FEATURES
October 2020 Issue
Olympus Society of Davao celebrates its 6th anniversary written by Russel Clint Francis So
and partnerships with agencies, organizations, and institutions with Olympus Society of Davao’s values and principles in line with humble beginnings can be their advocacy. traced back to June 2014 when it began as a text-based Advocating for equality for the LGBTclan. On October 17, 2014 QIA+ community, the organization when the induction of the or- implements their community interganization’s officers cement- ventions in line with their core values ed Olympus Society of Davao which is to be non-discriminatory, into the forefront of the re- interdependent, inalienable, equal, vitalization of hope, commit- and universal. As they celebrate this ment, and passion for equal 6th year milestone, Olympus Society rights amongst the members of Davao aims to expand their reach of the society. throughevents, health centric programs, and extending their input in The organization envisioned a soci- policy making and lobbying to fulfill ety where the members of the LG- their commitment to the LGBTQIA+ BTQIA+ community are given equal community. rights, privileges, and respect. Olympus Society of Davao journeyed on To know more about Olympus Socieits mission to commit into strength- ty of Davao, you can start by followening the capabilities of its mem- ing them on Facebook @Olympusbers, raising the consciousness of the SocietyofDavao. You may also visit communities on human rights issues them at Olympus Society of Davao to concerns such as addressing stig- Inc. Community Center Door 2, #36 ma and discrimination towards the Loyola St., Poblacion District Davao LGBTQIA+ community, and lastly by City. further establishing collaborations
Photo by @OlympusSocietyofDavao
Kagay-an PLUS to engage more ambassadors through their annual pageant written by EJ Marquez December 1 is known to be World AIDS Day and is celebrated by HIV advocates worldwide. Every year since 2016, Kagay-an PLUS Inc. has been organizing a pageant aligned with the advocacy. In celebration, the organization will launch the first online "Mister and Miss Kagay-an PLUS," a pageant search for Cagayan De Oro (CDO) human rights, HIV and AIDS ambassadors.
Prior to the pageant, the aspiring ambassadors shall undergo a week-long training related to the HIV advocacy. The sessions will tackle topics such as peer education, human rights, understanding STI, HIV and AIDS, SOGIE, and the Republic Act 11166.
After the evaluation process, 5 Men having sex with Men (MSM) and 5 transgender woman (TGW) will be selected from the pool of applicants to become the official candidates of the pageant. The 10 candidiThe pageant aims to spotlight community ates will then be engaged in KPLUS' online members and consequently engage them campaigns while preparing for the actual in reaching more clients for HIV services. pageant. Codnizant to the pandemic, Mister and Miss Kagay-an PLUS will be held online to Mister and Miss Kagay-an PLUS 2019 keep the community safe while putting the Michael Alvarez and Ms. Klein Cortez respotlight on the organization’s advocacy. spectively, along with 1st Runner-ups Rjay
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Ocag and Amanda Benimerito, went on to fulfill their post pageant commitment through a series of activities such as mobile outreach, radio guestings, sponsor visits, and national trainings and workshops. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Mister and Miss Kagay-an PLUS 2020 will engage mostly through online activities with limited onsite appearances. The 2020 winners will be engaged in the same activities as with the previous winners but this year, they will have special appearances on the newest Kagay-an PLUS online talk show, "ChikkaAdvocates." Be updated on the current activities and campaigns of KPLUS leading to the Mister and Miss Kagay-an PLUS pageant by following them at @kagayanplus2015.
