Wednesday, September 28, 2011

GET REAL, MR. PRESIDENT:

PRESS STATEMENT

Contact Reighben Labilles 09179714096

reighben@live.com

http://www.facebook.com/reighben

http://www.facebook.com/groups/philippinelgbthatecrimewatch/

http://thephilippinelgbthatecrimewatch.blogspot.com/


GET REAL, MR. PRESIDENT:

Statement of the Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch concerning the position of President Aquino on LGBT Rights



THE PHILIPPINE LGBT HATE CRIME WATCH, a diverse, inclusive, and non-partisan community of individuals and organizations dedicated to ending prejudice and hate crimes targeting LGBT Filipinos, is calling on President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to turn his recent pronouncements on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights into concrete actions.


While we commend President Aquino for his recent pronouncement in New York City before world leaders that he generally favors LGBT Rights, we believe that he should offer more concrete proposals and act on them while he is still in office.


LGBT Filipinos suffer from real everyday problems stemming from homophobia and discrimination. Our group documented 141 murdered LGBT Filipinos since 1996, and there are thousands more who experience different levels of violence, harassment, physical and mental injuries, loss of income, and many other forms of inequality. Of course, LGBT Filipinos and their straight allies must also act to counter the bigoted elements of our culture. But the government must act to establish mechanisms and remedies against bigotry, especially if it results to violence.


LGBT Filipinos need real legal protections that can be realized if government leadership adopts a strong political will to provide these protections. Adoption of the Anti-Discrimination Bill now pending in Congress is one of the concrete steps that can effectively deliver this. Another legislative action would be to endorse a law reforming the criminal justice system to create new investigation protocols that would allow security forces to identify elements and manifestations of prejudice, bias and hate in reported crimes.


The government is obligated by international human rights conventions to enact the anti-discrimination law as soon as possible, and even before this is achieved, the Aquino administration can create administrative measures to address inequalities in key areas of public policy.


President Aquino should direct the Department of Social Welfare and Development to allow easier adoption for LGBT persons. He can push the Department of Labor and Employment to establish implementing rules to promote equality in the workplace. He can direct the Department of Education, CHED, and TESDA to issue memos respecting the right of persons to their own gender identity and safeguard against bullying. These are some of the few things his administration can make instead of issuing bland statements to forums.


Only real measures can provide long term solutions that President Aquino is talking about. We do not ask for special rights, only equal treatment.


End violence and hate against LGBT Filipinos. Get real, Mr. President.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Something to Redeem Me by Reighben Labilles

2:32 am | Saturday, July 23rd, 2011
Something to Redeem Me

By: Reighben Earl Wysten M. Labilles also on Twitter
Philippine Daily Inquirer

I remember how I blushed and hid behind walls when I saw other boys. I was five years old. I had crushes on them, I think. How I managed to like anyone other than family, food, or toys back then, I do not know. I always felt and acted on my gayness, even when I couldn’t name it.

When boys came over to play, I would just lend my toys and scamper off to hide in my room. I was taller and rounder than most my age, and there I was, being meek. I did everything to avoid other boys so that they wouldn’t see my red cheeks and my lips breaking into a giggle when they were near.


Puberty made school life complicated. Hiding my reactions to boys got harder because of the effects some of them had on my body when I saw them. A lunch bag or a book helped cover things that could not be seen in public.

But my youth wasn’t all about crushes and the precious little ways of avoiding contact with them.

I was bullied until high school. I was targeted because of (1) being obviously gay even though I kept denying it, and (2) being a weird and mayabang boy. Try as I did to hide my reactions and butch up, the way I walked and the way I talked betrayed my identity. Being a loud, obnoxious know-it-all made things worse.

Something wrong and unforgettable happened when I was in Grade 6. A male classmate handed over a plate of vegetables arranged as an erect penis (a cucumber), flanked by sizable balls (tomatoes). I was embarrassed. My classmates laughed while I stared at the plate of offensively arranged produce. My only recourse was to tell my teacher what the mean boy did.

The most hurtful thing said to me in high school was that I was weak, because that’s what gays are: “weak.” A classmate spat that at me when I failed to do a push-up. If only I had a bit of wit, I would have told him that I couldn’t do a push-up because I was fat.

