Who are we?
Filipino LGBT Europe is a foundation set up and initiated by racialised Filipino LGBTIs and allies in Europe since 2018. The foundation’s advocacies include :
- The fight for the legal and social protection of Filipino LGBTQIA+, their partners and families in the Philippines.
- The passing of the SOGIE Equality Law in the Philippines.
- Increasing visibility and improving the lives of Filipino LGBTQIA+ persons and refugees in Europe.
How do we operate?
Filipino LGBT Europe was established, run and managed by Filipino LGBTQIA migrants together with their partners and allies.
As a registered stichting in the Netherlands we follow a notarized set of guidelines which is supervised by the board of directors for implementation and instructions.
The LGBTQI+ committee is the main arm that handles the administration of the foundation and responsible for handling membership concerns and issues. The LGBTQI+ committee comes up with a list of projects, which is then discussed with the board of directors. The board of directors is the decision-making body of the foundation. It is composed of predominantly LGBTQI+ board members. Out of five members, four are LGBTQI+ and one ally. Together, they serve as an advisory board to ensure that the projects and activities align with the Foundations principles and advocacies.
Should there be budget requirements, the resolution will then be submitted to the board of directors for approval.
FILIPINO LGBT EUROPE
Vision & Mission Statement
VISION STATEMENT
The Filipino LGBT Europe is a shelter/support group for Filipino LGBT’s and its allies living in Europe. A community that advocates equality and empowerment, acceptance and diversity, and social change for the LGBT in the Philippines.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Filipino LGBT Europe is a community foundation that is based in Europe which is dedicated in providing a voice for Filipino LGBTs living in Europe and in the Philippines. It aims to;
- Be a support group for its community;
- Create and maintain an inclusive environment for LGBT Filipinos in Europe;
- Support education and increase HIV awareness in the Philippines;
- Promote and campaign equality in the Philippines;
- Campaign for Legal Recognition of Filipino LGBTs marriage/partnership/unions in the Philippines;
- Mobilize and increase resources for the Filipino LGBT movement in Europe and in the Philippines;
- Provide research and studies that is beneficial for the welfare of its community.
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 – Finland
AC Arellano
Country Coordinator
Email: Amarie@FilipinoLGBT.eu
AC Arellano has lived in Helsinki, Finland for 14 years now. She’s originally from Batangas and moved to Europe in search of better life.
After many years of battling with herself and denying her true self, she decided to be completely honest with herself and has never felt better.
AC feels more comfortable to open up in Europe, to dream big and she feels accepted. She often wonders if she would have the courage to come out and to be as proud of herself if she were to be living in the Philippines.
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.