Time and time again, the LGBTQIA+ has been the focus of outrageous and dehumanizing hate speech. These narratives center on stereotypes and stigma such as all gays are sexually promiscuous, dirty, ‘mga salot’, that society will be better of without us. Social institutions discriminate against members of the LGBTQIA+ and constantly enforce stereotypes that gay people should only work in beauticians and parlors. The community is branded as abnormal and mentally ill because our self-expression does not subscribe to society’s antiquated norms. We are to blame for all the world's impurities and natural disasters because we represent everything impure that God created. These hateful narratives which people pass around when drinking with friends or even as a cautionary tale to young boys and girls that if they don’t act like their biological sex, God will be disappointed. These casually mentioned, stereotypical, and unjustified statements contribute to the further marginalization and oppression of people with non-normative SOGIESC.
Similar types of narratives were rampant in Cotabato back in 2009. The socio-cultural-political context in Cotabato makes it a dangerous place for the LBGT+. When a strong typhoon struck Cotabato the blame was instantly directed toward the LGBTQIA+ because according to locals, the typhoon represented how wrathful God was towards the emergence of these LGBTQIA+ and that the typhoon was his way o showing it. Exhausted from the constant marginalization, Bangsamoro lesbian residents decided then and there to begin an initiative that seeks to create safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ in Mindanao. The birth of the Initiatives and Movements for Gender Liberation against Discrimination (IMGLAD).
IMGLAD, in its fight for freedom, has encountered a lot of challenges and tribulations but we believe that this only strengthened the initiative. Now, IMGLAD is strong and brimming with pride with its new members and established chapters and IMGLAD is ready to continue the movement on its home turf, Cotabato City. The LGBTQIA+ in the context of Muslim Mindanao, emphasizes the why of why we need to strengthen efforts in Cotabato and Maguindanao, especially with the prevalence of forced shavings and corrective rape. These degrading acts represent the importance of rekindling the movement in Cotabato which will serve as a pillar for the liberation of LGBTQIA+ members in Muslim Mindanao.
To serve as a springboard activity that allowed IMGLAD to express its interest to revive the organization to the founders and LGBTQIA+ members and allies in Cotabato and Maguindanao IMGLAD gathered for an Online Rainbow Session entitled “Why LGBTQIA+ Movement”. The online gathering was attended by some of the founding members of IMGLAD along with LGBTQIA+ members and allies from Cotabato and Maguindanao.
The discussion centered on discussing the two opposing views on pride – pride as a celebration and pride as a protest. Additionally, some ideologies on which we view the advocacy were also discussed such as the Feminist, Human Rights, and SOGIESC framework. The discussion provided insight into why there is discrimination and how we end it. It allowed the participants to reflect on which ideology should be best utilized to forward the advocacy.
During the open forum, Sunny Jumuad, founding member of IMGLAD started the discourse by asking “How are we going to promote SOGIE in BARMM?” This sparked numerous insights from both the lead discussant and the participants, suggesting ways to safely penetrate BARMM on discussing topics such as SOGIESC. Solutions centered around educating the locals, establishing a self-organized LGBTQIA+ organization, and adjusting approaches to cater to the pre-existing laws on gender to protect LGBTQIA+ members and allies. Despite the difficulty, everyone has hope that we can foster an LGBTQIA+ safe space in BARMM.
Much still needs to be done to create this LGBTQIA+ friendly utopia here in Mindanao but little by little, we can all be a contributor towards achieving this vision. We as LGBTQIA+ leaders and members, through our efforts, can create ripples of positive change that will help create a safe and inclusive space for current and future LGBTQIA+ members.
In the spirit of IMGLAD creating safe spaces, these photos are posted with the consent of the participants.
IMGLAD is currently implementing a project entitled "IMGLAD to Consolidate Pride in Mindanao." This project is hosted by Mindanao Peoples' Peace Movement (MPPM) and supported by Voice. This activity is under the project’s three-pronged strategy, Unfurling the Pride.
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