I finally came out and stopped lying about my gayness when I was in junior high school. I was a little braver, and people were more sensible. I confronted my classmates with how hurt I got when they teased me. So they stopped. They became a bit more inclusive.

College and real life after that saw none of the bullying I had in my younger years. But there were “gay jokes.” And by the gods, were they harsh.

Stereotyped parody

The particularly offending string of “jokes” came daily in my last work place. Morning greetings were in high-pitched shrieks, a perverse, stereotyped parody of the Filipino parlor bakla. Office men would approach me with smiles plastered on their faces and pretend to caress me. Some would even grope my chest and crotch. All harmless fun, they say.

People would address me in awful camp, calling me bakla or bading instead of my name, even in meetings.

They would assume that every man coming by the office would be someone I’d go after. They think that every time I’d be leaving the office early, I’d be out cruising for men. They made sure to make these sentiments known during “joke time.”

Then there were the dark moments. One officemate remarked that gays should be beaten and killed—all said as a “friendly joke” delivered in gay voice.

At the end of the day, when I finally leave, they’d laugh and say, “Mag-ingat sila sa iyo.”

I survived that workplace by rolling with their mockery. I met their rudeness with a farce of my own. I’d make fun of myself. I became a coquette and mimicked their jokes. And just to throw them off and gross them out, I would overshare. I’d tell them of my escapades in pantomime. I’d get laughs, and they’d stop bugging me.

I faced that work life for a year. I resigned last April so I could move on, hopefully to something that can redeem me. I didn’t want to be just a gay salary man subject to the homophobia of unenlightened people.

So I joined Marlon Lacsamana’s Philippine (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) LGBT Hate Crime Watch. Together, we were a ragtag duo, going from one event to the next, trying to get people to support the cause of seeking justice for slain LGBT Filipinos. I did it so I can make something out of myself, so I can dedicate my life to the greater cause of advocating LGBT rights. I had to get out of my complacent, slacker rut and do work that has true social worth. And this was it.


Too effeminate for comfort? by Mark Madrona

A piece by Mark Madrona from his Blog.


Too effeminate for comfort?

25092011

I had dinner in a Japanese restaurant (in a Quezon City mall) with a group of college friends and this “blue-eagled” guy (who was invited by a common friend). We chatted continuously while enjoying the meal. It’s my first time to meet that guy, and by uttering seven insulting words to me, it would most likely also be the last.

As we were preparing to go home, I saw him ask for the number of a female friend. I then approached him if I can ask for his. It has become an SOP of sorts for me in my intertwined world of graduate studies, textbook editing, and freelance writing. Much to my chagrin, he dryly replied: “I’m not comfortable giving you my number.” It hit a raw nerve for me. I concede that not giving me his number is his prerogative. However, I can’t help but wonder about his stated reason for him to do so.

What is it in me that makes him “not comfortable”? Do I look like someone who’ll be texting him every single moment possible? Maybe, he thinks I am a sexual predator and hopeless stalker rolled into one. Perhaps, he became wary of my effeminacy. I am making no effort to show or hide it, but it does not mean I am gay. If you don’t like that aspect of my personality, then it’s not my problem.

That nasty experience brought back memories of how people have been prejudiced against me in the past just because of that. I’ve been mocked and ridiculed for being perceived as a homosexual for many years already. I experienced that in school, in the neighborhood, online, and even in workplace. Come to think of it, the only time the names of these rude people will be ever published in a newspaper is when they commit suicide.

Middle of last year, the mother of my ex warned that her boyfriend should not be a “convert.” As if being an effeminate has anything to do with one’s ability to love sincerely. The family invited me for a lunch, and in the three weeks after that, the relationship just fell apart – in the guise of unsolved “personal issues” on her side. Why can’t I make people see that sexuality is not my only defining characteristic? For how long will being an effeminate smother my real worth as a person in the eyes of others?

To readers: If you think you can’t stand reading the thoughts of a reviled effeminate, leave my blog immediately. Remove this page from your bookmarks. Unsubscribe now.

