Weeqender on the fly!

Words of the Gay: Mariah Carey, Backstreet Boys

weeqender — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:41:03 +0000

This week’s theme: Artists/Singers of 1990s

Ah, 1990s, the decade of boy bands, girl bands.

Remember Hansons vs. The Moffatts, ‘N Sync vs. Backstreet Boys, and Spice Girls vs., er… Spice Girls? Many of them may have not returned to the limelight (we won’t drop names here) but even so, we say in full confidence that they totally forgotten because they have taken earned a spot in the rich and ever-changing word pool called gay lingo.

Here is proof.

Mariah Carey – cheap; Mariah sounds like mura, which is Filipino for cheap

Ex.: Akala ko kukulanging ako ng pera , buti na lang Mariah Carey and pagkain dito! (I thought I was going to run short of cash, good thing the food here is Mariah Carey!)

Backstreet Boys – cute boys standing behind someone; best used when people watching.

Ex.: Backstreet Boys alert! ‘Wag kang titingin sa likod! (Backstreet Boys alert! Don’t look behind you!)
Stay tuned for next Tuesday’s Words of the Gay!

Get to know the Filipino gay: Bakla and the other names we go by

weeqender — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 02:35:42 +0000

Here is a list of names used to refer to gays in the Philippines.

Acheng – Slang for ate or older sister; similar to Mama (see below)
Agi
Bading – one of the most commonly used terms to refer to gays
Badaf – term for gays that was popular from the 1970s to 1980s. Charing, a Filipino gay band has a song entitled “B.A.D.A.F. Forever”.
Badash
Baki – Gays with big built. The name Baki was derived from an anime series, Baki the Grappler, and has been used to allude to the act of grappling during the sex.
Bakla – Filipino term for gay, one of the most commonly used terms to refer to gays
Baklita – (Bakla+ ita) Filipino for gay. Literally means smaller or younger gay; Ita is a Spanish suffix added to denote someone who is younger. Take senora and senorita.
Badingerzee or Badinggerzie - Alternative of bading; the suffix “zee” was added to make the name gayer
Bayot – Visayan term for gay
Becky (variations are Becky Aguila, Bex, Vektas, Bekbek, Beki)
Binabae
Charot
Joding – from the word bading
Maila – short for ‘may lawit” or “has a penis”
Mama – term of endearment of a gay to a fellow gay
Sister or sistah – term of endearment of an LGBT to a gay
Vaklush, Veklush, Vadash

Derogatory terms

These are big no-nos for gays. We only listed these to inform readers what we shouldn’t call gays and to be more sensitive. After all, you wouldn’t want to be called names. So let’s make a mental note to never say these:

Chicksilog – Short for “chick na may itlog”, which literally translates to chick with balls. Chicksilog (fried chicken, sinangag or fried rice, and itlog or egg) is originally a breakfast dish popular in the Philippines. A song with the title “Chicksilog” popularized the term.
Mancho/manchu – short for manchuchupa or someone who gives head
Pinchi Maricon
Pillowbiters
Fairies
Anal fishers
Fudge packers

International LGBT group gets consultative status at UN

weeqender — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 03:04:28 +0000

A victory against homophobic silencing of civil society

From IGLHRC: On July 19, 2010, the full United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) voted in favor of a US-led resolution to grant the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) consultative status. IGLHRC is only the tenth organization working primarily for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) human rights to gain such status at the United Nations.

“Today’s decision is an affirmation that the voices of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people have a place at the United Nations as part of a vital civil society community,” said Cary Alan Johnson, IGLHRC Executive Director. “The clear message here is that these voices should not be silenced and that human rights cannot be denied on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.”

The resolution passed with 23 in favor, 13 against, 13 abstentions and 5 absences.

This victory is particularly significant, coming as it does after a prolonged 3-year application process in the sub-committee that makes initial recommendations on status. Despite full compliance with all procedures IGLHRC faced deferrals, homophobic questioning, and procedural roadblocks in the ECOSOC NGO Committee.

Today’s decision overturned a “no-action” vote in the NGO-committee that threatened to establish a dangerous precedent and the possibility of organizations deemed controversial being continuously denied the opportunity to have their application put to a vote even after undergoing the required review.

