Transpinay human rights defenders go to bed with famed photographer

For many women, the "bedroom" is not just a room but represents a multiplicity of meanings. It can be a site of struggle for power, pleasure and personhood. To others, it can be a place of vulnerability, where personal issues are dealt with--those that pertain to the body, health, sense of well-being, sense of belonging, sexuality, gender, pain, lust and love.

On International Women's Month, the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP), the pioneer organization of transgender rights advocates in the Philippines, revisits the idea of the "bedroom" as a complex space. Collaborating with renowned photographer Niccolo Cosme, transpinays (transgender/transsexual Filipinas) figuratively go to bed with Cosme to produce black-and-white images of transgender women confronting the issues that they face daily: discrimination, hate, the struggle for equality, identity, their place in public/social institutions, social roles and relationships, kinship, sisterhood and community.

These photographs are not only meant to showcase the diversity, beauty, and strength of the transpinay but also to trigger a reflection on the power of self-determination and how in the bedroom the personal is also the political.
The exhibit will run from 5-9 March 2012 at the Law School of the Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) Professional Schools and is co-presented by the Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC) Women’s Desk. 


Written for STRAP by Chairwoman Ms Naomi Fontanos

STRAP turns 10: A decade of support, sorority and sisterhood

The Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP), the pioneer support group and human rights advocacy organization of transpinays (transgender/transsexual Filipinas) turns 10 in May 2012. To celebrate a decade of support, sorority and sisterhood, STRAP will hold three major events in three months (March, April & May 2012).

In March, in time for International Women's Month, STRAP will hold a photo exhibit at the Law School of the Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) Professional Schools in cooperation with the Ateneo Human Rights Center's Women's Desk. To be held on 5-9 March 2012, the exhibit will feature black-and-white photographs showcasing the beauty and diversity of STRAP members shot by renowned photographer Niccolo Cosme.

In April, STRAP will hold a social responsibility activity to benefit a charity of their choice. STRAP's 10th year anniversary celebrations culminate with the 2nd Sybil Awards on 19 May 2012. 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 societies. STRAP's Sybil awards honor individuals, organizations, establishments, activities, programs, and other entities that, in their own way, promote the equality, acceptance, empowerment and dignity of transgender Filipinos.

For more information on these events, please contact Ms Naomi Fontanos, STRAP Chairwoman at strapmanila@gmail.com or through mobile +63920.2697607.


Written for STRAP by Chairwoman Ms Naomi Fontanos

Rep. Teddy Casiño's response on HB 4530

Below is Rep. Teddy Casiño's response on his co-authorship of HB 4530 or "An act further authorizing the city of municipal civil registrar or the consul general to correct clerical or typographical errors in the date of birth or sex or a person appearing in the civil register without need of a judicial order amending for this purpose the pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 9048." STRAP is opposed to this measure as it makes the process of changing sex in the birth certificate violative of privacy and impossible for those who identify as transgender/transsexual.

HB 4530 Co-authorship

Dear Friends in the LGBT Community,
Warm greetings!

In response to some discussions in the LGBT community about the recently passed bill on correcting entries in birth certificates, I wish to make the following clarifications.

1. I was never an author of any of the measures that went into the final bill (HB 4530 titled: An Act Further Authorizing The City Or Municipal Civil Registrar Or The Consul General To Correct Clerical Or Typographical Error In The Date Of Birth Or Sex Of A Person Appearing In The Civil Register Without Need Of A Judicial Order). Instead, I was automatically included as a co-author of the measure after attending a meeting of the Committee on Justice sometime in May 2011, where a number of bills, including HB 4530, were apparently approved. I did not vote for or against the measure and was not a co-author of any similar measure (House Bills 214, 237, 1767, 2438, 2681, 2795, 3834).

2. The intention of the bill is merely to allow ordinary citizens to correct CLERICAL or TYPOGRAPHICAL errors in their birth certificates without having to go through the courts. There is nothing objectionable in that.

3. Technically, transgender persons who want to change their gender identity in their birth certificates are not covered by the bill, since such a change is neither a clerical nor typographical error. Thus, the law specifically states that changes in gender due to medical procedures are excluded from the coverage of the law.

4. I agree, however, that the wording of the law tends to discriminate against transgender persons, especially those who have undergone a medical procedure to change their sex. It would have been better if the law merely stated that the law does not cover persons who deliberately change their gender identity, as corrections of this nature are neither clerical nor typographical.

5. I shall withdraw my name as a co-author of the said measure and will take steps, if it is still possible, to correct the discriminatory language found in the said bill.

I deeply appreciate your concern on bringing this issue to me and allowing me to clarify my position. And I welcome all your views and proposals, for I would definitely like to be informed further on LGBT issues and concerns.

Thank you very much!