To the “blue-eagled” man: Don’t allow homophobia to lessen you as a person by making you prejudiced and judgmental. An open mind is a thing of beauty.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

All Are Welcome

by Reighben EarlWysten Mendoza Labilles-Lacsamana on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 4:05pm

The Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch is a LGBT Human Rights Advocacy welcoming and encouraging everyone and anyone to fight for the Rights and Freedoms of LGBT People. Discrimination and violence against LGBT people will only end when ALL of us join and unite against bigotry.

Human Rights activism should know no border, no color, and no division.

The Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch is an advocacy of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Be part of the force that fights for progressive, liberating change for all of US.

Meet-up with us,mobilize with us, discuss with us, blog with us, tweet with us.

Read the main blog:

http://thephilippinelgbthatecrimewatch.blogspot.com/

Join us on facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/philippinelgbthatecrimewatch/

Follow us on twitter ( @reighben ):

http://twitter.com/#!/reighben

-Reighben Labilles (Head Researcher and Spokesperson)

The Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch

09179714096

The Oxymoron of the Church's Stand on Homosexuality by Angelo Louise Lopez

Piece by: Angelo Louise Lopez from his Blog.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

The Oxymoron of the Church's Stand on Homosexuality

Earlier this week, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) announced the publication of the book Homosexuality and the Catholic Church by Fr. John Harvey. Archbishop Oscar Cruz said that the entire catholic community could be benefited from the contents of this book with regards to the nature of same-sex attraction. The book reveals the Church's position on homosexuality and the basic catechism with regards to this phenomenon.

In an article posted in the CBCP website, Archbishops Paciano Ancieto and Oscar Cruz reveals the gist of the book. In the said article, the CBCP urges the the homosexuals to "come out in the open" because "there is nothing to be ashamed of". Further, the CBCP also defended same-sex attraction, saying that it does not merit condemnation at once because homosexuality is a natural disposition. Fair enough, right? But this seemingly welcoming remarks of the Church is actually superficial.

In the same article, Bishop Oscar Cruz said:

"Don't condemn those who had a different sexual orientation for one thing, they did not chose it. Second, it is possible they could redeem themselves. Third, a good number of them are just behaving that way but they are not acting on their sexual orientation"

Let us dissect this statement:

1. The first sentence is commendable. It is true (although my opinion on this would be biased) that one cannot condemn anyone who is sexually deviant. Condemning homosexuals are as disgusting as racism. The high rate of gay teen suicides in the past couple of months is alarming enough and the primary root of this sad events is bullying. The neanderthal comparison of the homosexual phenomenon to a certain kind of viral disease adds up to the burden of a "closeted" homosexual trying to figure our his identity. I believe though that being homosexual is a choice- a choice to enjoy the freedom of being one's self- and it is this choice that makes the person comfortable with.

2. The second sentence, however, is clearly dangerous because it implies that homosexuals are originally destined to be thrown in the fiery seas of hell. The placement of the word "redeem" suggests that gays and lesbians already committed a sin being themselves. Clearly, this sentence is contradictory to His Eminence's previous statement. With this two sentences combine, it is like saying "Do not condemn them because they are already condemned."

3. The last sentence of this statement further reveals the true stand of the CBCP on homosexuality. Behaving and acting are to terms with clearly different meaning, but aren't these terms in a antecedent-consequent relationship with each other. While the CBCP says the there is nothing wrong on being gay (and they also encourages the "coming-out"), the bishops instruct homosexual to not act on their being. Again, we go back to the choice of being one's self. The choice of being gay entails the assumption that after the choosingbeing homosexual, the freedom to act as one follows. The CBCP says that a man can be attracted to another man is a "natural sexual disposition" and does not merit any persecution from the populace. However, they also imply that a man falling in love with another man merits a commission of a sin. These arguments are hilariously preposterous! For more, while the CBCP acknowledges homosexuality as a "natural disposition", it denies the existence of "third sex". WHAT?!

