Pinoy LGBT is now at www.pinoylgbt.com

Pinoy LGBT now has its own domain. Please visit www.pinoylgbt.com for new updates. Thanks for following Pinoy LGBT!

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Live Blogging at the Across Borders: Global Issues and Trends in LGBT Advocacy Forum

Across Borders: Global Issues and Trends in LGBT Advocacy
Bahay Isis, Marunong Street, Quezon City
July 11, 2009 1-5 pm

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Filipino LGBT Youth Suicide Risks

Another relevant and informative topic will be presented by the Rainbow Rights Projects and the UP Film Institute. The 6th leg of Dyke Dialogues and Rainbow Exchange Series will be tackling about the study by Eric Manalastas from the Department of Psychology in UP Diliman.

The sympo-forum will be held at the Videotheque, 2nd floor Ishmael Bernal Gallery, UP Diliman on June 20, 2009.

I will be expecting to learn a lot from Mr. Manalastas. It was unfortunate that I wasn't able to be his student back in college but I believe that I was able to 'sit-in' during one of his classes. :)

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Live with Pride: LGBT Jewelry from the Out of D Closet Store

I am on the look out for Pride jewelry/LGBT jewelry here in Manila and unfortunately it's not readily available in your nearest accessory or jewelry shop. Please read the rest of the article here.

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Where to Find Lezzies in the City of Manila

Here's a blogpost I wrote for Lezzy in the City:

Most of lesbian new-found friends would ask me "Where can I find lesbians in Manila?" . I know that it's been a struggle for some lesbians to find for some lesbian love in the city that is why I decided to make this topic as my first blog post. Since I am based here in Manila, I would only be able to give you suggestions around Metro Manila so here goes: (Please read the rest of the article here)

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Baguio LGBT Pride March

Celebrate 15 years of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender PRIDE in the Philippines, join the anniversary Pride Parade in Baguio City.


Come together on June 28, 2009 - meeting place at the Session Road @ 8:00 a.m. - supported by Metropolitan Community Churches in the Philippines and Progay Philippines. Please bring your rainbow flags and your straight family member.

The whole event will be from June 22-28, 2009.

Activities will be Pride parade, sports festival, Pride LGBT Mass and Film festival

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Lesbian Parenting in the Philippines

This has been a long overdue post because the Lesbian Parenting forum I attended was last April 18. Even though it's already been a month, it still deserves a spot here in my blog because I believe that it is one of the issues some lesbians here in the Philippines face.

What makes a family? It is not just a biological concept anymore, in fact it has evolved into a social construct. We sometimes consider long time colleagues at work as our family. The rigidity of the family as a biological concept sometimes become the root of bigotry and homophobia.

Please read the rest of the article here.

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Ways to Get Pregnant:The Lesbian Way

Before I blog about the lesbian parenting forum I attended weeks ago, I will blog first about the different ways on how to get pregnant: The Lesbian Way.

Please read the rest of the article here.

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Another Transphobic Incident in Aruba Bar, This Time It's BB Gandanghari

Just got information that Aruba Bar, still is discriminating transgenders/transexuals in their bar. BB Gandanghari, was refused of entry just a few hours ago (April 24th). She was there to watch a concert of her friend Rannie Raymundo. This same bar also denied Inday Garutay to enter the premises way back in 2006. Here is the copy of Inday Garutay's complaint filed at the Pasig Regional Trial Court.

Please read the rest of the article here.

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Families of the Heart: Legal Protections for Lesbian Partners and their Children

Rainbow Rights Project, Inc. and the UP Film Institute

Supported by

Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice
are inviting you to attend:

“Families of the Heart: Legal Protections for Lesbian Partners and their Children”

a lecture-forum to be held on
April 18, Saturday, from 1-4PM, at the Bernal Gallery, UP Film Institute.