Teddy Casiño

STRAP salutes Heart and Pat

Ms Heart Diño for Chairperson and Ms Pat Bringas for Councilor of the University Student Council (USC) in the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman

STRAP, a non-profit organization that envisions a nurturing society that affirms, respects and upholds the dignity, the right to self-determination and good quality of life of all through the promotion of gender equality and self-expression, salutes the candidacies of Ms Heart Diño for Chairperson and Ms Pat Bringas for Councilor of the University Student Council (USC) in the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman for Academic Year 2012-2013.

While we are aware that much more still needs to be done towards the equality of men and women in the Philippines, the candidacies of Heart and Pat are testament to the progress that has been gained in the struggle for sexual rights in our country. As smart, highly capable and exemplary young leaders, they embody the best of the transpinay (transgender/transsexual Filipina).

STRAP believes that the increasing prominence of transpinays in politics, entertainment and the corporate world is not only a reflection of transpinay empowerment in the Philippines but also a recuperation of our society from the malady that is gender-based discrimination. May the candidacies of Heart and Pat contribute greatly to this healing process.

We are proud of you Heart and Pat! Mabuhay kayo at mabuhay ang transpinay!


This statement was prepared for STRAP by Vice Chairwoman Ms Kate Montecarlo and edited by Chairwoman Ms Naomi Fontanos.

STRAP commends the PAP

On 27 October 2011, the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) released a statement affirming the inherent dignity of Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Filipinos. The statement is considered historic and groundbreaking. STRAP sent a letter of commendation addressed to the PAP leadership which is posted in full below.

Dr Maria Caridad H. Tarroja PhD
President
Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP)

CC: Prof Jay A. Yacat
Head, PAP Public Interest Committee

Dear Dr Tarroja

We, the members of the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP), the pioneer support group and human rights advocacy organization of transpinays ( transgender/transsexual Filipinas), commend the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) for its October 2011 statement on Non-discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and congratulate the PAP for taking a clear and unequivocal stand against any form of prejudice directed toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Filipinos.

We share the PAP’s view that indeed “lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Filipinos continue to experience stigma, prejudice and discrimination in Philippine society.” This stigma, unfortunately, is perpetuated by individuals and institutions connected to the field of psychology and psychiatry whose precepts have been used to “cure” and change people’s sexual orientation and gender identity through harmful and unethical reparative therapies.

We hope that the PAP’s statement will just be one of the many steps it will take to bring the practice of psychology out of the darkness that views a person’s sexual orientation and gender identity as a condition that needs to be treated, cured or suppressed into the light of affirming the agency of every human person and their capacity to self-determine their gender and sexuality. We hope as well that the PAP’s statement will reflect a psychological practice in the Philippines that strikes a balance between science and humanity, a psychology that adds to and does not take away from every Filipinos’ right to lead meaningful, happy and fulfilling lives free from the stigma of psychopathology.

We salute the leadership of today’s PAP. We hope that your wisdom and courage will mold a generation of psychologists who are more humane, more caring and more nurturing of the Filipino mind, body and spirit! Mabuhay kayo at mabuhay ang PAP!

In solidarity,

Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP)
www.tsphilippines.com
www.facebook.com/strap.manila
strapmanila@gmail.com


Written for STRAP by Chairwoman Ms Naomi Fontanos

Transpinay speaks on German panel

20 October 2011 – Naomi Fontanos, chairwoman of the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP) the pioneer human rights advocacy organization of transgender/transsexual Filipinas or transpinays, spoke on a panel called Trans* Rights Are Human Rights organized by the Heinrich Boell Foundation in Berlin, Germany on 5 October 2011, Wednesday (see video below). The panel focused on the initial research findings of the TransRespect Vs TransPhobia (TvT) Project of Transgender Europe (TGEU), which investigates the legal and social situation of transgender people globally.

Talking about transpeople in East and Southeast Asia, Fontanos said "From East Asia to Southeast Asia, transpeople face a similar situation: silenced, excluded and erased. Most transpeople have no say over their identities; their lived realities are belittled and dismissed and state and cultural forces act to render them powerless, with no control over their own lives.”

“Like others elsewhere in the world, transpeople in East and Southeast Asia are coerced to make a choice between a life of dignity and their gender identity as if these two were exclusive of each other,” she added.

The packed auditorium was attended by locals, human rights advocates, and members of the media and the transcommunity in Berlin. In the panel with Fontanos were Carla LaGata and Jan Simon Hutta, the main TvT researchers, Witnes Booysen, Outreach Coordinator of GenderDynamix in South Africa, Tamara Adrian, a lawyer and transactivist from Venezuela, Agniva Lahiri, Executive Director of People Like Us (PLUS) Calcutta, Joleen Mataele, Chairperson of the Pacific Sexual Diversity Network (PSDN) from Tonga and Kristian Randelovic of Transgayten in Serbia. The panel was chaired by Julia Ehrt, co-chair of TGEU.

