STRAP chair, co-founder attend historic Barcelona conference

30 May 2010—STRAP Chair Naomi Fontanos and founding member Sass Rogando Sasot are slated to attend the International Congress on Gender Identity and Human Rights in Barcelona, Spain on June 1-6, 2010. The historic Congress will gather transgender human rights activists from around the world.



The Congress aims to produce a document outlining the specific human rights claims of transgender people across the globe that will be used to influence policy at the international level. A preparatory pre-conference happening on June 1-3, 2010 will precede the main conference on June 4-6, 2010 at the University of Barcelona.



The International Congress on Gender Identity and Human Rights is spearheaded by Human Rights Watch with the support of the Spanish Government through its Ministry of Equality and Office of Human Rights. For more information, visit www.congenid.org.

Movie, reality show receive STRAP’s first Sybil Awards

22 May 2010—To close its month-long 8th year anniversary celebrations, STRAP held a General Assembly (GA) of members and the first ever Sybil Awards at Annabel’s Tomas Morato. The Sybil Awards is given to honor those who promote the equality, empowerment and acceptance of transgender/transsexual Filipinas or transpinays.



This year’s recipients include the indie film, The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela and the hit reality TV show, Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Double Up. Both portrayed transpinays in a frank but respectful and dignified way.



Receiving the Sybil for Queen Raquela was the star of the movie herself, Raquela Rios who flew to Manila from Cebu for the awarding ceremony. The Sybil for PBB Double Up was accepted by one of its creative managers, Ted Boborol. In attendance were PBB Double Up housemates Rica Paras, Paul Jake Castillo and Melai Cantiveros.

This May STRAP turns 8

Dear friends & fellow activists,

This May 2010, the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP) celebrates 8 years of struggle, standing up and successes as the first and, as yet, only human rights advocacy and support organization for transpinays (transgender/transsexual Filipinas). In line with our 8^th year anniversary celebrations, it is our pleasure to present the following events:

GLBT FLOREZ DE MAYO

2 May 2010 (Sun), 7 pm

Bgy.Bagong Pag-asa Covered Court, Quezon City

The Flores de Mayo is a Filipino cultural tradition that celebrates the blooming flowers of May. The festival culminates with a procession that depicts the finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena, mother of Constantine the Great. On 2 May 2010, selected STRAP ladies will serve as sagalas and parade in Bgy. Pag-asa in Quezon City in the first Gay Lesbian Bisexual & Transgender (GLBT) FlorEZ de Mayo. This event is brought to you by EZ Lubricating Jelly in cooperation with the Metropolitan Community Church Quezon City (MCCQC), Progressive Organization of Gays in the Philippines (PROGAY) and Task Force Pride (TFP) Philippines.

TRANS+ACTION Standing Up For Your Rights

9 May 2010 (Sun), 1 pm

Isis International, UP Village, Quezon City

No STRAP anniversary will be complete without revisiting the ideas that undergird transactivism. On 9 May 2010 STRAP members will come together for an exclusive closed-door workshop on transgender human rights advocacy in the Philippines entitled Trans+Action Standing Up For Your Rights followed by a strategic planning workshop that will set STRAP’s agenda and action plan in the coming year.

SYBIL AWARDS

22 May 2010 (Sat, 7PM)

Annabels’ Restaurant, 194 Tomas Morato Avenue corner Sct Delgado, Quezon City

On 22 May 2010, STRAP proudly presents the first Sybil Awards, right around the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia (IDAHO), as a way to honor individuals, organizations, establishments and other entities that, in their own way, combat intolerance based on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI), uphold gender equality and promote the empowerment of sex and gender diverse people.

The Sybil Awards is named after one incarnation of the Great Mother, a goddess whose worship dates back to the Stone Age. Known by different names, she was called Sybil in various cultures. The Great Mother Sybil was venerated by transgender priestesses in pre-communal, matrilineal societies. STRAP makes history by being the first SOGI activist organization in the Philippines to pay tribute to those who have helped further its cause.

Join us as we usher in STRAP’s anniversary month in the spirit of energetic activism and empowerment. Celebrate STRAP’s 8 years of struggle, standing up and successes!

Yours sincerely,

Naomi Fontanos

Chair

STRAP