Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender: LGBT+ is an umbrella term used to describe sexual orientation or gender identity of an individual. LGBT+ youth experience fear of expressing themselves as well as suffering discrimination due of their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression (Hafeez et al., 2017).
Due to discrimination of this nature, the LGBT+ community suffers from an increased risk of depression, substance abuse, trauma, self-destructive and suicidal behavior (Garofalo et al., 1999, as cited in, Hafeez et al., 2017).
Nowadays, there are certain policies and regulations protecting LGBT+ community as well as individuals with HIV/AIDS; however, these policies have not been sufficiently enforced, allowing bullying and discrimination to proliferate. According to Thoreson (2017), many LGBT+ youths experience harassment in the Philippines. There is a clear need to protect these individuals as some are being pushed to the limits of their mental health. One example of an organization aiming to protect this community is the LGBT+ Davao City Coalition, Inc.
Established in Davao City, Philippines in 2016, the LGBT+ Davao City Coalition, Inc. (LGBTDCCI) is presently headed by lead convener Rejie Boy Mingming. Because of discrimination and the low levels of HIV/AIDS awareness in the local community, LGBT+ Davao City Coalition was formed to help alleviate social discrimination and increase awareness. LGBT+ Davao City Coalition is a nonprofit, volunteer organization consisting of 90 LGBT+ groups from all over the nation, aiming to increase opportunities for self-growth, HIV/AIDS awareness, skills enhancement, economic empowerment, and leadership development for members of the LGBT+ community. Currently the organization is headquartered in Davao City, in a building known as the “House of LGBT” which accommodates volunteers, accredited members, and unaccredited individuals to avail themselves of the programs, activities, and fundraising projects overseen by the group. We interviewed Constancio “Teeny” Arnaiz, Jr., the current communication and media officer, to learn more.
Interview
Interviewees
Mr. Constancio “Teeny” Arnaiz, Jr. – Communication and Media Officer, The LGBT+ Davao Coalition
Q: Please share a brief history of the organization.
Teeny: The LGBT+ Davao Coalition was established last 2016 with Mr. Oscar Obenza Jr. as our first lead convenor. Back then, less than 60 accredited LGBT organizations were active across the city, with around 3000 members within Davao. In October 2020, we held an election and appointed a new convenor, Mr. Rejie Boy A. Mingming. Currently, we have 84 accredited LGBT organizations, with around 6000 members in Davao. In 2020, we have invited two notable persons to become coalition advisers — Professor Hadji Balajadia, a transgender woman and part of the Psychology Faculty at Ateneo de Davao University, and also Atty. Meong Cabarde, Coordinator of the Ateneo Public Interest and Legal Advocacy Center (APILA) of Ateneo de Davao University. Since then, the coalition’s membership has increased as a result of their persistent efforts of campaigning and advocating for our members. Their work has produced a generation of individuals who can identify as part of the LGBT+ Community.
Q: What is the inspiration/motivation behind the organization?
Teeny: Growing up in a society full of animosity and discrimination towards LGBT+ people is motivation enough. Additionally, due to the increasing rates of HIV/AIDS in the city, we are motivated to fight the stigma associated with this illness, not only for those who have this condition but also on behalf of those unaffected people who are part of the LGBT+ community, as well as acting to prevent any further cases. Furthermore, we are aware of the factors that prevent closeted individuals from coming out, and one of them is not being able to know their sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. We wish to help all individuals be knowledgeable, understand, and be proud of their sexuality. We are moved to look out for fellow members and constantly remind them that we are just as important as those who fit established standards of sexuality and gender.
Q: Who are the clients/beneficiaries of the organization?
Teeny: The coalition consists of different accredited LGBT+ organizations, and our clients and beneficiaries are certified members. However, there are instances wherein we attend to people who are not coalition members. Since one of our advocacies is HIV/AIDS Prevention and Awareness, we conduct free screening and testing every day for those in need.
Q: What are the advocacies and programs conducted by the organization?
Teeny: The coalition has numerous advocacies, but I will mention the main issues. First up is HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention. We conduct free testing and screening to help people know their status and organize seminars for awareness. Next is SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression) Awareness, wherein we assist people in identifying themselves correctly and taking pride in their sexuality. Another goal is to bring together all the different LGBT groups in Davao City. We firmly believe that in order to gain genuine respect and acceptance of society, we must first coexist in harmony. Community engagement is another forte, where we conduct activities that benefit different communities within the city, such as feeding programs, coastal clean-ups, tree planting and book donations. Then there is leadership and capacity building: we train our members to be effective leaders and individuals in their different communities. Lastly, we advocate for mental health. It is a well-known fact that people who identify as part of the LGBT+ community face an unimaginable amount of discrimination and stigmatization, which can take a toll on their wellbeing.
Q: How can interested individuals connect with these services?
Teeny: You can reach us by simply sending a message on our Facebook page. You can also give us a call, text, or even send an email. Then we can address your concerns and schedule an appointment.
Q: Did you encounter any challenges when starting the organization?