You can see a video of the panel here.

STRAP's ASEAN Declaration

On 20-21 September 2011, the Women's Legal and Human Rights Bureau (WLB) will be holding a regional training-workshop entitled Women's Rights in the ASEAN: Maximizing Human Rights Mechanisms in the ASEAN that seeks to strengthen women's rights groups' engagement with and participation in the ASEAN. Below is STRAP's official statement written by Co-founder Ms Sass Rogando Sasot and edited by Chairwoman Ms Naomi Fontanos released in the regional training-workshop.

Recalling the Preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) that states that the “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world;”

Affirming Article 1 of the UDHR that states that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights” and that “they are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood;”

Affirming Article 6 of the UDHR that states that “everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law;”

Affirming Article 22 of the UDHR that states that “everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality;”

Invoking Purposes 1.1 and 1.6 of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), which respectively are “to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of the peoples of ASEAN,” and “to uphold international human rights standards as prescribed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, and international human rights instruments to which ASEAN Member States are parties;”

Recalling that the top priority of the ASEAN Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) includes “elimination of violence against women and children; trafficking in women and children; women and children living with and affected by HIV and AIDS; social impact of climate change on women and children; promotion and protection of the rights of women and children with disabilities; ASEAN and other instruments related to the rights of women and children; child protection system: integrative/comprehensive approach for children in need for social protection; the right to quality education, including Early Childhood Care, Development and Education (ECCDE); the right of children to participate in all affairs that affect them; women participation in politics and decision making, governance and democracy; strengthening economic rights of women with regards to feminization of poverty, women's right to land and property; promoting implementation of international, gender equality in education (textbook, curriculum, and equal access); strengthening institutional capacities of ACWC; and promotion of consultation and dialogue with stakeholders at national and regional levels;”

Recognizing the Yogyakarta Principles on the application of international human rights law in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity;

Upholding the International Bill of Gender Rights which states that “all human beings carry within themselves an ever-unfolding idea of who they are and what they are capable of achieving. The individual’s sense of self is not determined by chromosomal sex, genitalia, assigned birth sex, or initial gender role. Thus, the individual’s identity and capabilities cannot be circumscribed by what society deems to be masculine or feminine behavior. It is fundamental that individuals have the right to define, and to redefine as their lives unfold, their own gender identities, without regard to chromosomal sex, genitalia, assigned birth sex, or initial gender role;”

Recalling the societal vision of our organization of a nurturing society that affirms, respects, and upholds the dignity, the right to self-determination and good quality of life of all;

The Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP), in adopting this declaration, hereby:

Affirms the inherent dignity of all transgender people in the ASEAN Region and the rest of the world;

Affirms that gender identity and expression is a matter of self-determination and an exercise of the human right to the free development of personality;

Calls on the AICHR, ACWC and the ASEAN Commission to Implement the Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers (ACMW) to uphold, protect, and promote the human rights of transgender populations across the ASEAN which include children, disabled, aging people, migrant workers and people living with HIV and AIDS;

Calls for rights-based legislation in the ASEAN member countries that (1) would protect transgender people from discrimination and bias-motivated crimes and (2) allow transgender people to change their legal sex into their gender identity.

Filipino transsexuals sue PH for discrimination vs gays at UN

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Philippines' number one broadsheet.

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines—Three Filipino transsexuals have sued the government for discriminating against gays before the United Nations, it was revealed in a forum at the University of the Philippines-Baguio last week.

Lawyer Evalyn Ursua, who represents Naomi Fontanos, Juliana Marian Giessel and Rio Moreno, said her clients still carried Philippine passports that identified them as males, owing to a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that said the absence of a law regulating sexual reassignments meant that Philippine jurisprudence could not recognize their new gender.

The transsexuals, with the help of Ursua and students in UP-Diliman’s women and development studies program, complained to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) last month, urging the world body to compel the Philippine government to issue a law that will recognize their change of sexual identity.

Ursua presented the complaint at a June 24 forum on transgender situation at UP Baguio.

Ursua, who was here for the 5th Baguio Gay Pride celebration, said the suit preempted the UNHRC resolution on June 17 that officially recognized gay rights and commissioned a world report for December that would compile evidence of gay discrimination in member-states like the Philippines.

The document, transmitted by Ursua to the UN on May 23, said: “Their lack of gender-appropriate legal identity has severely restricted their freedom of movement and right to travel.” Vincent Cabreza, Inquirer Northern Luzon, and Jocelyn Uy in Manila

STRAP makes history with UN communication

CSWCD, UP Diliman -- The Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP) makes history as they send off a communication to the United Nations (UN) that calls attention to state responsibilities of the Philippine Government as a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to pay careful attention to how the justice system updates itself with current developments in international human rights law in its understanding of gender identity through the lived experiences of transsexual women.

