In observance of the World AIDS Day, Task Force Pride again conducted its annual pride march, December 4 at Tomas Morato, Quezon City.
(Anti-LGBT individuals and groups express their reactions during the march.)
This year's theme is "One Love: Stop AIDS, Promote LGBT Human Rights, Keep the Promise" to keep unity among us. It also keeps the people including non-LGBT organizations and individuals aware of the harms caused by AIDS. Lastly, it acknowledges the role of the LGBT community in advocating HIV/AIDS awareness.
Participants of UPLB Babaylan were Jan Erick Alim, Leonel Estay, Joy Lorenzo, Cor Marañan, Keissy Orobia, Gelica Paz, Samuel Brando Piamonte, Vien Posadas, Angelo Salazar.
The march started at around 3 pm and routed the avenues Tomas Morato, Eugenio Lopez and Timog. A program followed right after in which the organization received a certificate of recognition.
December 1 is World AIDS Day. This year's theme is "Universal Access and Human Rights."
We, the UPLB Babaylan, together with Atty. Germaine Leonin, Oscar Atadero, Rev. Ceejay Agbayani, Santy Layno, Vic Alba, and the rest of the people behind the Campus Rainbow Tour, marched our way from the NCAS Auditorium to the Carabao Park in UP Los Baños where we lit candles in commemoration of the World AIDS day.
The UPLB Babaylan members who were present in this event were Cor Marañan, Dhayle Fabia, Erick Alim, Gelica Paz, Jamie Delos Reyes, Jette Santos, Kevin Ripas, Kiko Orobia, Sam Piamonte, Shelia Abucay (alumna), and Vien Posadas.
This started right after the Campus Rainbow Tour. We wore red ribbons to raise awareness. While marching, we chanted "No! Ayoko! Sa gay discrimination!" and "Bakla't Tibo ng bayan, ngayon ay lumalaban!" This was one of our many ways to fight prejudice. Students, faculties, and other people around the area watched us as we lit the candles one by one. Rev. Ceejay Agbayani led the prayer for the souls of the people who died of AIDS. In this manner, we have reminded the people around us and made it clear that HIV/AIDS hasn't gone away and that there are still many things to be done.
Beginnings It was on July 6, 2009 when 41 individuals gathered at the Humanities Steps and marked the establishment of UPLB Babaylan, a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students' support group which believes in the inherent equality of all persons regardless of status or condition. For the organization, this inherent equality implies that human beings should not be discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation.
Goals -Forge unity among LGBT communities in UPLB -Provide support services for LGBT students -Promote awareness of LGBT issues in the university
Projects -Lesbian and Gay Rights Advocacies -Gender Sensitivity Workshops -Conference and Symposia on LGBT issues -Networking with National and International LGBT Organizations
Campaigns -Manila Pride March -World AIDS Campaign -International Day Against Homophobia -Transgender Day of Remembrance -Anti-Discrimination Bill
Educational Discussions -Gender, Sex and Sexuality -HIV/AIDS -Human Rights -Vagrancy Law -Anti-Discrimination Bill -Gay Lingo
Contact Information email - uplbbabaylan@gmail.com | mobile - +639162764398