The vote also signals a recognition of the important role of a diverse and active civil society at the UN. In support of progress on IGLHRC’s application, a group of over 200 NGOs from 59 countries endorsed a letter to all UN Member States, demanding fair and non-discriminatory treatment and supporting IGLHRC’s goal of amplifying LGBT voices in the international arena.

“As human rights defenders and LGBT people living in countries where homophobic discrimination is a daily reality, we celebrate the accreditation of IGLHRC at the UN,” said Frank Mugisha, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), one of 13 NGOs from Uganda to publicly call for IGLHRC to be accredited. ”IGLHRC’s access to the UN means that we too will have greater access to international human-rights mechanisms that can prove invaluable to LGBT people’s lives.”

The government of the United States stood strongly behind IGLHRC’s application, calling for a vote in both the NGO Committee and ECOSOC. Ambassador Susan Rice, US Permanent Representative to the United Nations, publicly supported IGLHRC’s application. Additionally,14 members of the US House of Representatives and 4 Senators sent letters of support for IGLHRC’s application to all UN Member States. Among them were Senator John Kerry, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and Congressman Howard Berman, Chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

The victory continues the upward trajectory for LGBT rights at the UN. It allows IGLHRC to participate in a more formal way through attending meetings, submitting statements and collaborating with the UN and governments in the international human-rights arena.

“We celebrate this decision,” stated Toni Reis, president of the Brazilian LGBT group, Associação Brasileira de Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais, Travestis e Transexuais (ABGLT) – that in 2009 was the last LGBT organization to receive status. “It is crucial that LGBT NGOs have the opportunity to participate in the UN human rights debate – though in future, organizations should receive full and fair reviews before the NGO Committee itself.”

Despite the limited opportunities offered to non-accredited NGOs, IGLHRC has a long history of advocating at the UN for the rights of all people, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. The organization advocated for sexual rights to be included in the official discussions at the 1995 UN Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing; spoke at the first UN General Assembly meeting on HIV and AIDS in 2001; and in recent years has been part of a collaboration between NGOs and supportive States that resulted in the groundbreaking 2008 UNGA Declaration on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, signed by 67 UN Member States.

The votes on this resolution granting IGLHRC special consultative status were as follows:

Vote For – 23

Argentina
Australia
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
Chile
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Guatemala
Italy
Japan
Liechtenstein
Malta
Norway
Peru
Poland
Rep. of Korea
Slovenia
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay

Votes Against – 13

Bangladesh
China
Comoros
Egypt
Malaysia
Morocco
Namibia
Niger
Pakistan
Russian Fed.
Saudi Arabia
Venezuela
Zambia

Abstaining – 13

Bahamas
Cote D’Ivoire
Ghana
India
Mauritius
Mongolia
Mozambique
Philippines
Rep. of Moldova
Rwanda
Saint Kitts & Nevis
Turkey
Ukraine

Absent – 5

Cameroon
Congo
Guinea-Bissau
Iraq
Saint Lucia

The mission of The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) is advancing human rights for everyone, everywhere to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. A non-profit, non-governmental organization, IGLHRC is based in New York, with offices in Cape Town and Buenos Aires. Visit http://www.iglhrc.org for more information.

Ang LADLAD chair reacts on Saudi’s gay and lesbian ban

weeqender — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 11:12:44 +0000

Ang LADLAD chair Bemz Benedito speaks at Unang Hirit

Bemz Benedito, incoming chair of Ang LADLAD, the national organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Filipinos, guested on Unang Hirit with Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Marianito Roque to talk about Saudi Arabia’s ban on gay and lesbian OFWs. (Read related story).

In the said interview, Benedito pointed out that the Saudi Arabia’s “third sex” ban is an act of discrimination as it robs gay and lesbian Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) the right to livelihood. She appealed to the Department on Foreign Affairs to make a stand and break its silence, and to DOLE to protect LGBT migrant workers and prevent LGBTs from working in countries with policies against homosexuality like Saudi Arabia.

While there are laws against discrimination in hiring workers in the Philippines, DOLE Secretary Roque was quick to clarify that the issue boils down to respect; DOLE respects Saudi Arabia’s order to ban gays and lesbians, just as he would like foreigners to respect the Filipino culture when they visit the Philippines. He also expressed that the hiring ban may not be exclusive to the Philippines.

As for Filipino gays and lesbian currently working in Saudi, you need not worry as the gay and lesbian ban applies only to job applicants.