By popular request, this discussion will try to provide answers for lesbian couples seeking joint property rights and other legal protections, after having been deprived of the automatic privileges granted by marriage. We shall also try to cover parenting options for lesbian families. Here is an article, by the way, which can help you know ways on how to get pregnant the lesbian way.

Know where you stand under Philippine law, and learn about your alternatives.

*reposted from Angie.

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Flipping Through the Pages of Maxim's Gay and Lesbian Issue

(photo from Maxim Philippines)

I just got a copy of the Maxim Philippines' Gay and Lesbian Issue a few days ago with Mocha on the cover of it. Just finished reading the interesting articles and of course looking at the interesting pictures of it too ;) . I believe this is the most daring mainstream magazine magazine that I've seen lately. A lot of provocative femme-to-femme poses from women who I believe who are just swingers (or bi-curious women) but not really femme lesbians per se. Oh well.

Please read the rest of the article here.

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Prof. Danton Remoto Appointed as one of the 2010 Senatoriables for the Opposition

reposted from Rainbow Bloggers:

GAY RIGHTS ADVOCATE, EDUCATOR, WRITER AND 2010 SENATORIAL CANDIDATE, PROF DANTON REMOTO's phones began to ring in earnest yesterday, as they have done so in the last two weeks, when political operators and campaign teams would call him and ask if they could make appointments with Remoto. He set one appointment, with one major political party that belongs to the Opposition, and they have included Danton Remoto in the pool of senatorial candidates that their Executive Committee has to vet as its official 12 candidates for senator. Official announcements will be made later this month, and a formal oath-taking will follow. And so, the candidate that Comelec did not want to run in 2007, who was called a nuisance candidate, now belongs to a political party that will slug it out block by block, town by town, city by city, province by province, and region by region, in the great, grand battle of the May 2010 elections.

Let the games begin!

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MAXIM: Featuring gays and lesbians

Mocha (front woman of Mocha Girls has been a photo blogger for MAXIM last February. I have seen Mocha and Hershey kiss on-stage but I haven't seen them in a sexy cover shoot like this. It's the first ever Gay and Lesbian issue of Maxim.

In the said issue, you'll expect:

Gays nightout at Classmate
This is about Boy Abunda with other four famous gay men holding a roundtable discussion of gay issues inside a VIP room in Classmate. Boy Abunda was joined by Danton Remoto (writer and activist), Puey Quiñones (fashion designer), Mojo Jojo (Magic 89.9 DJ) and Carlo Tadiar (a magazine editor).

The Curious Case of Binibini Gandanghari
A mock cover of Bebe will appear in the magazine including an open letter addressed to Bebe Gandanghari.

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LGBT Representation in Philippine Congress

I attended a forum sponsored by Rainbow Rights which was about LGBTs possible representation in the upcoming National Elections last March 21. The main speaker was Atty. Luie Tito Guia, a renowned election expert. It was attended by different representatives of LGBT groups in the Philippines and this was also one way to strategize on how the LGBT can be represented in Congress as a party list group.

Atty. Guia gave a brief background on the political set up in the Philippines and the history of the party list representation in Congress. The party list system in the Philippines was made possible through the Republic Act 7941 or the Party List System Act.

Please view rest of the article here.

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Giving Voice to the PINK Vote

Giving Voice to the PINK Vote

Where: Ishmael Bernal Art Gallery (at the back of UP Cine Adarna/ Film Center, across the lagoon and beside the UP Carillon)
Time: 1:00-4:00 pm
Guest Speaker: Atty. Luie Tito F. Guia (a renowned election law expert)

LGBTs must be represented in Congress!

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My Thoughts About the BB Gandanghari Bloggers Event

I'm sorry that it took me some time to blog about my thoughts about this event when it has already been a week since this happened. The good thing was I was able to at least live blog about it but as promised, my thoughts will be to follow.

