Project Bahaghari

Home for the Golden Gays

📌 57 Antipolo Street, Pasay City

Contact Numbers: 0956 271 8185 | 0947 693 0516

Email: rbusa32@gmail.com | Contact Person: Ramon Busa

👉 a home for elderly members of the LGBTQ+ community

👉 surrounded by some small residences, their primary home consists of a small two-storey located along a narrow alley

👉 the home's members faced financial problems due to their age and social status during the pandemic

Background

Justo Justo, a councilor of Pasay and LGBT activist, founded The Home for the Golden Gays in 1975 to address the marginalization and ostracism of elderly members of the LGBT community.

Despite facing setbacks and the temporary closure of their headquarters, the Golden Gays continued to work hard and build their own home through performing drag shows, which attracted sponsors.

Today, the Home for the Golden Gays provides a supportive and welcoming environment for nineteen elderly gay individuals, inspiring people with the power of community and the importance of inclusivity and acceptance.

Project Objectives

Central Objective: to find out the current situation of the Golden Gays

to develop short- and long-term solutions to support their basic needs and increase positive exposure
to implement specific actions that can bring attention to their situation, which can allow different people organizations to look more into the Golden Gays and help them, will be implemented. This includes a drag-show in Pisay (Bahaghari).

Significance

can aid in gathering funds for the financial problems that can arise in the future of the organization
in turn, this would help in the lolas' mental health by reducing stress in their issues by conducting a drag show and info-session
increased awareness on the difficulties the lolas faced, such as discrimination

Needs Assessment

Livelihood projects would be difficult to implement due to their old age (70-90 y/o)
The Golden Gays Members suggested a drag show performance as their fund-raising activity

Project Implementation

Initial Search and Finalization of Selected Community

To explore the history and the needs of the community who will be assisted

Community Visit and Interviews

To properly assess the needs of the target community

Planning of Drag Fund-Raising Event

Performances, Venue, Ticket Prices, Audience Demographics, Overall Theme, Promotions

Preparation for Drag Fund-raising Event

Approval from the ManComm and DSA, Revision of Proposal, Promotion of the event via email and other social media

Actual Drag Fund-raising Event

Final Briefing before the event, Setting up of Logistics and Registration, Cleaning up after the event

Final Visit and Turnover of Donations to the Golden Gays

Turnover of physical payments, plus the food and water donations courtesy of our teachers

Findings and Results

Sustainability

In terms of sustainability, the project hopes to push the organization as a subject of fundraising in the projects of other batches to help Golden Gays Manila in the future. Our project aims for the Philippine Science High School to establish a connection with the lolas in order to provide more long-term solutions to aid their living, and if possible, also provide sustainable aid and assistance other pro-LGBTQ+ organizations. At the same time, we can also use this as an opportunity to make the Pisay System more inclusive, accepting, diverse and equitable community.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The event was a success as both the Lolas and Pisay audience enjoyed the show and learned about the lives of the Golden Gays. Their stories made a lasting impression, resulting in news features and increased donations exceeding the expected revenue from various donors. All proceeds were successfully given to the Golden Gays, providing them with financial and physical support after their performance. But while the project was a success, those who plan to make this project a foundation for other similar and beneficial studies must take some necessary steps to ensure that their projects will be just as much of a success as this one.

It is crucial to communicate effectively with the Lolas, who prefer face-to-face interactions. This means making an extra effort to visit them in person and hold interviews or discussions to fully understand their thoughts and ideas. Surveys can be used, but if they will be used, it is better to have them explain their answers to these questions in person. Transcripts and recordings are recommended to capture all details, and audience briefing is important for any similar drag show and info session project. By taking these necessary steps, conflicts and misunderstandings can be avoided, and the project can be carried out successfully without any complications and problems.

Reflection

Despite the uncertainties and struggles in planning and organizing the program, we persevered and successfully held the event, raising funds that exceeded our initial goal and which will directly benefit the Lolas. We felt fulfilled and grateful for the opportunity to work with and get to know the Lolas better, and for the support we received from everyone who believed in our project. The event was a memorable success, with both the Lolas and the audience enjoying the drag show and info session. Overall, it was a heart-warming experience that we will never forget.

Not only that, but it is also a huge moment of victory and representation for not just the elderly community, but also (more importantly) the LGBTQ+ community. By allowing this drag show to happen, we were able to succeed in giving a platform for the Lolas to shine, empowering the lives of many elderly and/or Filipinos while also raising awareness on their situation to allow other generous hearts to come to their aid. We were able to help them in our own way, and in doing so, we were able to uphold our fight against hatred and discrimination these people face yet don't deserve, while also allowing ourselves to open our hearts to empathy and compassion for them. We were able to stand by our fellow Filipinos by doing this, and if that is not fulfilling or joyous, we truly don't know what is.

Reflection Video

Media Credits: Golden Gays Manila FB Page, Sir Arnold Lapuz' FB Page, GMA Integrated News

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