Philippines IDAHO Report 2013

LGBT people and straight allies joined business owners on May 17 in the capital Manila, in a toast to celebrate their commitment to create safe spaces. The event was called ‘Tagay for IDAHO’ and marked the launch of the Safe Space Campaign – a program that aims to eliminate discrimination through policy change. Activists also released an open letter to Churches, asking them to back the campaign. ‘We live in a world where we NEED to safeguard our freedom. Ours is a world that unfortunately discriminates against diversity – and so we need to protect that at all costs,’ affirmed one of the organisers. Activists also ran an online awareness raising campaign in the lead up to the Day. The year’s commemorations concluded with ‘Hayag,’ a staging of a collection of coming out monologues.

TAGAY for IDAHO

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) people and straight allies joined business owners on May 17 at Cubao X in a toast to celebrate their commitment to create safe spaces.

 
 
 
 
 
Participants at TAGAY for IDAHO !
“We live in a world where we NEED to safeguard our freedom.  Ours is a world that unfortunately discriminates against diversity – and so we need to protect that at all costs.” said Sandy Beltran of The Reading Room who opened the program as representative of the business owners. Beltran added that “acceptance is for most of the masses not an instinctive mindset, rather one nurtured by environment, education, and relationships.”
Cubao X business owners then signed a commitment to continue their practice of acceptance and nondiscrimination. The signing was immediately followed by the celebratory toast. Similar toasts against discrimination were simultaneously held in Baguio, Bacolod, Cebu, and Davao.
In his closing remarks, Ron de Vera, IDAHO Spokesperson, reiterated that “business owners, people in a position of power, have a responsibility to respect the rights of those who work for them as well as those they work for.” “Policy change is not the only solution to eliminating discrimination. But it is definitely a step in the right direction” said de Vera.
The event also marked the launch of the Safe Space Campaign, a program that aims to eliminate discrimination through policy change.
This year’s IDAHO celebration concluded with “Hayag,” a collection of coming out monologues staged by DAKILA at Boho Sarapsody Bistro.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ron de Vera
Spokesperson, IDAHO Manila Network
09209087012 / rondevera@gmail.com
Embrace diversity, fight stigma and discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders