Male in RP, Female in Germany
Sass R. Sasot talks about Jenny T. Ramsey, the first non-German citizen allowed to change her legal sex and name in Germany, who, for the Philippines, is still a "he."
STRAP
Thou Art Woman
When the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines was founded in 2002, it was a response to the need of an organization that would focus on the issues, concerns, and needs of the transgender community in the Philippines. Eight years on, and STRAP has established itself as a force to be reckoned with.
Sass Rogando Sasot
Love Advocate
After a suicide attempt, “I lived with a deep sense of purpose: I would help initiate a transgender movement in the Philippines, and I’d like to become part of a group that would help initiate change in our society. I want a society that would cherish, value, and respect the flourishing of one’s individuality,” recalls Sass Rogando Sasot, who helped establish STRAP that now help to empower transpinays.
Let's Go Swimming
By Lola Cam
A statuesque 6’1” Filipina in a bright horizontally striped, orange, green, yellow and blue bikini can’t be missed. But more so a Filipina transgender who isn’t afraid to show off her body.
Humphrey Gorriceta
Spokesperon, NaFFWA
The Big Advocate
“I was diagnosed to be infected with HIV back in 2008. I realized that since I will be HIV positive for the rest of my life, I might as well be productive with the remaining time I have,” Humphrey Gorriceta recalls. And, so, a much-needed advocate in the fight against HIV and AIDS in the Philippines comes into existence.
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Naomi Fontanos
Gender Enabler
"While the biggest challenge facing our community is unity... luckily, the framework ‘GLBTQIA rights are human rights’ puts everyone on the same page." So says Naomi Fontanos, head of STRAP, as she advocates for the recognition of GLBTQIA rights.
Raquela Rios
Hail to the Queen
“For me everyone is entitled (to be who and what) they want to be. If one wants to undergo sexual reassignment surgery to be happy, go for it. But for me, I choose to be a non-op since I know I am a woman, a transsexual woman. I don’t need (any) process of going under the knife to make me a woman.” So says Raquela Rios, star of The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela, who helps re-define what it means to be a woman.
Facing Violence Against Us
By Mikee dela Cruz
Hate crimes against Filipino GLBTQIs need to come in focus - urgently, need since gay murders have become common in the Philippines, and with many GLBTQIs even internalizing the blame for crimes committed against them.
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Questioning Transphobia
Speaking at the United Nations, Sass Rogando Sasot notes that "the sincerity of our intention to address the human rights violations against transgender people rests upon the depth of our appreciation of human diversity and the breadth of our understanding of why transgender people suffer these indignities," she said.
Ryan Silverio
Co-coordinator, TFP 2010
In the Name of Service
 What was just a requirement to complete his undergraduate degree led to Ryan Silverio becoming a GLBTQIA advocate in the Philippines. It was, he recalls, "a chance for me to find reasons why I feel different from the heterosexist world, and how I can contribute to the change process.”
Under Pressure
Patrick King Pascual writes that "we all have standards we unconsciously follow in everything we do - dating included. But every time we feel desperate, we forget we have standards, so that when we meet someone who doesn't even meet them, we allow ourselves to fall, looking at things differently just to experience being with someone for a week, a month, or until we wake up to reality."
Tagulaylay ni Purita Sanchez
Mark Angeles is dazzled by the lights of Metro Manila - and of life's deliveries (good and bad). Time to share the experience.
Team Pilipinas
Facing Inequality
Photo courtesy of Charles Meacham and Sarah Baxter
In October 2008, GLBTQIA group TEAM PILIPINAS was formed to contribute to social change, particularly for GLBTQI Filipinos to gain acceptance. The group now does this partly through sports.
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Or the mystical lands of the Irish. Batanes, the northernmost group of islands of the Philippines continue to be a constant source of wonder, so that they are, indeed, worth discovering over and over and over again. Outrage Magazine helps jumpstart the discovery of these enchanting islands up north with a closer look at why they should definitely (DEFINITELY) not be missed and be visited.
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Interviewed during the 2002 Gay Games in Sydney, Sass Rogando Sasot was asked: "Is the attraction of men towards transsexual women just an effect of the influx of ‘shemale porns’? Is this attraction just an expression of hypersexuality?” She now shares her thoughts to Outrage Magazine's readers.
