Get in the bus - the 2nd LGBT Zanorte Summit

About a year ago, Roger and I went to Manila to attend the Ang Ladlad National convention. It was supposed to be the largest gathering of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Transgenders (LGBT) all over the country. The event was intended to organize the LGBT force in the Philippines in preparation for the 2007 National Elections where Ang Ladlad vied for a seat in Congress. Election of officers was held and adoption of the Party constitution and by-laws was the top of the agenda. We were invited to represent the southern part of the country. The party paid for my airfare and Roger was reimbursed for his. I was expecting about a thousand or so delegates but the attendees turned out to be less than a hundred. It was pretty disappointing for me pero ok na rin at naka raos ang convention.

Anyway, when we got back, I suggested to my friends that we create our own LGBT organization here. Actually, there was already a gay organization called AlterEgo in Dipolog about a decade ago but it died a natural death. The how and why would entail another blog post. So anyway, I gave them the idea of making it an annual summit for LGBTS all over the province. That was November so the group (Hector, Roger, George and Me) started the painstaking brainstorming on how we could gather people in a span of less than a month for the summit.The 1st LGBT Zamboange del Norte Summit was set on the 29th of December 2006. It was a hell of an experience going around the province talking and convincing people that we know to attend the summit. It was my first time to go around places I’ve heard before but dint have the slightest idea what it looked like. When the world was anticipating the coming of their lord jesus Christ, (meaning December 24) we trekked mountains, rivers, and valleys giving out invitation letters.

The efforts paid off when the attendance turned out to be 110 LGBTs all over the province.

I envisioned the summit to be an annual convening of loose organizations, barkadas, and individuals minus the obligations of pressuring them to do this or that. Except of course for some responsibilities. I wanted it to be more of like a reunion and networking than the usual project 1, project 2, project 3…etc. My objective is to instill unity where every individual’s action is done out of goodwill and not because of their membership to the LGBT community.

I want to see a community amalgamated not because of any obligation but because to unite is already an individual’s reflex.On the 29th of December 2007, the 2nd LGBT ZN Summit will once again be held. I am hoping for the best. These things I do because I believe history has a place for LGBTs and this event similar to the women’s liberation and black and white integration is inevitable and unstoppable. This I believe is the future...and I intend to be a part of it.I may not be a Rosa Parks but at least I'm in the bus. (Reposted by ZanortePride)