Homosexuality is not a sin, it is a form of self-expression, of being one's self. The "welcoming" remarks of the CBCP towards us homosexuals are good, but I say, "No Thanks!". These affirming-but-actually-denying statements are disgusting. It doesn't do anything good to the LGBT community. The CBCP condemns us further, by the mere superficial acceptance. These statements are just compounding the persecution homosexuals undergo in their everyday lives. As per being one, I have just learned to ignore the insults and the laughs being thrown at me as I am being judged with my choice of clothes and my sexual preference. Reading these statements are actually more insulting than the petty mockery that ordinary people throws on homosexuals. This is the reason why day after day, people our being discouraged on going to the Church. In reply to these statements, let me say to the CBCP that there are worse thing rather than losing "morality" for being gay. For example, losing religion.

Posted by dementedlittleboy at 9:21 PM

Friday, September 23, 2011

Op-Ed: An Open Letter to Anthony Taberna by Ron De Vera

Written by Ron De Vera for his column in Digital Journal. Read the original post here.

Op-Ed: An Open Letter to Anthony Taberna

Dear Mr. Taberna,
Last Thursday, on your show "Umagang Kay Ganda," you made the following comments on the death of two minors involved in a shooting in Pampanga City:
"May mga nagsasabi din sa atin...kung bakit ang bata ay humahantong sa ganito kaagang gulang ay nabibilad na po sa pakikipagkaibigan o umiibig sa kapwa lalaki lalo't ito'y bading pala, o nabubuo na yung ganong pagkatao niya. Eh meron pong nagsabi na mga taga telebisyon din ang may kasalanan niyan eh. Ang media daw ang may kasalanan dahil pagbukas mo pa lang ng telebisyon eh puro kami na nakikita niyo. Ibig sabihin, puro -pasensya na po sa termino- puro kabaklaan na raw po nakikita. Pag bukas mo ng telebisyon, pagbukas mo ng online - ng social networking, pinapahintulutan at tinatanggap na ng publiko...so siguro puede rin na...wake up call din po ito. Hindi po para siilin ang karapatan ng mga nasa third sex na magagaling naman talaga pagdating sa mga performance at iba pa. Pero mukhang na-e-engangyo po ang marami na maaga pa ay i-flaunt na yung kanila pong kabaklaan."
("I have been told that the reason that (male) children this young are already exposed to making friends with or being in love with other (male) children is...it is also the fault of TV. They say it is also the fault of media because the moment you turn on the TV, -sorry for the term- all you see are gay things. When you turn on the TV, when you log on to online - social networking, it (homosexuality) is allowed and accepted by the public. So perhaps this is a wake up call. I don't mean to take away the rights of the third sex, who are also good when it comes to performances and other things. But it seems a lot are encouraged to flaunt their gayness at a very early age.")
http://www.pinoypride.net/video/136293/Umagang-Kay-Ganda-Sep-22-P3
I would like to dissect your commentary and tell you first hand, as a self-identifying gay man, why your commentary reflects a perspective that needs much re-education on "gay things." Let me begin by saying that the shooting incident had very little to do with the gender of the two victims. Meaning to say, it could have happened to any other straight couple. That is why I am still wondering where your comment is coming from seeing that the focus of the segment was the lack of security of the mall and the lack of guidance from the side of the victims' parents. In fact, the gender of the victims only became the topic when you deliberately inserted this angle.
"May mga nagsasabi din sa atin...kung bakit ang bata ay humahantong sa ganito kaagang gulang ay nabibilad na po sa pakikipagkaibigan o umiibig sa kapwa lalaki lalo't ito'y bading pala, o nabubuo na yung ganong pagkatao niya. Eh meron pong nagsabi na mga taga telebisyon din ang may kasalanan niyan eh. Ang media daw ang may kasalanan dahil pagbukas mo pa lang ng telebisyon eh puro kami na nakikita niyo. Ibig sabihin, puro -pasensya na po sa termino- puro kabaklaan na raw po nakikita.
("I have been told that the reason that (male) children this young are already exposed to making friends with or being in love with other (male) children is...it is also the fault of TV. They say it is also the fault of media because the moment you turn on the TV, -sorry for the term- all you see are gay things.")
First of all, I wonder why you find issue in how early children discover their sexual orientation and gender identity. Are you implying that there is a prescribed age for us (you and I included) to express ourselves? If so, how early is too early and when is the right time? Second of all, if TV shows gay things, why is that a bad thing? It is only bad if the portrayal is based on negative stereotypes. But if mass media are able to show the diversity of gender in all its forms, that is definitely a good thing. And third, even if the media stopped showing heterosexual things, it cannot make all viewers gay. Being gay does not come from a rectangular contraption. It is more complicated than that.
"Pag bukas mo ng telebisyon, pagbukas mo ng online - ng social networking, pinapahintulutan at tinatanggap na ng publiko"
("When you turn on the TV, when you log on to online - social networking, it (homosexuality) is allowed and accepted by the public").
So are you implying that the public should not allow and accept homosexuality? I was actually glad that most major media outfits did not focus on the gender of the two victims. The question of their sexuality was only secondary to the real questions at hand - how they got through the security guards and how they got hold of a gun. I actually thought we'd made a lot of headway with the media as far as LGBT activism was concerned, until you made your thoughts public.
"Hindi po para siilin ang karapatan ng mga nasa third sex na magagaling naman talaga pagdating sa mga performance at iba pa."
("I don't mean to take away the rights of the third sex, who are also good when it comes to performances and other things.")
Thank you for the compliment, if it is such. But actually, by calling us "third sex" and perpetuating the stereotype that gays are good when it comes to "performances and other things," you have already discriminated against us and have already taken away our rights. Take my word for it Mr. Taberna, do not use the terminology "third sex." Also, I would advise you to open your mind and realize that we are not limited to "performances and other things." My partner, for example, is a university instructor who is currently a PhD Math candidate. Yes, we are capable of a wide variety of things aside from "performances."
"mukhang na-e-engangyo po ang marami na maaga pa ay i-flaunt na yung kanila pong kabaklaan."
("it seems a lot are encouraged to flaunt their gayness at a very early age.")
I see nothing wrong with flaunting "gayness" the same way that I don't see anything wrong with flaunting "straightness." You said so yourself that you do not mean to take away the rights of the "third sex." If you mean what you say, then you should not take away children's right to express their identity, i.e., to flaunt whatever they want to flaunt.
I hope I make it clear that I am not attacking you personally. I am merely engaging you in meaningful discussion to help you understand what we are fighting for and the important role you and the media play in LGBT activism.
Happy and gay,
Ron de Vera
(signed)
This opinion article was written by an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily intended to reflect those of DigitalJournal.com


