EDITORIAL
A Landmark Year
Year 1999 proved to be a landmark
year for Filipino gays, lesbians, bisexuals and the transgendered.
five years after the first Gay and Lesbian Pride celebration in the country,
Filipino homosexuals have bonded themselves together to form the first
proactive legislative lobby group aptly named LAGABLAB, of which network
this publication is a proud member.
Early this year, a group of
dedicated gays and lesbians sat down to plan the first issue of ManilaOUT,
of which this issue is the fifth. ManilaOUT is definitely not the
first homosexually-oriented publication in the country, but it is positioned
first in the advocacy of the collective,political, economic, and spiritual
interest of the Filipino homosexual subnation. That should suggest
that by the end of this passing millenium, the leaders of this community
of seven million have begun to avail themselves of the legal, expressive,
and other inherent rights of all creatures of the one True Compassionate
God. Well, those rights already enjoyed by the
63 million heterosexual Filipinos.
There were other significant
milestones in 1999: the filrst Filipino minister of the lesbay-friendly
Metropolitan Community Church, Edgar Mendoza, was ordained last July.
This August, Filipino moviegoesrs
for the first time in the nation's history are being treated to a "pink"
film festival -- right at the heart of Manila's financial district in Makati.
We can rightly say that this millenium won't be closing without more enlightened
Filipinos knowing that like them, homosexuals are deserving sons and daughters
of God, with their own share of virtues and defects just like anyone else.
For so many years, we had been the object of ridicule in Tagalog and Hollywood
movies.
Our story on page 22 about the photo art
exhibit of Raul Teehankee also shows we have many other talented members
of our ocmmunity to whome we can point with pride.
And the list of people coming
out to proclaim their God-given identity is getting longer, not just abroad
but in the Philippines as well. This issue we are proud to announce
that one such man - Bernardo Bernardo - is a model for the community: not
just because he is a man whose accomplishment in his chosen profession
has merited national respect.
The gay and lesbian community
will be proud of Bernardo Bernardo for his example. He has shown
that coming out is a virtue the great majority of our fellow Filipinos
will reward - not just with respect and recognition, but with admiration,
to cap it all.
We in ManilaOUT
take this opportunity to express our pride in having Bernardo Bernardo
as a new pillar for this publication - after having joined this magazine's
Board as vice president. Our article on this Actor's Actor in this
issue explains why we will be always proud of Filipinos who have worked
hard to rightfully become proud of what they have accomplished.
ManilaOUT is published
monthly by ManilaOUT Foundation at Liberty Bldg., 167 13th Street, Port
Area, Manila, Philippines. For advertising inquiry, subscription,
editorial contributions, and correspondence, please address to ManilaOUT
Foundation Liberty Bldg., 167 13th Street, Port Area, Manila, Philippines
or call 715-7149 and 714-3515, Telefax 715-7149, or send email to bayanijr@surfshop.net.ph.
Editorial contributions must be accompanied by return postage and will
be handled with reasonable care. ManilaOUT assumes no responsibility
for safety of artwork, photographs, or maniscripts. Entire contents
copyright 1999 by ManilaOUT Foundation.
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MANILAOUT
Liberty Bldg., 167 13th St.
Port Area, Manila
Tel. 715-7149 and 714-3515
E-mail: bayanijr@surfshop.net.ph
Editorial and Foundation Board
Danilo R. Dimalanta
Chairman of the Board
Bayani Santos, Jr.
Publisher and President
Fr.Richard Mickley, OSAe., Ph.D.
Editor-In-Chief / Corporate Secretary
Bernardo Bernardo
Vice President for Business Development
Catherine O. Valencia
Assistant to Publisher / Treasurer
Editorial Staff
Malu Marin
Women's Consultant, Editorial Adviser
Oscar Atadero
Nikki Legaspi
Ricky Lopez
Jean Enriquez
Simon arias
Neil Stephens
Contributing Editors
Phil Cornejo
Art and Layout Supervisor
Jo Anne Manalo
Layout Artist
Mao Quirante
Management and Editorial Assistant
Marketing Division
Joel de Sena
Public Relations & Marketing Manager
Urduja V. Osit
Othello Marfill
Volunteer Staff
Dominique James
Photography, and Layout Consultant
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