Watch the interview here (Filipino language):

This page requires a higher version browser

Video courtesy of GMANews.TV

Ang LADLAD to party, raise funds at Pink Pride Party tonight

weeqender — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 06:34:54 +0000

Ang LADLAD, the national organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Filipinos, and The Lounge invite everyone to join its fundraising event Out & Proud Pink Pride Party, tonight. June 2, at The Lounge, Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

The party is hosted by Kris Loyola, together with event promoter Prince Vinny and TV host Coolai Concepcion. Music/House anthem is courtesy of DJ Jenil Party.

Party starts at 9PM. Door charge is Php 200 with inclusive drink.

* * * * *

ANG LADLAD is a national organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Filipinos, whose members are either LGBT organizations or individuals, or their heterosexual supporters. The group has made history as the world’s first LGBT partylist to participate in an election. For more info, visit www.angladlad.com.

The Lounge is located at the second floor of Bellagio Square, Sct. Fuentebella cor. Tomas Morato Ave., Quezon City.

Glee’s Jane Lynch and gf tie the knot

weeqender — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 04:21:21 +0000

Newly weds Jane Lynch and Dr. Lara Embry (photo courtesy of zimbio.com)

You may remember Jane Lynch, the scheming cheerios coach in popular hit TV series Glee, as the ever-sarcastic and mean faculty superstar. But last Monday, May 30, she was all smiles as she and longtime girlfriend, Dr. Lara Embry, tied the knot at Blue Heron Restaurant in Sunderland, Massachusetts, according to Us magazine.

The two exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony at the restaurant’s patio, where Lynch wore “a cream wrap blouse and black slacks” and Embry was garbed in a “cream and black cocktail-length frock”. The event begun at 5:30 PM and went on until 10 PM. They were engaged last November.

Jane Lynch is an out and proud lesbian. She has she is a series regular on “Glee,” a hugely popular show that won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series

For a photo of the wedding, visit Us magazine’s report.

Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester in Glee

“Don’t hire ‘third sex’ or else” – Saudi Arabia Embassy to Philippine recruitment agencies

weeqender — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 01:55:59 +0000

By Weeqender.com

In a recent memorandum circulated to accredited recruitment agencies in the Philippines, the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia explicitly instructed the companies to thoroughly screen work applicants to exclude lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBTs), or else they will be permanently discredited by the embassy.

The memorandum came out on May 26 and has also been circulating among LGBTs and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in online forums and social networking websites.

Gerald (not his real name), an OFW subscribed to an online forum, asked about the repercussions of the memo to LGBT migrant workers in Saudi Arabia. “Paano kung nandito na ako sa Saudi? Papauwiin kaya nila ako pag nalaman nilang gay ako? So kailangan ko bang mag-pa-hombre effect? (What if I’m already here in Saudi? Will they deport me if they find out I’m gay? So I need to act like a man then?)”

The memorandum also used “third sex”, a derogatory term for LGBTs in the Philippines. Weeqender was able to get the text of the memorandum sent by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia from a concerned LGBT rights activist (see text below).

“Discriminative move”

Bemz Benedito of Ang LADLAD, the world’s first LGBT partylist, stated in her facebook account, “Ang LADLAD Party List strongly condemns this discriminative move. We also encourage everyone to be vigilant up to the international community. We hope that human rights on sexual orientation should be upheld and gay or lesbian’s right to work and to live not be hampered.”

Based on the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency’s 2009 statistics, there are 291,419 skilled and unskilled Filipino working in Saudi Arabia, many of whom are teachers, nurses, caregivers and domestic helpers. Saudi Arabia is the top destination of Overseas Filipino workers for nursing and IT-related jobs, and is the country with the third highest remittances. With this memo, LGBTs seeking greener pastures stand to lose the opportunity to earn and a chance at a better life, regardless of how competent they are in their chosen field of work.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) believes the anti-LGBT memo was brought about by reports of an alleged gay pageant organized in Riyadh last March.

Saudi Arabia has been vocal about its stand against LGBTs as the Sharia or Islamic law strictly forbids “homosexual acts.” According to an ABS-CBN report, 67 suspected gays were arrested in Riyadh in June 2009 for dressing up in women’s clothes and were forced to resign for fear of being slapped with charges. In March this year, another suspected gay who posted a “sexually suggestive” video of himself in YouTube was arrested, fined $1,330 and sentenced with 1,000 lashes and a year in jail.

