The Philippines: Ripe for LGBT Employee Networks

1. The Philippines: Ripe for LGBT Employee Networks Dana Rosete Ronil Villacorta Adam Baron Kelly Miller

2. Workshop Agenda • Introductions • Meet the Philippines! • The Thomson Reuters Story • Key Takeaways • Discussion and Questions

3. Meet the philippines!

4. Mabuhay and Welcome to the Philippines! • The Philippines is an archipelago comprised of how many islands? • 57 • 734 • 3,219 • 7,107 Manila

5. Mabuhay and Welcome to the Philippines! • The Philippines is an archipelago comprised of 7,107 islands located in the Western Pacific Ocean in Southeast Asia. • Total land area is comparable to Arizona • 12th most populous country in the world (101 million, 2011 est.) • There are three main divisions: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao • Most of the islands are mountainous and covered in tropical rainforests, with usually hot and humid weather Manila

6. Western Influence in The Philippines • What two countries are represented in the official seal of Republic of The Philippines? • USA and Spain

7. Western Influence in The Philippines • Islands originally populated by various indigenous tribes • The Philippines were established by Spain in 1565 and named after King Philip II • Islands ceded to the United States in 1898 as part of the Treaty of Paris • Republic of Philippines became independent in 1946 • Western influence can be seen everywhere from language, names, cuisine, arts and music

8. Western Influence in The Philippines • National language is Filipino. The Philippines has the largest population of English speakers (as a second language) in the world. • One of the most apparent influences of Spanish rule is seen in religion where 80% of the population identifies as Roman Catholic • Government based on three branches similar to the US; President, bicameral Congress and Supreme Court • Education system structure similar to that found in the US

9. The LGBT Landscape

10. The LGBT Landscape • What do you call a person who speaks the gay lingo? Bekimon

11. The LGBT Landscape - LAWS • CRIMINALIZATION • No laws criminalize homosexuality. • ANTI-DISCRIMINATION • No laws prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, but there is a pending anti-discrimination bill in Congress • MARRIAGE and FAMILY • No legal recognition for same-sex marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships. • No legal recognition for adoptive same-sex parents • MILITARY • Sexual orientation does not exempt citizens from CAT (Citizens Army Training). The Philippines ended its ban on allowing openly gay and bisexual men and women from serving in the military in 2009. • GENDER CHANGES • It is illegal to change genders on an official document. This is not allowed even after sex reassignment surgery.

12. The LGBT Landscape - POLITICS • POLITICAL PARTIES • Political parties are typically very cautious about supporting LGBT rights, as most fall along the social conservative political spectrum. • AKBAYAN PARTY: National citizens party made up of various sectors who traditionally have had little voice in government: youth, women, fisher folk, elderly, gays and lesbians, Muslims and workers. First version of the Anti-Discrimination Bill (HB 634) was authored by Akbayan. • LADLAD PARTY:Political party for LGBT Filipinos running for representation in Congress in 2013. Founded in 2003 and comprised of LGBT and LGBT-friendly members. In 2009 the Commission on Elections rejected their bid for representation on “moral” grounds. • SECTORS • Under the Philippine constitution some 20% of seats in the House of Representatives are reserved for “sectors” (categories such as the elderly, peasants, labor, etc.). In 1995 and 1997, unsuccessful efforts were made to reform the law so as to include LGBT people. • UNITED NATIONS • The Philippines abstained from voting on the UN declaration on sexual orientation and gender identity which condemns violence, harassment, discrimination, exclusion, stigmatization, and prejudice based on sexual orientation and gender identity. • UNITED STATES EMBASSY • Celebrated LGBT Pride Month in The Philippines for the first time ever in 2011 • Event hosted by US Ambassador Harry Thomas

13. The LGBT Landscape – COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS • RAINBOW RIGHTS PROJECT • Lesbian and gay lawyers and legal activists promoting rights of LGBT Filipinos • Acclaimed for their “rainbow cards” • PINK: basic rights, what to do if arrested for offense common to LGBT community • BLUE: legal protections for lesbians in relationships • LILAC: basic rights in the workplace • UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES BABAYLAN • Leading LGBT student group for all UP campuses, founded in 1992 • INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE PROJECT • Encourages organizations to adopt workplace non-discrimination policies the include sexual orientation and gender identity/expression • Developed the Inclusive Workplace Philippines List • PHILIPPINE NATIONAL LGBT CONFERENCE • 2011 conference hosted participants from 46 LGBT groups across the country • Call for government action and collaboration on community outreach strategies

14. The LGBT Landscape – THE LINGO • LGBT TERMS • SWARDSPEAK • “Sward” meaning gay male • Coined in the 1970s, it enables Filipino gays to resist dominant culture and carve out a space of their own.

