Sescon, Jose Narciso Melchor C. MD DPOGS, Alfeo Salcedo
Remedios AIDS Foundation Inc., Manila, Philippines

MOBILIZING TRANSGENDERS FOR HIV PREVENTION
THROUGH CULTURAL PRESENTATION

ISSUE:

Transgenders are object of "discrimination" in the Philippine society and are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS/STD infections. In the Philippines, they are socialized into playing the submissive roles of women and are manipulated by men for financial gain. While they are known to be "service providers" in many ways like dressmaking and cosmetology, added functions like organizing cultural activities within the communities, ranging from drag shows to religious processions are also their roles. The need to translate these cultural skills have been applied by REMEDIOS AIDS FOUNDATION, INC to transform these skills for HIV education.

DESCRIPTION:

The project therefore has aimed of training and mobilizing a core team of transgenders for HIV/AIDS prevention. Utilizing their special artistic skills and talents, messages on HIV/ AIDS/ STD prevention were translated. It also aimed to reach other groups at risks as well, such as sex workers and men who have sex with men to reduce their risks in contracting the disease. Geographical foci were low income districts in Metro Manila.

RESULTS:

About twenty transgenders were recruited as peer educators for the project. Learnings skills were basic HIV/AIDS/ STD education, condom demonstration , sexuality and negotiating skills were also integrated. After which cultural repertoire were prepared injecting the HIV/AIDS issues. Such repertoire were presented to community folks as an informational campaigns A total of eleven shows were mounted for the project. Remedios volunteer-counselors were also present to complement further inquiries about the issues . Subsequent small group meetings among recruited transgenders and men who have sex with men were conducted to have an in-depth discussion about the said issues.

CONCLUSION:

The project validates the fact that transgenders/transsexuals have low levels of awareness on HIV/AIDS/STD prevention in the Philippines. The need to have culturally appropriate and sensitive programs has to be thought of in order for them to realize their vulnerability with the disease. Issues on sustainability has been addressed to come up with activities for the project itself and not be thought of as an event oriented activity.