In September 2013, some of the leaders of the Deaf LGBT community pushed for the formation of TransDeaf Philippines after noting the “need to have a trans-specific organization,” said Disney Aguila.
“I believe that a lot of the members of the LGBT community suffer from discrimination,” Disney Aguila said in Filipino Sign Language. “But I also believe that the discrimination suffered by Deaf members of the LGBT community is even worse.”
TransDeaf Philippines is actually a sub-group of the Pinoy Deaf Rainbow (PDR), which was established in December 2010 by Henry “Bibo” Perey II after he noted the “apparent lack of any LGBT organization for Deaf Filipinos”. Prior to this organization’s existence, there were “no representations done for us, by us,” Bibo was quoted as saying.
“We’ve been wanting to have a separate group that will ensure that trans issues are prioritized,” said Disney. After all, “PDR continues to grow big, but it serves as an umbrella organization for all Deaf LGBT Filipinos. Focus may best be done when even from within PDR, there are specific groups to cater to specific sectors.”
In an earlier Outrage Magazine interview, Disney highlighted the challenges faced by Deaf LGBT people, and that Hearing LGBT people may not experience, including the lack of opportunities in finding employment, getting accepted in educational institutions, et cetera. As such, for Disney, “Deaf LGBT people are doubly discriminated”.
For Disney, TransDeaf Philippines will “make sure that PDR delivers the services needed by the specific sectors within the Deaf LGBT community.”
Disney serves as TransDeaf Philippines’ chairman. The current president is Erika Allosa, vice president is Neal Cortez, and the treasurer is Alexis Abad.
With its establishment, TransDeaf Philippines will now helm the Miss Deaf Gay Philippines. But the plans are not limited here, with Disney saying that “we plan to offer trans-specific services the soonest we can.” Already, partnerships have been formed with the likes of the Association of Transgender People of the Philippines to look into services that can be offered to Deaf transgender Filipinos.
For more information on TransDeaf Philippines, contact Disney Aguila at (+63) 9156117284, or visit her Facebook page.