Teeny: I would say that uniting the LGBT+ sectors in Davao City was a difficult thing to do. Growing and maintaining membership is another challenge. This is owing to the fact that when you form an organization, your members must feel there is some benefit in it for them to participate. We require members to submit activity reports every semester to monitor the member’s activities and their progress.
Q: What are your activities on a daily or weekly basis?
Teeny: We have a year-long calendar of activities, which consists of scheduled events, such as sports tournaments, international celebrations like Pride Month, Transgender Day, and the like. Thankfully, despite the pandemic and the strict restrictions, we were able to conduct activities face-to-face. Last June, we held our Pride March, which took us from Freedom Park down to Rizal Park, where we hosted some other activities such as singing, dancing, impersonating, costume contests, spoken word poetry and such. This August, we will be celebrating our 6th anniversary, as well as the launch of the LGBT+ Davao City Coalition Inc. Community Center. Hopefully, we can conduct a year-end party in December. Aside from that, we run HIV/AIDS and SOGIE Awareness programs monthly and HIV/AIDS testing and screening daily.
Q: After years of existing as an organization, what have you learned so far?
Teeny: I have learned that every LGBT+ individual has love, compassion and support for their fellow members. I also discovered that each of our members has the capacity to stand on their own and face discrimination. Moreover, I have observed a give-and-take relationship within the community. This could be evidently seen when we campaign for HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention. When members have the chance to participate in awareness programs, they give back to the community by sharing their acquired knowledge and skills. Also many people in society genuinely love and support us, especially the political leaders in our city. Number one is President Rodrigo Duterte, who has appointed many LGBT+ individuals to different national government posts. Mayor Inday Sara has a special project specifically for the LGBT+ community – an initiative for a sustainable livelihood program whereby participants can learn fundamental entrepreneurial skills and earn extra income. Lastly, our “allies” as well call them support and defend our rights as human beings.
Q: Any special message you want to convey to our readers worldwide?
Teeny: Each country has its own diverse culture, and there are some factors that contribute to the acceptance of the LGBT+ community. I would like to say that we are living in a new world, and we cannot just stick to the past and its long-established beliefs in order to survive in this new world. We must adapt and be progressive, or else you risk falling behind. Resisting the LGBT+ rights we advocate for, due to those outdated beliefs, is endangering people who are part of the community. Aside from conveying this message, I would also like to ask the world a very simple question: I would like to know why is it so hard for other people to accept or at least respect the LGBT+ Community?
Q: In your own opinion, do you think you have already reached your goal?
Teeny: Not yet, since the purpose of this coalition is continuously changing and expanding. For example, one of our goals is to empower every member of the LGBT+ community, and due to the increasing numbers of the LGBT+ population this will be an ongoing task. Looking at the bigger picture, we are slowly reaching our goals, especially in our advocacies. That said, the challenges are still significant, which is why we need to persist with our work in the community for the LGBT+ sector, and of course, in society at large.
Reflections
The Philippines is predominantly a Christian nation, and the teachings of Christianity influence the values of society. Being a member of the LGBTQIA+ Community in an earnestly conservative society that upholds Christian values is not easy. I witness hostile discrimination and wilful prejudices towards my community on a daily basis, especially on social media platforms. The horrid things that people in this community experience are almost beyond comprehension. I could only imagine the psychological toll. I also hear hate crimes reported in the news, and it is incredibly disheartening and at the same time baffling to know the extent of the discrimination they receive. As fellow citizens, we must not accept this unequal treatment in society.
Despite these sad occurrences, we are living in a new world with a new generation, where change is constant and undeniable. The COVID-19 pandemic may be the focus today; however, there are also other social issues such as discrimination that require attention because of the impact on mental health.
Thankfully, certain nonprofit volunteer organizations like the LGBTDCCI are addressing these problems and helping society to adapt to new values. We should support these organizations and aid them in achieving their goals. As their hashtag conveys, #keepgoing and continue on with our lives.
References
Hafeez, H., Zeshan, M., Tahir, M. A., Jahan, N., & Naveed, S. (2017). Health Care Disparities Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth: A Literature Review. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5478215/?report=reader#!po=58.3333
Thoreson, R. (2017). “Just Let Us Be” Discrimination Against LGBT Students in the Philippines. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/report/2017/06/21/just-let-us-be/discrimination-against-lgbt-students-philippines
Researchers
Good day, everyone! My name is Hyacinthe Te, and I am 20 years old and a third year Nursing Student from San Pedro College, Davao City, Philippines. I was born and raised in General Santos City, but moved to Davao City seven years ago. I am currently the class president of my section and the president of Volunteer Service Provider. I am fond of doing volunteer work and taking part in community engagement activities. After graduating from nursing school, I would like to study to become a medical doctor. I enjoy reading, writing, music and watching films.
Good day, everyone! I am Jacob De Cilis, a 22-year-old Filipino, currently in my fourth year as a student of San Pedro College (SPC) in Davao City, Philippines. I am presently studying for my Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science. As a student at SPC, I am fond of conducting research and doing medical laboratory tests and procedures. Aside from that, I enjoy collaborating in a group or with a partner, and I am willing to participate in various activities or events such as volunteer programs, contests, and such. Among my hobbies, the two worth-mentioning are joining community engagement activities and having fun with colleagues and friends.