IDAHOBIT observation highlights diversity and unity
On 17 May, the LGBTQ+ community, their allies and many agencies observed International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia or IDAHOBIT, which is meant to raise awareness on the discrimination, marginalization and violence experienced by the LGBTQ+ community. This year’s commemoration carried the worldwide theme “Together Always: United in Diversity.”
For the Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce, the theme “reminds us of the importance of solidarity towards battling discrimination.”
“[W]e encourage business owners, leaders and influential individuals to raise our flag with pride, in their respective businesses and communities, in signaling allyship and respect for the LGBTQIA+ people. Let us promote an environment where people come together against stereotyping and discrimination, and where they are introduced to organizational values that effectively advocate a diverse workspace that includes everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics,” they said.
For the Southeast Asian network ASEAn SOGIE Caucus, the day “aims to celebrate and appreciate the accomplishments of our LGBTQIA+ community, but the day is also the commemoration of our collective struggles.”
IDAHOBIT “marks one of the most momentous turning points in the struggle for gender equality — the declassification of homosexuality as a disorder by the World Health Organization. A breakthrough in the recognition of the natural diversity in society and a step forward to materializing a just and equal world,” according to UP (University of the Philippines) Babaylan.
“However, in this modern reality, it cannot be denied that our systems are plagued with the constant threats of impunity, indifference and violence. In the Philippines alone, many names have been victims to the rampant narratives of discrimination... the need to hold the line and ensure rights for all remains an arduous endeavor. From the margins to the center, every identity is met with oppression and challenged by circumstances,” the campusbased LGBTQ+ explained. “To this day, we remember each story and utter every name as a promise that the struggle lives on so that nobody might be next and that justice be served to those that came before us.”
They further said: “As such, the movement finds itself emboldened with the pride and power of the collective. We recognize that there is no greater system than that of the people in pursuit of a shared goal: respect for human rights, reclamation of identities and acceptance of diversity.”
UP Babaylan held a weeklong celebration for IDAHOBIT called Here for Queers. From 17 to 19 May, the group organized the Intergalactic Expo Bazaar at the Rainbow Crosswalk, in front of the West Wing of Palma Hall, featuring queer-owned businesses. Aside from booths selling food and clothes, there is also a booth offering free HIV testing in partnership with HASH.
On 19 May, the Multidimensional FSL Workshop was held, where speakers Erika Allosa and Abraham Bagasin from Pinoy Deaf Rainbow taught the basics of Filipino Sign Language as well as sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and sex characteristics or SOGIESC.
Here for Queers culminated with Benefit Concert: An Interstellar Night on 20 May at the Sky Bistro Ever with drag queens Mrs. Tan, Myx Chanel, Maria Christina, Inah Demons, Aries night and Korona Dvil, and other performers Stef Aranas, Pixie Lanrador, Pointyyy, Lance Reblando taking center stage. Profits will be donated to Pinoy Deaf Rainbow.
On IDAHOBIT, Pride PH intensified its call on schools to recognize and accept transgender at non-binary students. The group continues to help students with their schools that refuses to be inclusive.
Aside from LGBTQ+ groups, foreign embassies also joined in celebrating IDAHOBIT.
The German Embassy Manila has partnered with Zamboanga City-based Mujer LGBT Organization for the Human Rights Caravan to engage with local government units in Mindanao by providing gender and sexual orientation sensitivity training and teaching the importance of antidiscrimination policies especially when providing services to their LGBTQ+ constituents. The Caravan has been to Dipolog City, Isabela, Pagadian City, TawiTawi and Zamboanga City.
According to the embassy, “As co-chair of the Equal Rights Coalition, Germany is working to promote respect, acceptance and equality for all sexual orientations and gender identities. We encourage societies to reflect on the impact of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia and take action to combat these forms of discrimination.”
The United States Embassy in the Philippines said that “the United States reaffirms our commitment to end discrimination and violence so that all of our LGBTQI+ friends, colleagues, neighbors and family may live freely with dignity and equal respect for their human rights.”
“Countries are stronger when the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex persons are protected and respected,” they emphasized.