Filipino-European LGBTQIA+ Advocates Forum 2024

Following the successful inaugural Filipino-European LGBTQIA+ Advocates Forum in Amsterdam, The Netherlands in 2023, the Filipino LGBT Europe Foundation is proud to announce that this year’s forum is set to take place in Vienna, Austria in cooperation with Vienna Pride.

The Filipino LGBTQIA+ Forum 2024 will include empowered and dedicated Filipinos who are active in LGBTQIA+ advocacy work from diverse backgrounds and expertise. 

The Forum aims to provide a safe and collaborative platform for Filipino persons in Europe to connect, share, and learn from each other. We hope that the Forum will inspire and empower participants to contribute in making positive changes in society.

During the Forum, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with other migrant communities who may have experienced similar challenges and discriminations of being migrant in Europe. It will be the ideal platform for the community to engage as well as to create a formal network of support.

Vienna Pride 2024 is set to unfold from May 25th to June 9th, with the Pride Parade on June 8th being the anticipated zenith, where over 300,000 individuals are expected to come together in a vibrant celebration and demonstration of unity. Another highlight is the Pride Run Vienna on June 7th, where hundreds of participants, running and in wheelchairs, will once again make a statement for acceptance.

After a four-year hiatus, the Pride Village will make its grand return to Rathausplatz (City Hall Square) from June 6th to 8th. Over three full days, community organisations, LGBTIQ artists, and partners will come together to showcase and invite everyone to experience LGBTIQ culture and support our causes! These events will be complemented by a myriad of other festivities, each adding to the rich tapestry of Vienna Pride.

Sat, 8 June 2024

Day 3: Rainbow Parade

Filipino LGBT Europe joins Vienna Pride Rainbow Parade 
Time: 12:00 pm start

Note: We will use English and Filipino languages as medium of communication during the forum.
Please kindly let us know if you need translations in order to attend or participate. 

Meet & Greet – Rooftop Drinks

Thu, 6 June 2024

Welcome Drinks 5:00 – 8:00pm
Rooftop, 25hours Hotel Vienna
MuseumQuartier
Lerchenfelder Strasse 1-3
1070 Vienna, Austria

Town Hall Meeting

Philippine Situationer Session

Discussion about the newly created Department of Migrant Workers and Special Committee on Filipino LGBTQIA+ Affairs and its meaning and effect to Filipino Migrant community.

Friday, 7 June 2024
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Nordbuffet, Rathaus Wien

Panel Discussion | Q&A :
Usec. Py Caunan – TBC
Director Dindi Tan – TBC

Reception

Friday, 7 June 2024
Time: 18:30 – 20:00
Festsaal, Rathaus Wien

Speakers:
TBC

Filipino – Austrian Community calling for the passage of the SOGIE EQUALITY BILL in the Philippines

The Filipino-Austrian Community joined the Rainbow Parade in Vienna Pride to call for the passage of SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression ) Equality Bill in the Philippines on Saturday, 17 June 2023.

Head of the Vienna Pride organisation Katharina Kacerovsky-Strobl and Filipino LGBT Europe chair Chris Sta Brigida Kopp led the Filipino-Austrian LGBTQIA+ community as they marched in front of the Vienna City Hall and the Austrian parliament. They were joined by Filipino-Austrian LGBT families, parents of LGBT community members, friends and allies.

“We are here today in Vienna to call the attention of the Philippine government. The SOGIE bill is the longest running bill under the Senate and Congress, for over 20 years. It’s time for the bill to be passed. It would give legal protection at work, secure access to education and health care and prohibit discrimination on the basis of one’s sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. It’s time to pass the bill now” Sta Brigida Kopp said.

“We do not want acceptance, we want our rights!” added Luna Obcial⁩ during an interview with a radio station (RadioWien) in Vienna.

More than 300,000 people from various groups, organisations and spectators joined the annual parade.

Registration to the Filipino-European LGBTQIA+ Advocates Forum 2024

Please kindly let us know if you are interested to join us.