UP Babaylan

UP Babaylan x Purple Hearts Day

2012-02-14T02:21:00.002+08:00

UP Babaylan x MEGA Young Designers Competition 2012

2012-02-12T12:26:00.001+08:00

Congratulations to our alumni MARA and RENAN for making it to the Final 6 of MEGA YDC! UP Babaylan is very proud of you two. 2012 is definitely the Year of Babaylan! :)

UP Babaylan x SineBahaghari

2012-02-10T12:04:00.000+08:00

UP Babaylan x SineBahaghari

2012-02-10T12:03:00.000+08:00

Sine Bahaghari--cinematic expressions of the Philippine LGBT experience!

Admission is open & free.

11 February 2012 | Saturday

Opening Night
Chef's Bistro, Tomas Morato

5PM
Next Attraction (2008)
Raya Martin

7PM
Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa (2011)
Alvin B. Yapan & Alem Ang

18 February 2012 | Saturday

"Brocka & the Bakla"
UPFI Film Center Videotheque

2PM & 5PM
How has the bakla—the Filipino male homosexual identity—evolved in Philippine society? In two films, we discover how National Artist for Film Lino Brocka explores and exposes the bakla, touching on class, effeminacy & the closet.

24 February 2012 | Friday

Cinema is Incomplete, Anonas

7PM
Señorita (2011)
Vincent Sandoval

9PM
Muli (2010)
Adolfo Alix Jr.

25 February 2012 | Saturday

Kanto, The Collective, Makati

4:00 PM
Little (2009)
Sigrid Bernardo

4:30PM
Babae (2005)
Sigrid Bernardo

5:30PM
Señorita (2011)
Vincent Sandoval

GENDER IDENTITY IS A HUMAN RIGHT

2012-02-10T03:04:00.000+08:00

The official position of the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP) on House Bill No. 4530 and Senate Bill No. 3113 also known as "An act further authorizing the city of municipal civil registrar or the consul general to correct clerical or typographical errors in the date of birth or sex or a person appearing in the civil register without need of a judicial order amending for this purpose the pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 9048"

As the day of hearts fast approaches, we, the members of the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP)*, are heartbroken that members of Congress (REPRESENTATIVES GUNIGUNDO, ROMUALDO, MIRAFLORES, ALVAREZ (M.), ESPINA, ARNAIZ, RODRIGUEZ (R.), RODRIGUEZ (M.), TUPAS, CASIÑO AND RELAMPAGOS) and the Senate (SENATORS TRILLANES AND ESCUDERO) are seeking to amend Republic Act (RA) 9048 or the Clerical Error Law of 2001 that would effectively illegalize the lives and identities of transgender/transsexual Filipinos including those who are intersex.

Section 5 of HB 4530 and SB 3113 reads "NO PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ERRONEOUS ENTRY CONCERNING THE DATE OF BIRTH OR THE SEX OF A PERSON SHALL BE ENTERTAINED EXCEPT IF THE PETITION IS ACCOMPANIED BY EARLIEST SCHOOL RECORD OR EARLIEST CIVIL DOCUMENTS SUCH AS, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, MEDICAL RECORDS, BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE AND OTHER DOCUMENTS ISSUED BY RELIGIOUS AUTHORITIES; NOR SHALL ANY ENTRY INVOLVING CHANGE OF GENDER CORRECTED EXCEPT IF THE PETITION IS ACCOMPANIED BY A CERTIFICATION ISSUED BY AN ACCREDITED GOVERNMENT PHYSICIAN ATTESTING TO THE FACT THAT THE PETITIONER HAS NOT UNDERGONE SEX CHANGE OR SEX TRANSPLANT.(emphasis ours)"

While we note that our lawmakers recognize the reality of surgical sex change, or more correctly sex reassignment surgery (SRS), we are dismayed that they seem to be in denial of the very idea behind this medical procedure that has been available since the 1920's:

a) that sex does and can be changed ;

b) that there exist people in society who prefer a gender or have a gender identity/expression other than the one recorded in their birth certificates, now known under the modern terms transgender/transsexual (trans for short) or intersex;

c) and that recognizing trans and intersex people under the law means respecting and affirming the gender they choose or prefer.

In fact, many nations across the globe have taken steps to recognize their trans and intersex citizens' right to a chosen gender identity such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Nepal, Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, South Africa, some jurisdictions in the United States and other countries based on evidence that not having documents that reflect their gender identity/expression make them vulnerable to prejudice and discrimination. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, in a statement in September 2011, has herself underscored the importance of protecting the right to legal sex change and called on all states of the world "to review their own laws, policies and practices to ensure that discrimination against transgender and intersex individuals is addressed in a systematic and effective way."

