Old LY Site

By Carlos Diego A. Rozul This month of June marks a significant event within the LGBTQ+ community around the world. It was in June 1969 when the Stonewall Riot in Manhattan, New York ultimately turned the tides in the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States, which is why the world celebrates LGBT Pride in the month of June [1] . Filipino LGBT youth today may not be aware of the history of a community where they belong. Within the Philippines' conservative culture, the community’s roots have long been ignored by many. As such, let us take a quick look at the history of the LGBT movement in the Philippines, from its indigenous conceptualization to today’s advocacy for the anti-discrimination bill. The first account of women and gender crossing men playing major roles in the Philippine society was the Babaylan , a priestess who was a bounty of knowledge and spirituality. The babaylan even had the power to take charge of the barangay (community) in the absence of the datu (commun

By Mark Angello Ganon June 17, 2017 – 46 new recruits joined LoveYourself’s growing number of volunteers. Held at the People’s Hall of SM Aura Premier, the orientation, headed by LoveU (LoveYourself’s Corporate University) Administrator John Cedric Santiago, welcomed the new volunteers as they embraced the organization’s HIV awareness and prevention advocacy. Batch Marcelino orientation at the People’s Hall of SM Aura Premier The Origins Similar to this year’s batch Guinto, the batch name "Marcelino" is also a tribute to a former location of a LoveYourself clinic. The first clinic, LoveYourself Hub, was originally located at Leon Guinto St. in Manila. HIV testing and counselling was held at the hub from July 2012 until its transfer to 1936-B San Marcelino Street near the corner of Quirino Avenue in Manila. Citing accessibility as the main concern for the relocation, LoveYourself Hub resumed its operations on January 3, 2015. Facade of the second LoveYourself Hub at Marcelino

By Carlos Diego A. Rozul Everyone has talked about a particular status in his or her life, be it their relationship status, their financial status, and heck people talk about their problems on their Facebook status all the time! But one thing that’s rarely talked about is one’s HIV status. Despite its relevance today it is still greatly stigmatized and has been thought of as taboo by many. This monthly column aims to help facilitate discussion on issues surrounding HIV testing and living with HIV. Three months after your last unprotected sexual encounter, you may decide to get tested for HIV as part of your routine. While waiting for the results, you feel anxious and uneasy. When the findings are given, your counselor communicates to you that they come out reactive . While others may feel overwhelmed with emotion, you may feel like time has stopped with a rush of numbness. A lot of questions may rush into your mind, and you may wonder how you would talk to someone about your status.

By Brethren Nge and Jean Natividad It doesn't matter if you're blue, red, green, pink, yellow or any color, shade and hues you might think of. Let's celebrate Pride Month 2017, with colorful lives in unity amidst diversity this June 18, 2017 at the Cinematheque Centre Manila located in 855 Kalaw Ave., Ermita, Manila as we present: “Prism: A Colorful Life in Motion”. The “Prism” will showcase a variety of colorful short films and artistic performances that are quite timely, relevant and full of life's lessons. A showcase that surely pictures the diversity of colorful lives of individuals and of society. From retracing the footsteps of the past to reclaiming precious memories to the reaping the fruits of a firestarter. More than just a film viewing experience, it is an art festival that will promote intellectual discussion and rejoice in the community. Lisyun Qng Geografia (Geography Lessons) Writer and Director: Petersen Vargas Cast: Earl Policarpio, Ross Pesigan Lisyun

By Mark Angello Ganon Let’s TESTMNL ! is LoveYourself and TestMNL’s fast, easy and anonymous HIV testing event held on May 28, 2017 at Victoria Court in Malate, Manila. The whole-day venture, which started at 10:00 AM, catered to a total of 333 clients until its cutoff at 7:00 PM. INSPIRATION and BACKGROUND   Embracing inspiration from the Elton John AIDS Foundation in creating an AIDS-free future, Let’s TESTMNL! created an avenue for individuals of all sexes to have themselves tested . The event was held in conjunction with LoveYourself’s goal to ward off stigma in HIV screening and testing. Eliminating the need to provide personal information was a key point in the large turnout of clients. And on top of the anonymity, accurate results were delivered within 15 minutes from the time of extraction. Owing to the success of its predecessors, LoveYourself Incognito in May 2015 and LoveYourself Incognito 2.0 in the latter part of 2016, Let’s TestMNL! , broke past records when it cate