Recognizing 'LGBT' rights
Recognizing 'LGBT' rights
Posted 00:39am (Mla time) Feb 05, 2005
By Rina Jimenez-David
Inquirer News Service
Editor's Note: Published on page A15 of the February 5, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
TWO officers of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) were recently in the country and were treated to a show of Filipino hospitality and the recognition by Filipino officialdom of the rights and dignity of all, regardless of sexual orientation.
Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, co-secretary general of ILGA, and Patricia Curzi, ILGA Women's Project officer, met with legislators recently to update them on LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) issues worldwide, stressing the need to recognize these same issues and address them through laws in our country. In turn, they were given a memorable reception.
In a meeting with Representatives Liza Maza, Satur Ocampo, Josefina Joson and Teofisto Guingona III, Flamer-Caldera and Curzi informed them of the upcoming ILGA Asia Regional Conference, which takes place in Cebu this June. The legislators unanimously pledged their support for the conference. At the same time, the results of a study conducted by Can't Live in the Closet (CLIC), a local lesbian rights group, on "Domestic Violence in Same-Sex Relationships" were presented to the lawmakers, who proceeded to discuss its implications.
"We were all encouraged by (their) response to our requests and their willingness to further LGBT causes within the government," Flamer-Caldera commented afterwards. "I was also so heartened by the fact that we were able to actually meet with government officials for informal meetings, a thing that is unheard of in many countries in Asia and elsewhere."
For her part, Curzi said she was "pleasantly surprised to note how many initiatives are taken by organizations here in the Philippines on gender-related issues and how well they are received by government representatives who take the time to meet with them, discuss and give their commitment to these initiatives."
* * *
REPRESENTATIVES Maza and Ocampo later presented the ILGA officers to the House of Representatives at the Session Hall. "It was a great honor for ILGA to be recognized by the government...I am sure it was the first time an LGBT organization was made welcome by the House and Speaker. Amid a sea of over 1,500 spectators and over 200 representatives, ILGA was asked to be recognized and our group was asked to stand and wave to the crowd to acknowledge who we were. We were all very moved and very proud," said Flamer-Caldera.
Earlier that day, at the flag-raising ceremony at the Quezon City Hall, the delegation from ILGA, CLIC, Progay and Cebu Pride was formally welcomed by Mayor Sonny Belmonte and the city councilors. Belmonte told the group that "we encourage all sexual orientations and gender identities here in Quezon City. In fact, we host and finance umbrella NGOs that work on gender-related issues."
Bills penalizing discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation are pending in the House, and though the media and opposers have tended to highlight only the so-called "same-sex marriage" provisions, the bills actually cover the rights of sexual minorities in the spheres of employment, social security, health services and other aspects of life and citizenship.
* * *
HERE'S another young Filipino we can all be proud of. John Piermont Montilla recently won the "Global Youth Leader Award" conferred on him by YouthActionNet of the International Youth Foundation.
John Piermont, or Pier to his friends, is the founding president of Kabataang Gabay sa Positibong Pamumuhay (Gabay) Inc. (Peers for a Positive Way of Life)-an organization of young peer counselors who took on the task of educating at-risk Filipino youth about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. Gabay was among the first awardees of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (Tayo), and its recognition by Tayo in 2003 gave the organization national recognition and a hefty cash grant that was earmarked to finance continuing projects.
Tayo Awards is a national search that aims to recognize outstanding youth organizations that leave a positive impact on a community. It is the brainchild of Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan and is being carried out together with the National Youth Commission along with partner agencies Mirant Foundation-Philippines, the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Deadline for submission of entries to this year's search, which is the third year of Tayo, is on Feb. 15. Application forms are available in all NYC, DSWD and local government offices and various schools' office of student affairs. Forms can be downloaded from www.tayoawards.org and www.youth.net.ph
* * *
"UNDERSTANDING and Healing Wounded Relationships in the Light of the Gospel" is the theme of a "pre-Valentine" retreat from Feb. 12-13 to be held at the SVD Retreat House in Tagaytay City, within the Divine Word Seminary compound.
Next weekend's module is part of the regular Psychogenetics Retreat series facilitated by Fr. Ed Fugoso, SVD. After the weekend retreat, says Father Ed, participants should know more about:
• What controls your present adult behavior when under stress.
• Transgenerational patterns in marital relationships explored through psychogenetics.
• The imprint of your parents in your choice of spouse and how the "ghosts" of their conflicts affect your present marital relationship.
• The reimprint that can free you from committing the same pattern of mistakes.
Psychogenetics is a scientific approach to understanding the influence of our parents and ancestors in our present adult behavior and relationships. It was developed by Anne Teachworth, founder of Gestalt Institute of New Orleans.
A "post-Valentine" retreat exploring the same theme will be conducted from March 5 to 6. For inquiries, call Father Ed at +63917 5414330 or Thess at +6346 4130340.
