TLF SHARE Collective Inc.
Moving MSMs
PUBLISHED: SEPTEMBER 2009

Formerly known as The Library Foundation (TLF), the now-called TLF Sexuality, Health and Rights Educators Collective Inc. (TLF SHARE Collective) was incorporated in 2005 as a “membership organization of peer educators, trainers and advocates committed to the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STI), including HIV (or the virus that may AIDS) among Filipino gay, bisexual, and other males who have sex with males (MSM), and the promotion of human rights regardless of sexual orientation and gender identities,” the group’s blog states.

TLF, of course, was founded in 1991 – then one of the pioneers in HIV/AIDS prevention work among MSM in the country, so that the organization sits as one of the NGO members of the Philippine National AIDS Council, the central advisory body empowered by Republic Act 8504 to lead the country’s comprehensive response to HIV/AIDS.

Now recognized as a staunch advocate and prolific trainer-educator on gender, sexuality and sexual health issues affecting communities of gay, bisexual and other MSMs, TLF SHARE Collective counts among its key people Joel De Mesa, Ferdie Buenviaje, Glenn Cruz, Jonas Bagas, and Tacing Marasigan.  They have implemented, thus far, project-grants from such donor agencies as Australian Agency for International Development, PNAC, Astraea Lesbian Foundation, International HIV/AIDS Alliance, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM); as well as sub-contracted projects from Health Action Information Network, Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and The Futures Group.

Currently, TLF SHARE Collective manages STI and HIV prevention programs in Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog and Bicol under the third and fourth rounds of HIV/AIDS projects under the GFATM, with the intent of “improving behaviours (by changing) communication and STI management among key vulnerable populations (MSM, persons in prostitution, and migrant workers) in four cities in Metro Manila, San Pablo City, Batangas City, Lucena City and Gumaca, Quezon.”

Other projects are in the Bicol region, mainly in Legazpi City, Tabaco City, and Daraga in Albay, where “TLF SHARE Collective continues to facilitate the strengthening of organized communities of gay, bisexual and MSM communities, as well as participatory governance in local health systems.”