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SOUL LAUNCHED AT CAFÉ HON |
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The Society of United Lesbians (SOUL), a fast-growing organization of empowered women, was launched at the Café Hon in Kamias, Quezon City on a full moon last May 7, 2001. The launch coincided with the group's first major activity, a poetry reading dubbed as Kalibugan Ng Buwan (Lust of the Moon): An Erotic Feast. It was the organization's statement on sexuality issues and censorship.
Representatives of various women's and lesbian organizations supported SOUL during the launch as they read erotic poems they have written or have personally chosen. The event was filled with reggae and alternative music by Bletchie and the Girls Band, while Christine Ongpin and Beng Limpin performed a sensual poem. Readers were from LeAP!, U.P. UGAT, U.P. Quill., U.P. ORG, Women's Crisis Center and Womyn Supporting Womyn. The Remedios AIDS Foundation as part of their reproductive health campaign gave away condoms and gave a few tips on how to use it properly.
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AIDS Candlelight Memorial at the Park |
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Last May 21, 2001 the Remedios AIDS Foundation (RAF) staged the 18th AIDS Candlelight Memorial and Mobilization Ceremony at the Paco Park. A poetry reading ensued the opening remarks. The readers were Arnel Santillan, Gilbert Padua, Eric Abuan and Helen Corpuz, all RAF staff and volunteers.
Full Story...
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Fernandina Forum On Media and the Church |
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Are the media afraid of the church?
This was the concern raised at a forum sponsored by the Women's Feature Service (WFS) Philippines on May 30, 2001 at Ciudad Fernandina in Greenhills. The forum bared the attitude of media and the church on reporting reproductive health issues.
Panelists were WFS Philippines President Olivia Tripon, Ton Danenberg, Domini Torrevillas and Rhodora Roy-Raterta.
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First Diliman Sunday Worship Service |
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The first worship service for lesbians, gays and their friends, was celebrated by Fr. Richard Mickley and Rev. Edgar Mendoza in Diliman, Quezon City last May 19, 2001.
The morning worship was attended by people of diverse gender orientation, many of who identified themselves as lesbians. "The ministers for this service are mostly men, but that is only because interested women have not yet stepped forward and identified themselves," according to Father Mickley, founding Pastor of MCC Manila.
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My Rainbow Family
by Louie Marquez
Now I know what it feels like to be an OFW.
Leaving your family for a length of time in search of a better future, putting the very reason for your happiness at risk. Sacrificing yourself for the sake of those you love. Don't come to my door and tell me I don't know what family is.
Less than a year before hitting the big four-O, you can't afford not to be introspective. Four decades into the battle of life, I've survived two previous relationships I thought would last forever.
Full Story...
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LEARNING TO SWIM
By Christine A. Ongpin
I learned how to swim when I was five, was a captain of the grade school swim team for four years and was an assistant coach for a kids' swim team for a year. Everyone who knows me is aware that I can never resist the charm of the waters, and that I would never pass a chance of wading and basking in a splash be it in the beach or in the pool.
Yet I cannot tell that I will never ever drown.
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I have deliberately chosen not to focus exclusively on sexuality issues for I will be writing first of all as a woman, a lesbian, an activist, a family breadwinner, a struggling visual artist, a jeepney/FX commuter, a night-time junkie and a Mickey Mouse addict.
In other words, this column will let you in on the world of a woman whose daily (mis)adventures reflect what she really is.
Welcome.
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