To kick off things here, I would like to say that I appreciated the fact that P.O.C (Philippine Online Chronicles) set up an event like this. This was Bebe Gandanghari's way to reach out to the bloggers since she has been visible online. The event was ok but I really couldn't say that it achieved something. Yes, she was liked by everyone (and suddenly became fan boys and girls) butI am saying this because I believe that the LGBT agenda wasn't highlighted. It became some sort of a 'fans day' or a 'press con' for an upcoming movie. I am glad that some of my fellow bloggers (even though they're not "one of us") asked relevant questions that actually highlighted the LGBT issues such as discrimination. It was Mark and I who opened up the LGBT issues and I was even wondering if some of the people there knew what LGBT was. Maybe I was looking for something that I couldn't find and I expected it to become an avenue for it. But, I my expectations were too much. I know that total acceptance of the LGBTs is very impossible in the Philippines (and even the world) but at least some of us bloggers were able to open it up. I actually appreciated Mark in being honest about being one of the homophobics and meeting BB in person sort of opened up his mind a little bit though I know homophobia is not totally gone. This has become a some sort of achievement for me. ;)

Please view rest of the article here.

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Live Blogging at the BB Gandanghari Blogger Meet Up at Mag:Net High Street

I am the currently at the Bebe Gandanghari Blogger meet up at Mag:Net High Street. The event is sponsored by P.O.C (Philippine Online Chronicles). Bloggers get the chance to ask questions to her, no holds barred.

Please view rest of the article here.

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Ellen de Generes: A Lesbian Icon Now an Endorser of Cover Girl Make Up

It was surprising that Ellen de Generes, one of the leading lesbian icons in popular American television, is now an endorser of Cover Girl make up. I think that this is a breakthrough in the field of advertising for me. Gone are the days when it is imperative (and expected) that supermodels and popular celebrities like Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Julia Roberts, etc.. should endorse 'feminine products'. Ellen is the irony of being 'feminine' and she just outwitted everyone with the commercial.

Please view rest of the article here.

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UNEQUAL UNDER THE LAW: Transgender Women in the Philippines

In celebration of International Women's Month, the Rainbow Rights Project in partnership with the University of the Philippines' Paralegal Volunteers Organization (UP PVO), the Ang Ladlad Partylist, and the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP) would like to invite you to the forum

UNEQUAL UNDER THE LAW: Transgender women in the Philippines

Speakers:
Pau Fontanos (Ang Ladlad, STRAP)
Sass Rogando Sasot (Ang Ladlad, STRAP)

Reactors:
Atty. Carol Austria
Atty. Bing Guanzon

March 10, Tuesday, 1-4 pm
UP College of Law
1st Floor, Sarmiento Room

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Close Up Lovapalooza Discriminates Same Sex Relationships

I for one experienced that myself.

My partner and I were given VIP tickets by someone from San Miguel Beer the night before the Lovapalooza (Valentine's Party Friday night in Ortigas). Since Pupil, one of my favorite bands will be performing, my partner and I decided to attend the event even though we will be coming from Taytay, Rizal in the afternoon and number 2, there will be lots of people there. It's free anyway, so we went for it.

Please view rest of the article here.

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Jay: Showing at SM Cinemas

Cinemalaya Best Picture and Asian Hotshots winner for Best Feature - Jay is currently being shown in SM Cinemas. According to the Facebook event, the movie will be shown until March 4. By the way, they have a promo too. If your name is Jay, you can watch the movie for free. You just need to present your valid ID.

The film stars Baron Geisler (as Jay Santiago), and Coco Martin (as Edward Navarro). The film is directed by Francis Pasion.

"Jay" is about the gay schoolteacher that was brutally murdered in a sex-crime. TV producer, then, convinces the family to shoot Jay's wake and funeral for a reality show. You can read more about its synopsis in their website: JayTheMovie.com.

The title of the film reminds me of the song "Hey Jay" by Eraserheads. I'm not really sure though if the title of the film was somehow inspired by this song.