Read more: http://digitaljournal.com/article/311823#ixzz1YiYALGuV


Short Reactions to Mr. Taberna's Homophobia

These are reactions to Mr Taberna's statements that can be viewed here:

http://www.pinoypride.net/video/136293/Umagang-Kay-Ganda-Sep-22-P3


1. By Reighben Labilles (Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch, Head Researcher and Spokesperson) from Facebook.

Also a reaction to all homophobic comments found on this thread:

http://www.facebook.com/ABSCBNnetwork/posts/277175178968951?cmntid=277446505608485&ref=notif&notif_t=comment_mention


What is deplorable is not that Mr. Taberna was homophobic in this video (http://www.pinoypride.net/video/136293/Umagang-Kay-Ganda-Sep-22-P3 ) with regards to the SM Pampanga Mall Shooting but he tried, poorly, to mask it as statements meaning well.

But no, after hearing and watching the video again and again, it is homophobia no matter what angle I analyze it.


Think about this:

Had the Philippines not been bigoted towards LGBT People, would this tragedy occur? If we were a more accepting, human rights-based society, the kids would have had a holistic and positive understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity. They could have been molded to have a more responsible and wise attitude towards relationships. If our society didn't spend so much time and energy demonizing the LGBT because of homophobia and transphobia based on bigoted cultural beliefs and religious dogma, these kids might have led a happy life, without resorting to violence. I hope more of us realizes that it is bigotry that we should be against. And that we should advocate for a more inclusive society for everyone.

Be an LGBT Rights activist! Join us at our FB group


2. By Ms. Mae Emmanuel from Facebook.

"Dear Anthony Taberna, There's nothing wrong in flaunting your sexuality, even at a very young age. What's wrong is flaunting your bigoted biases against other people. Miss Fierce"


3. From Rye Gaba Del Carmen from Facebook.


Anthony Taberna's comments about the SM shooting during the balitaktakan segment was really disappointing. Media is to be blamed kasi pagbukas ng TV puro kabaklaan ang nakikita? Kaya naeengganyo ang kabataan na magflaunt at an early age? That's a cheap take on the situation. I hope I misunderstood his intentions.

And (With regards to the Umagang Kay Ganda Page ):


It's interesting that the administrator of this page has made comments about Pinky Webb's absence but has not made a single statement on Anthony Taberna's gay slur. I made my first comment about it almost 24 hours ago and no one from your production / management team has given a response on it. Priorities people?


Thursday, September 22, 2011

On Flaunting by Kimber Ladd

Posted by Kimber Ladd from her personal blog. A Reaction to Taberna's (Umagang Kay Ganda) Homophobic Statements regarding this tragedy in SM Pampanga. I'll count it as a 2nd LGBT Rights Blog Fest entry.


THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2011

On Flaunting

A few days ago, our nation was shocked by the news of the teen shooting incident that happened at SM Pampanga.


Read about it here: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/232883/regions/teenage-boy-in-pampanga-shoots-male-lover-before-shooting-self%E2%80%AA

The first concern that comes to mind: Where did this kid get his goddamn gun? How did a deadly weapon like this becomes so accessible to a 13-year old? More so, how easy was it for him to bring it inside the mall? Is mall security selective in a way that it is only focused on shop lifters?


Apparently, most people in the media has other things in mind and as expected, they never fail to sensationalize. Rather than focusing on the issues of security and responsible gun ownership, they focused on the sexuality of the victims and the shooter which is irrelevant to the case. Okay, their sexual preference needed to come out to the open to establish the motive of the crime, which according to the police is love triangle. But hey, c'mon, there are 3 people involved, all of them were boys who are supposedly in a love triangle so there's a highly probability that they were gay. Big deal? And so what? Why does it matter if these kids were gay? If the victims were a guy and his mistress and the shooter, the wife, would it be such a big deal?


What really bothered me, however, is a comment that was brought to my attention by Reighben Lacsamana of the Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch (website here:http://thephilippinelgbthatecrimewatch.blogspot.com/).


Mr. Anthony Taberna, an anchor on the ABS-CBN morning show Umagang Kay Ganda stated and I quote:


"May mga nagsasabi din satin, kung bakit... ma-anguluhan lang ha. di na to tungkol sa seguridad. kung bakit ang bata ay humahantong sa ganitong ka-agang gulang ay humahantong, nabibilad na sa pagkakaibigan o umiibig sa kapwa lalake lalo na at ito'y bading. or nabubuo na ung ganong pagkatao nya. Meron din nagsasabi na mga taga telebisyon din ang may kasalanan nyan eh, media daw ang may kasalanan nyan eh. Dahil pag bukas mo ng telebisyon eh puro kami na nakikita nyo. Pasensya na po sa termino, puro kabaklaan ang nakikita nyo. Pagbukas mo ng telebisyon, pagbukas ng online social networking... pinapahintulot at tinatangap na ng publiko. Sigurod parang wake up call na din to. Hindi po para siilin ang karapatan ng mga third sex na magagaling talaga sa mga performance at iba pa. Pero mukhang naeenganyo ang marami na maaga pa ay i-flaunt na ang kabaklaan."

Watch the video here (Courtesy of pinoypride.net):
http://www.pinoypride.net/video/136293/Umagang-Kay-Ganda-Sep-22-P3

So, Mr. Taberna, ma-anguluhan lang ha, sinasabi mo ba na masama ang epekto na nagiging tanggap na ang, para gamitin ang yong termino, kabaklaan, sa lipunang Pilipino?


Ma-anguluhan lang, sinasabi mo ba na kaya ito nangyari ay dahil bakla tong mga batang ito na nagfu-flaunt nang kanilang sekswalidad sa maagang edad? Na ang pagiging bakla ay direktang magdudulot sa isang tao na kumuha ng baril, dalhin ito sa mall para barilin ang iyong kasintahan at kalaguyo nito? Hindi ba mas madalas natin itong naririnig na nangyayari sa mga heterosexual couples?


