarchal society, gays still have more privilege over lesbians as virtue of their still being men, these differences could be worked around. The same call is also issued to our straight feminist sisters, for them to recognize that we are battling the same fight against gender labeling that puts us in boxes and does not allow us to explore our true being.
What is refreshing and inspiring about the conference for me, is meeting so many passionate, intelligent and idiosyncratic lesbians, gays, transsexuals and queers who are at the forefront of the gender revolution in their country, each with a unique story to tell. The coming together of different nationalities teaches you a humbling respect for diversity. It also resonates that the personal is indeed political as each person’s struggle is a microcosm of the struggle of the larger society. We had a rich sharing about our intimate experiences as various workshops tackled “The Ethics of Breaking up (and is there any?)” “Same Sex violence and How to Get over them” “Guerrila Warfare: Organizing LGBT pride in the Philippines” and “Ain’t I a woman? The question of lesbianism to the Women’s Movement.”
During the solidarity night, when we were all in one big circle by the beach, bonfire alit in the center, dancing to the tune of “I’m coming Out,” one can’t help but feel the energy of the message that love itself is the revolution. Against hate, against discrimination, against violence, love and camaraderie are the radical pronouncements. With the forces of heterosexism and patriarchy closing in on us, threatening violence and oppression, the lesson is clear: stand, and if possible, dance and celebrate together with flair.
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