15. The LGBT Landscape – THE LINGO • What is the English translation of Murriah Carey? • diva • glitter • cheap • fierce

16. The LGBT Landscape – CULTURE • Macho Dancer • First indie gay film • Released in 1988 by Filipino director Lino Brocka • BryanBoy • Filipino fashion blogger • Site receives 5,000 visits/day • Fans include Marc Jacobs and is recognized as an influence by major fashion publications • Aiza Seguerra • Popular actress and recording artist became a celebrity at the age of 3 • Came out as lesbian in 2007

17. The LGBT Landscape – CULTURE • ZsaZsa Zaturnnah • Popular comic book super heroine created by Filipino artist Carlo Vergara • Alter ego, Ada, is a gay man who turns into ZsaZsa by ingesting a pink stone and shouting “Zaturnnah” • Amazing Philippine Theatre • Founded in 2001, it’s one of the biggest entertainment venues in Asia featuring transgender performers • Jose “Pitoy” Moreno • Top Filipino fashion designer internationally once dubbed the “Fashion Czar of Asia” • Has dressed royalty, politicians, socialites and celebrities around the world

18. The LGBT Landscape – CULTURE • Name another prominent Filipino celebrity.

19. THE THOMSON REUTERS STORY

20. Cross Border Beginnings Global LGBTF Network Formed at Out & Equal 2010 • Network initially active in the US and UK • Global expansion goals, but no clear plan Executive Sponsor Recruited in Hong Kong • Straight ally, ex-New Yorker who just relocated • Requested larger Asia LGBTF presence LGBTF Story on Internal Site Attracted Global Members • Executive sponsorship announcement appeared online • Close to 30 members in Manila • Onil sent a personal email offering help and recruited Dana to partner

21. Global Partnership Global LGBTF Committee Envisions a Manila Launch • Enlisted Onil and Dana as local leaders • Requested funding from Executive Sponsor • Brainstormed event ideas based on US experiences • Leveraged internal communication channels to promote event • Utilized LGBTF website as a place to host information, and drive engagement

22. Local Leadership CHOOSING A SOCIAL EVENT • Consulted with senior site officer • Low cost for US even though it was high for Manila • Offered a great place to eat/drink for free; giveaways and gifts • Location would be orientation and gender neutral, • Chose Saturday to accommodate shifts • Kick things off with something fun and social; opportunity to network • Sets up an atmosphere where members will want to give back • Event budget was $1,500 and engaged 50+ people PUBLICIZE! • Utilized posters, email blasts, Facebook, word of mouth • Employees had to join the network to get an invite to the party CHALLENGES • Associating with the LGBTF Network and what that means FOLLOWING UP • Philippines network quickly grew to over 130; largest in the world • Maintain momentum with quarterly events: art show, fun run, pride parade

23. Global Partnership • Onil and Dana joined the global steering committee • Success in The Philippines helping to make a case for the rest of Asia • Serving as a model for future network launches • Share the story at Out and Equal in 2011 • Next step: grow relationships with LGBTF network at other multi-national firms in The Philippines

24. KEY TAKEAWAYS

25. Making it Happen in The Philippines • Set goals and expectations • Recruit a senior executive on the ground—and get that person TALKING! • Poll your colleagues—what’s likely to get their attention? • Make it appeal to everyone, not just LGBT employees, and pick the right time • Identify budget resources—make a business case • Start the relationship by setting up gratitude • Provide long distance support and encouragement • Publicize; use a website • Follow up—keep them engaged

26. DISCUSSION AND QUESTIONS