Ma-anguluhan lang ha, Mr. Taberna. Araw-araw sa telebisyon, hindi ba finu-flaunt mo ang pagiging lalake mo na heterosexual? Bakit hindi naman kami na eenganyo? Siguro marahil dahil ang pagiging bakla ay di nakakahawa sa parehong paraan na ang pagiging heterosexual ay hindi. Kung bakla ka, bakla ka. Di mo kailangan ng pang eeganyo.

Mr. Taberna, ito ba ay ayon sa mga nasabi sa iyo o sariling opinyon mo? Napakagaling ng pagkakagamit mo ng pretense of popular opinion para maiwasang direktang maibalik sa iyo ang mga anti-gay sentiments na ito. Bakit? Dahil ba alam mo sa sarili mo na nakakasuya ang pagkakaroon ng ganitong pananaw? Na sa iba-ibang dako ng mundo ay nilalabanan ng mga bakla ang ganitong klase ng pagiisip at natatanggap na ito ng mga gobyerno at lipunan na may bukas na pagiisip, pero ikaw hindi? I'm sorry, Mr. Taberna. I think I just stepped on the rock where you live under. Walang personalan, ma-anguluhan lang. Parang, para lang may masabi.


There's nothing wrong with flaunting your sexuality. Saying that we should not flaunt our gayness is tantamount to denying our individuality and the person who we really are. It's suppression of our freedom of expression and our rights, as protected by the Philippine Constitution. If you say that we should do so we won't influence the youth then where's the humanity in that? Where's the rationality in that even?


To people who are not gay, do you get judged for flaunting your masculinity or your femininity on a daily basis? No! Then why should we be?

On Reacting to Homophobes and Making Group Statements

Individual and Organizational Members of the Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch! (forgive me If couldn't tag you, because FB can't tag your name! *Read the FB Note at http://www.facebook.com/note.php?created&¬e_id=10150390567512275 )

Please direct your attention to this video: http://www.pinoypride.net/video/136293/Umagang-Kay-Ganda-Sep-22-P3

Earlier, it was my impression that it was only somewhat offensive. But after hearing it again, and again, I have realized that Taberna used his journalistic skills to mask his intense homophobia. And as such, this must be reprimanded. It has been the view of Marlon Lacsamana, Rev. Ceejay Agbayani, Oscar Atadero, and Ging Cristobal that we make a statement against this.

At first, I was apprehensive as I shared an initial opinion with fellow Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch member Chris Salvatierra that Mr. Taberna had a way out. But no, he doesn't.

I have meditated on this and reflected on the statements and manner of delivery of Mr. Taberna and I now support the views of Marlon, Ceejay, Oscar, and Ging. We shall make and release a statement on this.

But I have emphasized that this is a membership organization and above all I value the voice of many above the voice of the few. So I implore you, all of you, whether you have been tagged to this post or not to provide your view of Taberna's statement. The final statement of the Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch shall be composed of the views of all.

While you guys are at it, post your opinions on the article linked below as we're going to create a statement on it also: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/09/21/11/pnoy-sympathizes-gay-rights-not-gay-adoption

From now on, let's make statement-making for the Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch communal! Of course, ultimately, only a handful will write and edit it (depending on the availability) but the contents and views in it should be reflective of the members' statements as much as possible. Let's make the Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch a revolutionary advocacy with revolutionary methods!

Thank You.

Sincerely,
Reighben Earl Wysten M. Labilles
Head Researcher and Spokesperson
The Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch
http://thephilippinelgbthatecrimewatch.blogspot.com
09179714096
http://www.facebook.com/reighben
http://www.facebook.com/groups/philippinelgbthatecrimewatch/

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

2nd Hate Crime Watch Everyone-Is-Invited General Meet-up

Event Page is at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=223849937671867

Time
Saturday, October 1 · 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Location
Cafe Molinari (Beside Treehouse), Matalino St, Barangay Central, Diliman, Quezon City

Created By


To get to know the Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch, Read this Blog Page:http://thephilippinelgbthatecrimewatch.blogspot.com/2011/09/philippine-lgbt-hate-crime-watch.html

