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Contrary to the perceptions of many, homosexuality is not necessarily condemned by the Church. In fact, the experiences of three LoveYourself volunteers - Rye Tumbaga, Gibs de los Santos, and Geno Maglinao, point to the Church as a safe place of acceptance and love. By Kris Tangco In a TV5 interview in February 2016, Manny Pacquiao, who was then running for the Senate, provoked a storm of controversy with his views on same-sex marriage and relationships. Homosexuals are “worse than animals,” the conservative Christian said on national television, quoting the Bible as reference for his statements. Social media was abuzz for several weeks, and the divisiveness was palpable. Articles from writers like Shakira Sison of Rappler started resurfacing, strongly advocating support for same sex marriage. In one article , the staunch defender of LGBT rights bemoans those who claim to be friends with LGBTs insofar as they are “funny for calling out what’s wrong with [that girl’s] outfit” but are a...

By Jean Natividad Ask anyone what the noblest profession is, and there's a good chance they'll say "educator." It should come as no surprise. Educators, after all, are assigned the Herculean task of shaping people's minds. While not all bearing the title are able to live up to the high standards of their calling, there are those who go above and beyond to fulfill their duties. In LoveYourself, educators exist, too. Counselors, for example, put hours into training, so they can educate their families, friends, and clients about HIV. What most people outside the organization may not be as familiar with, however, is Love U: The Corporate University of LoveYourself, which serves as the learning hub for all of the organization's stakeholders. Ruben, Aaron, Danvic, and Leo of Love U: The Corporate University of LoveYourself Through Love U, individuals inside and outside the organization can expand their knowledge about HIV and matters like SOGIE (sexual orientation, ...

By Ruben Jay C. Alvarez Jr. If you happen to be part of the LGBT community and an advocate of diversity and inclusion, you definitely have an idea of one of the spectrums of the rainbow, the transgender people. With all the heat that is going on inside the senate regarding the passing of the Anti-Discrimination Bill and the hatred and bigotry flowing on social media, it is good to have a glimpse on some of the things we need to understand about our friends from the transgender community. We may not have experienced their struggles, but that doesn’t mean we need not be empathetic; that is humanity. I talked to Yanyan and Bubbles, both LoveYourself volunteers, and asked them to share a part of their life with us, plus tell us why the new Victoria Health and Wellness Center that focuses on transgender persons is such a groundbreaking project. When did you realize that you are a transgender woman? Yanyan: I was a late bloomer. Years ago, I experienced depression, which I believed was due...