The communication aims to put a spotlight on the plight of transpinays (transsexual Filipinas) and their struggle with institutionalized transphobia--the negative attitude towards transgender people that leads to cruelty, abuse and discrimination--as demonstrated by the 2008 Supreme Court (SC) decision that denied a transsexual woman's petition for legal name and sex change. The communication, which highlights the debilitating effects of the the SC decision on the lives of three transpinays--Naomi Fontanos, Juliana Geissel and Rio Moreno--was made possible in collaboration with the Women and Development (WD) Women and the Law class 2010-2011 of the College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD) under Atty. Evalyn Ursua.

The communication will be launched and sent off to the UN at the CSWCD grounds at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman at 5:30 pm on 23 May 2011.

Happy holidays from STRAP!

Here's wishing everyone a Christmas filled with warmth, laughter and hope and a New Year that affirms our dignity, protects our right to self-determination and ensures a good quality of life for all.

STRAP secretary is Dutch magazine's cover

The current secretary of the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines Ms Adri Pangilinan graces the cover of JOIN, a Dutch travel magazine (see pic above).

Adri is featured as a young professional woman trying to break down barriers. The article focuses on her strength and courage.

The special issue of JOIN, out on the second week of December 2010, is a collection of articles about the Philippines. JOIN is distributed in almost all Dutch universities. Around 2,000 members get JOIN at home.

STRAP commemorates the 12th International Transgender Day of Remembrance

On 28 November 2010, Sunday, STRAP will form a circle with allies, loved ones and friends to commemorate the 12th International Transgender Day of Remembrance and memorialize all the men, women and children in the past year who died due to transphobic hatred.

Iloilo Math Goddess to judge Queen of Cebu

Lahug, CEBU – Rica Paras, the Math Goddess of Iloilo in the hit reality TV show Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Double Up, is slated to judge Cebu’s most prestigious pageant for Cebuana transpinays (transgender/transsexual Filipinas), Queen of Cebu on 6 November 2010, Saturday, 8 pm at the Waterfront Hotel Cebu.

“I am very excited to be one of the judges of Queen of Cebu 2010 and grateful to Cary Santiago, Sal Malto and the rest of the members of Clothes for Life Foundation for inviting me here,” says Rica who holds the distinction of being the first ever transgender housemate in the Philippine version of Big Brother.

“As the current Vice Chairwoman of the only transgender rights advocacy organization in the Philippines, I am happy that Queen of Cebu exists as a platform to showcase the beauty and brilliance of transgender Cebuanas,” adds the transpinay celebrity. A day before the pageant, Rica flew to Cebu to give the 21 Queen of Cebu 2010 candidates a talk on self-empowerment, gender identity and human rights.

STRAP salutes Queen of Cebu

Every girl dreams of being treated like a Princess. But in Cebu, they can actually dream of becoming a Queen.

The Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP) congratulates the organizers of Queen of Cebu on its sophomore year. Envisioned as an alternative pageant, Queen of Cebu has proven not only to be a grand showcase of the beauty, talent & splendid uniqueness of the Cebuana transpinay but as well as a magnificent platform to advocate for respect of gender diversity & the right to determine one’s gender identity.

Thank you to those who put together Queen of Cebu & for setting a very high bar indeed. As has been said, excellence is the best deterrent to sexism. Now our Cebuana transpinay sisters have another prestigious pageant that they can not only be proud to be a part of & call their own but as well as to use to break down barriers of prejudice.

May dreams come true on pageant night (6 November 2010, Saturday, 8 pm, Waterfront Hotel Cebu)! May all the candidates’ stars shine bright! And to the next Queen, may you reign in kindness & compassion, love & light!

In sisterhood,

The Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines
www.tsphilippines.com
strapmanila@gmail.com

The Right to Self-Determination, a forum on transgender human rights

STRAP girl featured in Metro’s I, Woman

In a feat that can only be called groundbreaking, Dee Mendoza, one of the original founding members of the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP), is featured in the March issue of Metro Magazine, the Philippine’s premiere lifestyle magazine in its section called I, Woman.





Mendoza has served as STRAP’s Chair for four years and has worked as a marketing manager at the Makati Central Business District in the last six years. When asked about the landmark article on her in Metro Magazine, she quipped “I hope that when people who are dealing with difficult gender and identity issues see this, they will have hope and be inspired and continue the path to becoming the real person that they are inside.”


Metro Magazine is available in all leading bookstores nationwide. Grab your copy now.


Photo by Ian Castanares