“Violation of rights”

By singling out sexual orientation and gender identity as criterion for disqualification, the memo violates gender equality in the workplace being advanced by the International Labor Organization (ILO).

The ILO’s Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) defines discrimination as “any distinction, exclusion or preference made on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin… (and) such other distinction, exclusion or preference which has the effect of nullifying or impairing equality of opportunity or treatment in employment or occupation.”

As one of the Member States that ratified the Convention, the Philippines is required to “modify any administrative instructions or practices which are inconsistent with this policy” and uphold equality in work opportunities in all instances because “discrimination constitutes a violation of rights enunciated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”

According to an ILO report, “Old forms of discrimination – based on gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, unfair treatment of young or older persons, people with disabilities, persons living with HIV/AIDS, or on the basis of sexual orientation – remain rampant in some societies and cultures.”

In the same report, ILO Director-General Juan Somavia stated “Discrimination at work is ‘a violation of human rights’ that literally wastes human talents, with detrimental effects on productivity and economic growth… Discrimination generates ‘socio-economic inequalities that undermine social cohesion and solidarity and is a brake on poverty reduction.”

(Memorandum)

TO: ALL SAUDI EMBASSY-ACCREDITED RECRUITMENT AGENCIES (MANILA)

FROM: ROYAL EMBASSY OF SAUDI ARABIA (CONSULAR SECTION)

DATE: 26-MAY-2010

Official of recruitment agencies who are responsible in conducting interviews of job applicants to Saudi Arabia are strongly advised to screen them thoroughly so that those belonging to the third sex are excluded.

The accreditation of recruitment agencies found to have failed to observe this advisory will be permanently terminated.

For strict compliance.

ROYAL EMBASSY OF SAUDI ARABIA

Same sex couple convicted in Malawi; IGLHRC condemns conviction, ongoing discrimination

weeqender — Thu, 20 May 2010 05:20:50 +0000

Sam sex couple convicted in Malawi; IGLHRC condemns conviction, ongoing discrimination

(Cape Town, May 18, 2010) – The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) and the Malawian organization the Center for the Development of People (CEDEP) condemn today’s conviction by a Magistrate Court in Blantyre, Malawi of Tiwonge (”Tionge”) Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza for “unnatural offences” and “indecent practices between males” under Sections 153 and 156 of the Malawi Penal Code. The Court is expected to sentence the two on May 20th and issue the full judgment within three weeks. Chimbalanga and Monjeza face up to fourteen years in prison with the possibility of hard labour.

“By ignoring basic standards of evidence, this ruling undermines Malawi’s commitment to the rule of law and jeopardizes the human rights of all Malawians,” said Chivuli Ukwimi, Health and Human Rights Officer of IGLHRC. “In a context of escalating persecution of LGBT Malawians, this decision damages life-saving efforts to address HIV and AIDS.”

Monjeza and Chimbalanga have been held in Chichiri Prison in Blantyre since December 28, 2009, when they were arrested after a traditional engagement ceremony attended by family and friends. Following their arrest, Chimbalanga was forced to undergo an involuntary anal examination and both were forced to undergo an involuntary psychiatric evaluation. The two were repeatedly denied bail – a decision severely criticized as unjust by the Malawi Law Society. There have been reports of the Court allowing the couple to be subjected to humiliating treatment during the trial, including being mocked for their relationship by trial attendees and being forced to clean up vomit after one of them became ill.

IGLHRC has written a letter to Malawi President to condemn the conviction and ongoing discrimination against Monjeza and Chimbalanga.

Today’s ruling is part of a broader pattern of mounting pressure and persecution on LGBT people by authorities in Malawi. This persecution has come from the highest levels of government. On April 23rd, President Bingu wa Mutharika reportedly denounced homosexuality as “un-Malawian,” “evil” and “disgusting” and linked it to corruption, violence, theft and prostitution. Days later, on April 26th and again on the 27th, police appeared at a conference on the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) populations in HIV/AIDS programming. Police demanded the names of conference organizers, seized copies of the conference program, and inquired about specific individuals believed to be in attendance. Police refused to present a warrant or justification for the intimidation.