Mark your calendars LGBT Rights Heroes! We're going to meet again this October 1, 2011! This time around, bring your friends, relatives, office mates and acquaintances. Let's get to know each other. Let's share with each other our opinions on the state and well-being of LGBT Filipinos. Specifically, we'll talk about:

1. What kind of prejudice do LGBT Filipinos experience? What are its roots?
2. How, in our own mundane ways, can we fight against it?
3. Finally, let's talk about the LGBT Blog Fest: Details can be found on this page:http://thephilippinelgbthatecrimewatch.blogspot.com/2011/09/lgbt-rights-blog-fest.html
4. How, in our own regular Joe/Jane/Joe-Jane capabilities, do we inspire more people to join our advocacy?
5. Are you happy with QC as a meet-up area? If not, where do you want to meet-up in?
6. Who can be with us on Oct 4 2011, 8am, at the Quezon City RTC to support Ricky Rivero for his on-going case against Hanz Ivan Ruiz?

7. We're going to have a mini writing workshop care of Oscar Atadero! :) He's going to teach us how to write press statements. :) *We may change venues so we can accommodate this activity! We'll keep you posted!*



*Note: October 1 is still quite a while away, if you want to meet-up elsewhere, just post your comments and suggestions in the event page wall!*

Please invite people to come folks! Don't be shy!

Thank you!

-Reighben Earl Wysten M. Labilles
Head Researcher and Spokerperson
The Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch
09179714096

Friday, September 16, 2011

He's Gay and I Love Him

First LGBT Rights Blog Fest Entry. First posted in Facebook Notes.


by Doreen Era E. Murata on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 9:35am

"Bakla yan teh, wag mo na pangarapin, di kayo niyan talo."


Lagi lagi na lang yan ang naririnig ko sa mga ka-tropa ko kapag may itinuturo akong lalake at sinasabi ko na crush ko. Madalas, nagpapadyak ako at humahaba ang nguso sabay bulong ng " Anu ba yan?! Sobrang sarap na ba talaga ng mga lalake at sila silang nagtitikiman?" na sasagutin naman ng mga bakla kong kaibigan ng "Naman teh! Kelangan pa ba i-memorize yan?"


And we will all burst out laughing.


Yun ang makulay na bahagi ng pagiging bading at pagkakaroon ng mga kaibigan at kapamilyang bading. Maluha luha ka na at napapatumbling ka na sa stress ay nakukuha mo pa ring maging masaya kapag andyan sila.


Ang kabilang mukha nito ay ang hirap at sakit na nararamdaman ng mga babaeng (kagaya ko!) ay tumitibok ang puso sa mga lalakeng ang tinitibok naman ng puso ay kapareho din nilang lalake din. Masakit, may kirot at panghihinayang. Subalit, lagi kong inaalala ang sinabi ng Mom ko noon (at sinabi din sa pelikulang Zombading) na ang pagmamahal at pag-ibig ay walang kinikilalang kasarian. Kung mahal mo yung tao, mahal mo siya ng buong-buo,walang "dapat ganito,dapat ganyan" na issue. Package deal, wika nga nila.


May kirot man sa damdamin kapag sinasabing "bakla" ang lalakeng bet ko, tinatawa ko na lang. Anung magagawa ko ei sa kanya ko nakikita ang mga katangiang nihahanap ko sa mamahalin ko. At nagagawa niyang patawanin ako kahit na ang gusto ko na lang ay mag lupasay at mang-warla dahil sa inis.


Bakla man ay may karapatan din silang umibig at ibigin. Katulad ng mga taong itinuturing ng lipunan na "normal" tao din sila, kapantay ng lahat sa paggalang at sa kalayaan. Maaring naiiba sila sa pananaw ng nakakarami. Subalit, naging kakaiba lang naman sila sapagkat nagpapakatotoo sila sa kanilang sarili.


Siguro nga dapat silang tularan ng lahat - malaya, makatotohanan at nagsusumikap lumigaya.

Kaya sa susunod na sasabihin sa akin ng mga katropa ko na "Teh, bakla yan", sasagutin ko na ng "Oo, at mahal ko siya. May problema?".


XoXo.