Posted 00:39am (Mla time) Feb 05, 2005
By Rina Jimenez-David
Inquirer News Service
Editor's Note: Published on page A15 of the February 5, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
TWO officers of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) were recently in the country and were treated to a show of Filipino hospitality and the recognition by Filipino officialdom of the rights and dignity of all, regardless of sexual orientation.
Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, co-secretary general of ILGA, and Patricia Curzi, ILGA Women's Project officer, met with legislators recently to update them on LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) issues worldwide, stressing the need to recognize these same issues and address them through laws in our country. In turn, they were given a memorable reception.
In a meeting with Representatives Liza Maza, Satur Ocampo, Josefina Joson and Teofisto Guingona III, Flamer-Caldera and Curzi informed them of the upcoming ILGA Asia Regional Conference, which takes place in Cebu this June. The legislators unanimously pledged their support for the conference. At the same time, the results of a study conducted by Can't Live in the Closet (CLIC), a local lesbian rights group, on "Domestic Violence in Same-Sex Relationships" were presented to the lawmakers, who proceeded to discuss its implications.
"We were all encouraged by (their) response to our requests and their willingness to further LGBT causes within the government," Flamer-Caldera commented afterwards. "I was also so heartened by the fact that we were able to actually meet with government officials for informal meetings, a thing that is unheard of in many countries in Asia and elsewhere."
For her part, Curzi said she was "pleasantly surprised to note how many initiatives are taken by organizations here in the Philippines on gender-related issues and how well they are received by government representatives who take the time to meet with them, discuss and give their commitment to these initiatives."
* * *
REPRESENTATIVES Maza and Ocampo later presented the ILGA officers to the House of Representatives at the Session Hall. "It was a great honor for ILGA to be recognized by the government...I am sure it was the first time an LGBT organization was made welcome by the House and Speaker. Amid a sea of over 1,500 spectators and over 200 representatives, ILGA was asked to be recognized and our group was asked to stand and wave to the crowd to acknowledge who we were. We were all very moved and very proud," said Flamer-Caldera.
Earlier that day, at the flag-raising ceremony at the Quezon City Hall, the delegation from ILGA, CLIC, Progay and Cebu Pride was formally welcomed by Mayor Sonny Belmonte and the city councilors. Belmonte told the group that "we encourage all sexual orientations and gender identities here in Quezon City. In fact, we host and finance umbrella NGOs that work on gender-related issues."
Bills penalizing discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation are pending in the House, and though the media and opposers have tended to highlight only the so-called "same-sex marriage" provisions, the bills actually cover the rights of sexual minorities in the spheres of employment, social security, health services and other aspects of life and citizenship.
* * *
HERE'S another young Filipino we can all be proud of. John Piermont Montilla recently won the "Global Youth Leader Award" conferred on him by YouthActionNet of the International Youth Foundation.
John Piermont, or Pier to his friends, is the founding president of Kabataang Gabay sa Positibong Pamumuhay (Gabay) Inc. (Peers for a Positive Way of Life)-an organization of young peer counselors who took on the task of educating at-risk Filipino youth about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. Gabay was among the first awardees of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (Tayo), and its recognition by Tayo in 2003 gave the organization national recognition and a hefty cash grant that was earmarked to finance continuing projects.
Tayo Awards is a national search that aims to recognize outstanding youth organizations that leave a positive impact on a community. It is the brainchild of Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan and is being carried out together with the National Youth Commission along with partner agencies Mirant Foundation-Philippines, the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Deadline for submission of entries to this year's search, which is the third year of Tayo, is on Feb. 15. Application forms are available in all NYC, DSWD and local government offices and various schools' office of student affairs. Forms can be downloaded from www.tayoawards.org and www.youth.net.ph
* * *
"UNDERSTANDING and Healing Wounded Relationships in the Light of the Gospel" is the theme of a "pre-Valentine" retreat from Feb. 12-13 to be held at the SVD Retreat House in Tagaytay City, within the Divine Word Seminary compound.
Next weekend's module is part of the regular Psychogenetics Retreat series facilitated by Fr. Ed Fugoso, SVD. After the weekend retreat, says Father Ed, participants should know more about:
• What controls your present adult behavior when under stress.
• Transgenerational patterns in marital relationships explored through psychogenetics.
• The imprint of your parents in your choice of spouse and how the "ghosts" of their conflicts affect your present marital relationship.
• The reimprint that can free you from committing the same pattern of mistakes.
Psychogenetics is a scientific approach to understanding the influence of our parents and ancestors in our present adult behavior and relationships. It was developed by Anne Teachworth, founder of Gestalt Institute of New Orleans.
A "post-Valentine" retreat exploring the same theme will be conducted from March 5 to 6. For inquiries, call Father Ed at +63917 5414330 or Thess at +6346 4130340.
posted by Dante at 12:39 AM
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