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Valentine Event: Lunduyan ng Sining - Womyn Seranading Womyn

When: February 13, 2009
Where: Mag:Net Cafe Katipunan
Time: 9:00 pm

Lunduyan ng Sining’s Women Serenading Women
(Watch the best femme bands reinvent harana into herana)

This is also in celebration of the first anniversary of Lunduyan ng Sining’s lit folio,
What These Hands Can Do.

with performers:

Al Rio
Blush
Matt
Tao Aves
Flush and the Toilets

Mag:net Katipunan
Feb. 13 2009
9pm onwards

Donation is at P150 with free drink.

Lunduyan Ng Sining’s What These Hands Can Do contributors can come in for free.

Part of the proceeds will be donated to Tara Sentelices’ fund. Let’s help bring Tara home!

Please spread the love.

** from Lunduyan ng Sining's multiply.

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Patolas' (Mga Pumapatol) Theme Song for Gays???

patambay saint rapper - saint rapper

Have you heard this song? Well, it's sounds "Salbakuta-ish" (the Pinoy hip-hop group who sang 'Stupid Love'). When you first listen to it, it sounds funny but when you dig deeper on the lyrics it is very discriminating against our 'sisterettes' in the LGBT community.

Please read the rest of the article here.

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"Thank You Girls" - Film Review

The Thank You Girls

Directed and Written by: Charliebebs Gohetia
Language: Visayan
Genre: Comedy

Actors: Gie Salonga as Allyson
Pidot Villocino as Mommy Paola
July Jimenez ... Bernadette
E.J. Pantujan as Chris
Kit Poliquit as Vanette
Kim Vergara as Macario
Ari Bancale as Carlos
Joan Mae Soco as Adora
Andrew Caisido as the Narrator

I got interested in watching this film primarily because I support films that show LGBTs in the local setting. The film was released in 2008 but it was only last Saturday when I was able to watch this movie. I never realized that the film already was being recognized abroad. It was nominated in the 2008 Vancouver International Film Festival under the category of Dragons & Tigers Award for Young Cinema. This was the only Filipino film that was showcased among the 74 other Asian films.

Please read the rest of the article here.

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The Launch of the First Lesbian Magazine in the Philippines: My Femme Magazine

Cover of the Pilot Issue

A lot of lesbians, from different ages, kinds, shapes and sizes, gathered at the Sir William's Hotel Functon Room in Timog Ave, Quezon City to celebrate the launch of the first lesbian magazine in the Philippines which is My Femme Magazine (MFM). My girlfriend and I were among the first people to be there and got ourselves free shots of tequila while waiting for the program to start. Entrance was free (but the drinks weren't ;) ) and the program started around 10:30 pm. It was actually like a normal exclusive party for lesbians, however there are some men who were there (I'm not just sure if they're friends of the organizers or gays?). There were dance numbers, games and models. We got the chance to choose the next My Femme cover girl for the next issue by voting the models of our choice.

Please read the rest of the article here.

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Rustom Padilla is Dead, Here Comes BB Gandanghari

This was just show yesterday at a Philippine showbiz talk show, Startalk. Rustom Padilla unveiled his new name and image: Bebe Gandanghari. From what I know, this is for a tv series that will be shown soon. So basing it from the interview, I am not sure if this is a preparation for a role. I remember the concept of method acting like what Robert de Niro and Al Pacino do to study the roles that they will be portraying.

Please read the rest of the article here.

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The Thank You Girls Film Screening

Above is the trailer of "The Thank You Girls". The movie will be shown from January 21 to 27 at Robinson's Indiesine (Robinson's Galleria Cinema). The movie is written and directed by Charliebebs Gohetia. Basically it's a Visayan film with a gay lingo twist.

Synopsis
Tired of losing in all the beauty competitions in Davao City, five gay beauty pageant veterans decide to travel north to Cagayan de Oro City, in the island of Mindanao, with a mission to conquer the grandest competition of beauty, personality and brains in the province.

They believe that being city dwellers, gays in the province will never stand a chance against them.

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