ABOUT US
Founded in 2018, Filipino LGBT Europe (FLE) is formally registered in the Netherlands. It primarily operates in Amsterdam. It is founded, led, and run by racialized LGBTI Filipino migrants in Europe. It is a grassroots organization that believes in the power of ordinary people taking collective action to spark change. We at Filipino LGBT Europe believe in the Filipino values of pakikilahok (close participation), pakikipagkapwa-tao (sharing one humanity), and malasakit (care). We are a regional organization with chapters in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Malta, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Our main areas of activism are: community organising and capacity strengthening, healthcare access, individual and collective well-being, racial justice, trans rights advocacy, and LGBTI rights.
FILIPINO LGBT EUROPE
Vision & Mission Statement
VISION STATEMENT
Filipino LGBT Europe envisions a just and inclusive society where Filipino LGBTI people with migration background can reach their full potential, regardless of their age, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex characteristics, and gender expression. We strive to empower racialized LGBT migrants to combat systemic oppression and structural inequalities.
MISSION STATEMENT
Filipino LGBT Europe harnesses the power of ordinary Filipino LGBTI migrants taking collective action to spark change. As an organization, we facilitate the formation of transnational community ties and alleviate the intersectional impacts of injustice.
FILIPINO LGBT EUROPE
Executive Committee
FILIPINO LGBT EUROPE
Country Representatives / Coordinators
Filipino LGBT Europe – Belgium
August Mateo
Country Coordinator
Email: August@FilipinoLGBT.eu
Filipino LGBT Europe – Germany
Joan Avellanosa
Country Coordinator
Email: Joan@FilipinoLGBT.eu
Born and raised in Davao, she has been living in Germany for more than 20 years. She currently works as a technical drafter (with AutoCad software) for engineering purposes. When she moved to Germany she really wished that there was an organisation similar to ours, when she was growing up. “I found it difficult to really know where to put myself and to find where I fitted in German society.” Being Filipino, lesbian and in rural Germany she wants to ensure that if there are others who feel alone as she did back then…. that they are not alone. Joan and our foundation are here for them. Joan: “I really want to do my part. Back then I had no one, if I can make one person feel better; then it is all worth it.”
Filipino LGBT Europe – Netherlands
Mary Grace Albaran
Country Coordinator
Email: MaryGrace@FilipinoLGBT.eu
Mary Grace who hails from Quezon City has been living for 5 years in Amsterdam together with her partner Ana. Enjoying the work, life, love balance in Europe she feels fulfilled as The Netherlands is one of the countries that has progressive view on LGBT+.
Being a volunteer of the foundation, she and her partner, who strongly identify with the group believes that sharing their time and talent will be for the betterment of the community and its causes. She also wants to be empowered and at the same time empower individuals to be the best person they can be, to be a productive member of the family, the community, and the country without being boxed in by gender.
Filipino LGBT Europe – United Kingdom
Ronnie Del Barrio
Country Coordinator
Email: Ronnie@FilipinoLGBT.eu
Filipino LGBT Europe – Spain
Giovanni Abaño
Country Coordinator
Email: Giovanni@FilipinoLGBT.eu
Giovanni is from Cebu City and has lived in Spain for 14 years now. Searching for a better life and better work opportunity he also had a big change with his sexuality as a gay man living in Europe. He is more open with his feelings because of the people around him being so accepting.
Filipino LGBT Europe – Switzerland
Morse Caoagas Flores
Country Coordinator
Email: Morse@FilipinoLGBT.eu
Morse Caoagas Flores lives in Switzerland and has been living in Europe for the past 16 years. He is from the Province of Cagayan in the Philippines and moved here in Europe, first, as an Erasmus Mundus Scholar for his Graduates studies (Sweden, Germany and Spain) and finally for work with the United Nations Office in Geneva, in the field of international law and human rights.
Filipino LGBT Europe – France
Mark Anthony Bonayon
Country Coordinator
Email: Mark@FilipinoLGBT.eu
Mark Anthony Bonayon known as MarkPilipinas in the Philippines as a drag queen is living in France since 2016. In the beginning of his career he entered various professions from Fast food server, call center agent and hotel receptionist. He now manages a 5 star hotel in central Paris located besides luxury brands such as LV, Chanel, Bulgari, YSL and Dior in the Champs Elysees.
Filipino LGBT Europe – Malta
Mharvz Napoles
Country Coordinator
Email: Mharvz@FilipinoLGBT.eu
Mharvz Napoles as known to many but by birth as Marvin Napoles Buncayo is happily living and working in Malta since 2015. He was able to climb up from a casino staff and now the First Filipino Senior Check-in Supervisor in Malta International Airport and the Official Catwalk Trainor of Miss Universe Malta since 2018.