Speaking after today’s decision, Dunker Kamba, Adminstrator of CEDEP, said, “This judgment is going to drive the gay community further into hiding. It is not only a ruling against Steven and Tionge but the whole LGBT community in Malawi and Africa.”

These incidents violate the Constitution of Malawi and the human rights treaties to which Malawi is a party. The continued discrimination and persecution of people on the basis of their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity threatens to undermine the right to privacy, the right to non-discrimination and equality before the law, and freedoms of assembly, association, opinion, and expression that all Malawians are entitled to enjoy.

* * * * *

The mission of The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) is advancing human rights for everyone, everywhere to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. A non-profit, non-governmental organization, IGLHRC is based in New York, with offices in Cape Town and Buenos Aires. Visit http://www.iglhrc.org for more information.

Lesbian+hetero band FATT plays at Back2Back2Back

weeqender — Thu, 20 May 2010 02:12:30 +0000

On-Air Studio in cooperation with Merci Bar and Restaurant presents BACK2BACK2BACK, a music party of different music genres, on May 21, Friday at Merci Bar and Restaurant, Timog Avenue, Quezon City.

The event features glam rock band Flush and the Toilets, Jaycie and Honey and Breast Pump. Flush and Toilets, also known as FATT in the LGBT circle, is composed of out and proud lesbians Amrei Dizon (vocals), Che Santos (drums) and Roma Regala (bass), and hetero John Villareal (guitar). FATT is also a regular performer at Lunduyan ng Sining’s Lemonites (Lesbian Monday Nites).

Entrance to the event is free. Live music starts at 9PM.

For more gigs sked and studio or music equipment rental, check out On Air Studio’s website.

Out and about: Visa-free travels for Filipinos

weeqender — Wed, 19 May 2010 09:53:33 +0000

ADMIT IT, for those among you who travel abroad and run on a tight sked, visa application can be a hassle. Same goes for me, I had to go somewhere important and everything from hotel to flight bookings has been arranged, but two weeks before my departure, my visa was denied.

Sometimes, the reason why our visa application was denied is clear as sky, other times it’s just baffling. Regardless of how much you ache for that theme park you’ve pined for since childhood, or that biannual expo with out-of-this world exhibits, there are things that are out of our control.

But frankly, if you have so much moolah to spend, why insist on wasting them in a place where you are unwanted when there are other countries who are willing to take you in? Seriously.

Take a look at our list of countries that don’t require visas for Philippine-passport holders and perhaps you’d consider going there.

Andorra – 90 days
Bahamas
Bermuda – 90 days
Bolivia –with exception of business visa
Brazil – 90 days
British Virgin Islands
Brunei Darussalam – 14 days
Cambodia – with exception of business visa
Colombia – 180 days; with exception of business visa
Cook Islands – 31 days
Costa Rica – with exception of business visa
Ecuador – 90 days
Fiji – tourist not required
Galapagos islands
Haiti – 90 days
Hong Kong – maximum of 14 days
Indonesia – maximum of 30 days
Israel – maximum of 90 days
Jeju island in South Korea- 30 days
Macau – maximum of 30 days
Malaysia – maximum of 30 days
Maldives – maximum of 30 days
Micronesia – maximum of 30 days, with exception of business visa
Mongolia – maximum of 21 days
Montenegro
Morocco – maximum of 90 days
Nauru
Palau – with exception of business visa
Palestine – with exception of business visa
Peru – 90 days; with exception of business visa
Saint Helena – 90 days; with exception of business visa
Saint Vincent and Grenadines
Samoa – unknown days
Seychelees – 30 days; with exception of business visa
Singapore – maximum of 14 days
Sri Lanka – 30 days; with exception of business visa
South Korea
Suriname – 90 days; with exception of business visa
Thailand – 30 days; with exception of business visa
Tuvalu – 90 days; with exception of business visa

Reference: www.visahq.com and personal research

- – -

Copyright © 2010 by Weeqender.com | Maica L. All Rights Reserved. *Out and about: Visa-free travels for Filipinos* was first published on www.weeqender.com. For crossposting, please (1) leave a comment, (2) credit the article to Weeqender: LGBT Travel & Lifestyle Magazine Blog and (3) link the article to www.weeqender.com.

No part of this article or in whole can be reproduced or printed without prior consent from the author. Email us at weeqender@gmail.com.