Clearly, the above-mentioned legislative initiatives from both chambers of the Philippine House of Representatives are a step in the wrong direction. Moreover, HB 4530 and SB 3113 perpetuate anti-transgender or transphobic attitudes and justify the marginalization of trans and intersex people in Philippine society. Their subscription to a medical view of transsexualism/intersexuality also contributes to the continued pathologization of a minority who, in their daily lives, have to confront violence, abuse, torture, and cruel and inhumane treatment based on their gender identity or gender expression.

We, the members of the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP), therefore urge members of Congress and the Senate to recognize and accept the reality of sex and gender diversity and recall HB 4530 and SB 3113. Instead, we ask them to amend RA 9048 in a way that would lead to a better quality of life for trans and intersex Filipinos by allowing us to change our first name and sex in the birth certificate in simple and easy steps. As well, we urge Congress and the Senate, to immediately pass legislation recognizing trans and intersex Filipino citizens in our chosen gender with no requirement for surgical modification of the body.

In closing, we note with irony that SB 3113 was filed in the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights. Justice for and the protection of the human rights of trans and intersex Filipinos will be best served if the government heeds the call to end violence, criminal sanctions and related human rights violations based on gender identity or expression in the Philippines. Justice for and the protection of the human rights of trans and intersex Filipinos will only truly begin by recognizing us as people under the law as the gender we say we are. Justice for and the protection of the human rights of trans and intersex Filipinos will only prevail if the government accepts that its right to identify its citizens by gender stops at the right of those citizens to determine their own gender identity. Our gender identity is our human right. Help us protect it.

___________________________

* The Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP) is the pioneer support group and human rights advocacy organization of transpinays (transgender/transsexual Filipinas). We seek to improve the public understanding of transsexualism, campaign for the right to define one's gender identity and expression and work towards building a supportive community amongst transgender/transsexual Filipina girls and women and a society free from transphobia and discrimination.

UP Babaylan x Domino (Jessie J.)

2012-02-09T13:11:00.000+08:00

UP BABAYLAN x DIVERCITY

2012-02-07T11:52:00.000+08:00

Go all out. The city's a runway.

2012-01-22T22:41:00.001+08:00

Go all out.
This city's a runway.

Diversity. Diverse City.
DIVERCITY.

Mark your calendars: 18 FEB 2012

UP JMA Publicity Event
_________________________________
Photography by Joseph Pascual
Make-up by Kim Alcoreza
Styling by UP ACTS

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/pubeventDIVERCITY
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER:
www.twitter.com/upjmapubevent

ACLE 2012: RIGHTS & RELIGION

2012-01-17T03:40:00.002+08:00

Alternative Classroom Learning Experience
RIGHTS & RELIGION - a forum on LGBT Rights and the Catholic Church
January 20, 2012 (FRIDAY) 1:00-5:00 pm, Palma Hall 116-118

Rev. Richard R. Mickley, CDOS, OSAe, Ph.D.
Bishop, Catholic Diocese of One Spirit, Philippines
Abbot, The Order of St. Aelred
St. Aelred Friendship Society

Mr. Argel Tucson
Graduate student of Theology, Maryhill School of Theology
Former professor of Theology, Adamson University

Rev. Ceejay Agbayani
Administrative Pastor, Metropolitan Community Church - Quezon City
Master of Divinity - Christianity and Culture, Union Theological Seminary

Ready your closets.

2012-01-15T22:38:00.000+08:00

Ready the closets.
You can't go wrong with the style in this city.

Diversity. Diverse City.
DIVERCITY.

Mark your calendars: 18 FEB 2012

UP JMA Publicity Event

_________________________________
Photography by Joseph Pascual
Make-up by Kim Alcoreza
Styling by UP ACTS

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/pubeventDIVERCITY
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER:
www.twitter.com/upjmapubevent

LGBT Pride. More fun in Babaylan!

2012-01-11T17:42:00.000+08:00

New Year. New City.

2012-01-01T22:36:00.000+08:00

A new city will rise...

2011-12-29T22:35:00.000+08:00

This 2012,
a new city will rise.

Diversity. Diverse City.
DIVERCITY.

Mark your calendars: 18 FEB 2012

UP JMA Publicity Event
_________________________________
Photography by Joseph Pascual
Make-up by Kim Alcoreza
Styling by UP ACTS

Happy Holidays from UP BABAYLAN

2011-12-25T01:51:00.003+08:00

We thank you for your continued support for Gender Equality. We wish everyone a Happy Holiday season! May the New Year prove to be a better year for the LGBT community. We look forward to a New Year with more advocates for GENDER EQUALITY!

https://www.facebook.com/upbabaylan

LET US ALL HELP MINDANAO!

2011-12-22T05:22:00.002+08:00

To learn more how you can help, please go here:
http://www.redcross.org.ph/donatenow

UP BABAYLAN applauds the first ever Report on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) issued by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

2011-12-21T13:19:00.001+08:00

You can view and download the report HERE.

