UP Babaylan, together with UP Babaylan Baguio and Clark chapters, proudly presents Here for Queers – a week-long online campaign in celebration of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on May 17 to 22, 2021 with the global theme: “Together: Resisting, Supporting, Healing”.
Here for Queers is an annual celebration that aims to solidify the calls and emphasize the continuous fight to end all forms of hate against the queer community. It is ultimately a part of the bigger call for SOGIESC equality in the Philippines. This year, the campaign will be utilizing different social media platforms as a safe space to elevate queer voices amidst SOGIESCbased prejudice and discrimination against LGBTQI individuals.
The organizers will be accepting commissions for the Art for a Cause initiative from May 3 to May 28. For a minimum donation of 300 pesos, clients will receive their very own abstract, psychedelic-themed portraits which will be done by queer artists to highlight the talents of the community.
Interested patrons may fill out the order form here.
In culmination of the campaign, the Benefit Concert – co-organized with the UPD University Freshie Council – will be broadcasted via Facebook Live on Friday, May 22. This will feature performances by queer artists and operate on a give-what-you-can basis, with the organizations accepting donations leading up to the event as well as throughout the night itself.
A portion of all proceeds from the campaign will go to the volunteer queer artists and performers, while the rest is dedicated to The Golden Gays – Here for Queers’ chosen beneficiary.
The Golden Gays is a non-profit organization that provides support for homeless and elderly gay people in Pasay City. Their members, who are mostly aged 60 and above, still continue to hold drag shows, community outreach programs, and livelihood workshops to support themselves in funding their necessities, utility bills, and other expenses.They have been the designated beneficiary for the fundraising initiative of UP Babaylan’s IDAHOBIT celebrations since 2019.
The University of the Philippines Babaylan is the longest-existing university-based student LGBTQI organization in Asia based in UP Diliman, with chapters in UP Baguio and UP Diliman Extension Program in Pampanga.