The Technological University of the Philippines and Kansai University, Japan successfully held a Gender Equality Seminar last September 4 at IRTC Conference Hall, TUP Manila Campus.
The event was spearheaded by Dr. Florida Labuguen, Gender & Development Head of TUP and Prof. Mayumi Kubota from Kansai University, Japan.
According to Jeffklein Glodove, Co-Founder of Equality Philippines - a private organization that promotes & safeguard the rights of Filipino LGBT through social engagement, one of Professor Kubota's students send him a message through Facebook trying to reach out to the LGBT community in the Philippines for research purposes in aid for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. "Without a second thought, I immediately called and reach out to my colleagues and peers in the LGBT community and luckily, without batting an eyelash, they said YES to the invitation" Jeffklein added.
The Seminar was attended by TUP students, LGBT organizations and 16 delegates from Kansai University.
Raffy Aquino, co-founder of Equality Philippines gave an introduction about how the organization started and its mission and vision
Jeffklein Glodove in his capacity as member of the Quezon City Pride Council Secretariat introduced the connections between Local Government and LGBT highlighting the Quezon City Pride Council to the participants, its mission, vision and values, composition, advocacies, officers and upcoming events.
Kate Montecarlo, President of the Association of Transgender in the Philippines gave a detailed account about Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, brief background of the transgender movement in the country including its advocacies and aspirations to the LGBT community.
Rico Luga, President of Trippers Philippines, delivered a presentation regarding LGBT Clans/Orgs and its contribution to nation building by highlighting their organizations advocacy, projects, charitable works and participation in the advancement of LGBT in the country.
The Seminar also includes presentations from Kansai University students detailing the current situation of LGBT in Japan.
A group discussion facilitated by the speakers was also conducted to check participants understanding on the issues of LGBT and on how they can share the knowledge to their own community.
The event wrapped up with the awarding of certificates to the distinguished guests and the participants from Japan.