UP Babaylan x MEGA Young Designers Competition

2011-12-19T00:16:00.000+08:00

We are proud of our UP Babaylan alumni Renan and Mara who are both competing at the Mega Young Designers Competition 2011. Watch them every Saturday 7pm on ETC. You make UP Babaylan proud!

Watch the episodes online HERE.
Check out the MEGA facebook page HERE.

UP Babaylan x Help MindaNOW !

2011-12-18T21:00:00.000+08:00

UP Babaylan @ 2011 UP Lantern Parade

2011-12-17T07:18:00.000+08:00

UP Babaylan x National Human Rights Commission LGBT Forum

2011-12-10T03:12:00.000+08:00

UP Babaylan attended the 11th National Human Rights Forum of the Presidential Human Rights Committee with the theme "LGBT Ngayon: Lalim ng Pag-unawa, Antas ng Pagtanggap" on

09 December, from 9am to 5pm at the Richmonde Hotel in Eastwood City. Present during the forum with several notable LGBT organizations and allies.

11^th National Human Rights Forum

LGBT Ngayon: Lalim ng Pagunawa at Antas ng Pagtanggap

Date: 9 December 2011, 8:30am-5:00pm

Venue: Richmonde Hotel, Eastwood City

Moderator: Dir. Nolivienne Ermitaño

9:00am – 9:30am REGISTRATION

9:31am – 9:36am PRELIMINARIES

· National Anthem

· Invocation

9:37am – 9:47am WELCOME REMARKS

· USec. Severo Catura, PHRC

· Introduction of participants and guests

9:48am – 9:58am KEYNOTE MESSAGE

· Ms. Rena Dona

Assistant Country Representative

United Nations Populations Fund

SNACKS

9:59am – 10:34am LGBT 101: An Introduction

· What is LGBT?

· What is sexual orientation?

· What is gender identity?

· What is gender expression?

· History of LGBT research and updates

Speaker: Mr. Eric Manalastas

Psychological Association of the

Philippines

Note: 15 minutes presentation and 20 minutes open forum

10:35am – 11:10am Transgender 101

Speaker: Ms. Bemz Benedito

Ladlad

Note: 15 minutes presentation and 20 minutes open forum

11:11am – 11:46am PERSPECTIVES:

· LGBT and Society

Speaker: Dr. Emmanuel de Guzman

Polytechnic University of the

Philippines

Note: 15 minutes presentation and 20 minutes open forum

11:47am – 12:30 pm LUNCH

12:31pm – 1:06 pm PERSPECTIVES:

· LGBT and the Church

Speaker: Rev. Sol Villalon

United Methodist Church

Note: 15 minutes presentation and 20 minutes open forum

1:07 pm – 1:42pm DEEPENING UNDERSTANDING OF THE LGBT

RIGHTS

· The International Human Rights Framework

Speaker: Atty Liezl Parajas

Women’s Human Rights Center

Commission on Human Rights

Note: 15 minutes presentation and 20 minutes open forum

1:43 pm – 2:18 pm CURRENT ISSUES:

A. LGBT Activism at the Grassroots level

Ø History highlights of LGBT Activism at the grassroots level

Speaker: Mr. Oscar Atadero

Pro-Gay

Note: 15 minutes presentation and 20 minutes open forum

2:19 pm – 2:54 pm B. LGBT Activism and Legislative Initiatives

Ø History highlights of the anti-discrimination bill

Ø History of LGBT Activism in the

Philippines

Ø Hate crime resolutions

Speaker: Mr. Ronald Emmanuel De Vera

Amnesty International

Note: 15 minutes presentation and 20 minutes open forum

2:55 pm – 3:30 pm C. LGBT Internal Dynamics vs. External Forces

(Political and Human Rights Issues)

Speaker: Mr. Danton Remoto

Ladlad

Note: 15 minutes presentation and 20 minutes open forum

3:31pm – 3:41 pm Acoustic number from Tao Aves

3:42pm – 3:52 pm Synthesis

Dir. Gerald Bitonio

3:52pm – 4:00pm Closing

The Advent of LGBT Rights in the University

2011-12-09T01:13:00.000+08:00

Human Rights Day 2011 : LGBT Rights are Human Rights!

2011-12-08T04:32:00.001+08:00

Like us on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/upbabaylan

UP Babaylan x 2011 Manila Pride March Dinner

2011-12-06T00:17:00.001+08:00

UP Babaylan x 2011 Manila Pride March (Part 2)

2011-12-05T23:49:00.001+08:00

UP Babaylan x Queer Archers' Alliance x 2011 Manila Pride March

2011-12-05T05:08:00.001+08:00

At the Pride March was another LGBT student organization, the fun and sexy advocates of DLSU Queer Archers' Alliance!