Filipino Gay Group nominated to International Humanitarian Commission

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Jun Ariolo N. Aguirre

Kalibo, Aklan- A Filipino gay group who is becoming known worldwide for its advocacy campaign against Sexually Transmitted Diseases including HIV-AIDS prevention was nominated by the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA)-Manila for Felipa Award 2007.

The Felipa Award is initiated by the US-based International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC). The commission is to secure the full enjoyment of the human rights of all people and communities subject to the discrimination or abuse on the basis of sexual orientation or expression, gender identity or expression among others.

Said Felipa Award on the other hand commemorates Felipa de Souza, a woman who was convicted and tortured in Brazil by the Portuquese Inquisition in 1591 for having sexual relationship with other women.

In a document provided to this writer, the Filipino group nominee called themselves the Butterfly Brigade – a self help group of Gay Men and transgenders that has sought partnership with the Aklan provincial government to provide for services on STD’s and HIV-AIDS specially in Boracay Island.

“Through resource mobilization, the organization has forged partnership with the UNFPA for funding of its activities and strategies in setting up services for sexual minorities in Aklan province,” Joseph Carlo ‘Kaka’ Carillo founder of the Butterfly Brigade told this writer in an interview.

The group started in 2001 with small group meetings of gay men and transgendered people who have experienced social stigma and discrimination in the access of health services. In an effort to address the emerging issues, this small group sought the accountability of the Provincial Health Office for the delivery of health services for sexual minorities.

In the same year, thru the provincial assistance extended by the UNFPA the informal organization has advocated and then conducted the first of 11 trainings of gay men and providing them information and education on reproductive health.

Trained peer educators then took a pro-active role in the design and implementation of the reproductive health program in Aklan province, gaining popular support from the community.

Now, the Butterfly Brigade is considered the prime movers for the ‘beneficiaries of implementers’ concept of RH and has since replicated the concept for other provinces in the country. This as part of the UNFPA’s Knowledge Sharing Scheme through technical assistance program.

Carillo said they have been campaigning against STD’s and HIV-Aids among the tricycle drivers, boatmen, local government executives, police force and women (such as commercial sex workers and mothers) young people, through school and community-based information dissemination.

If the Butterfly Brigade wins the award, they will receive a cash award to help further their work. The Felipa Award is one of three awards presented each year at A Celebration of Courage, IGLHRC’s signature fundraising event which is hosted jointly in San Francisco and New York City in US.

The Celebration of Courage provides an important opportunity for the Commission to raise awareness among members, donors, and sponsors about the organization’s work in international LGBTI human rights.