AKMK - LGBTI Lives Matter Full Project Title: #LGBTILivesMatter: A Grassroots Tri-People LGBTI MovementTowards Rights-claiming and Empowerment

In Mindanao, Philippines, LGBTI people in the tri-people(Bangsamoro, Indigenous Peoples and Migrant Settlers) communitiesremain invisible particularly those with families, clans and communitythat are highly conservative. The strong conservative cultures andpractices dominant in the family, clans and community of the tri-people in Mindanao are often oppressive and violent to LGBTI people, hence,forcing themeither to run away (if not kicked out) or hide deeper intheir closet just to have a family to belong to. One sad experience ofAKMK was when an LGBTI member was arrested in LebakMunicipality when she engaged same-sex relationship. Theywereboth Bangsamoro Maguindanaon tribe and the parents of hergirlfriend reported her to the police using other alibi complaints.Another case, during the height of coronavirus lockdown, a group ofyoung LGBTI people in Lanao del Norte was arrested, detainedandharassed when they posted a video in social media exposing theinefficient emergency relief operation done by their Barangay Officials.Another was a group of Lesbian inMaguindanao were forced to havetheir heads shaved. These problems are just among theissues thatthe Sexual Orientation Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE)Equality Bill would like to address. However, for almost two decadesthe bill lingers long in Congress dominated by ultra conservative andhomophobic government leaders. Apparently, LGBTI people inMindanao particularly in the four areas identified by the projecturgently need protection against immediate violence from family, clansand community. And the best protection remedy is for LGBTI tomobilize their ranks in educating their community and the public aboutthe SOGIE Bill, campaign for its LGBTI safe space mechanism fortheir protection and active participation. The project is about initiativesof LGBTI people with their alliance formation AKMK in addressing themost pressing issues ofdiscrimination, social inequality, invisibility andlack of security protection experienced by LGBTI people in tri-peoplecommunities in Mindanao. Through this project, AKMK will mobilize itsLGBTI members in four (4) different clusters such as Lebak, SultanKudarat, Iligan City, Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte and Begong,Zamboanga del Sur that have in placed structures to organize theeducational sessions, advocacy and dialogue activities in differentlevels – family/clan, tribal groups and community; that would bringabout changes in the abovementioned situation. The overall objectiveof the project is to ensure the protection of rights and protection ofLGBTI people as human beings, recognize and respected asmembers of the family/clan, tribes and communities of the tri-people(Bangsamoro, Indigenous Peoples and Migrant Settlers). After 12months of implementation, the project is to achieve the following: a)Increased public awareness and support to the SOGIE Bill and otherLGBTI issues and agenda; b)Built the multi-stakeholders movementfor the #LGBTILivesMatter campaign in the 4 target areas inMindanao. c) Engaged with parents, elders, local tribal leaders andbarangay officials for the LGBT agenda and campaign. d) Equippedthe LGBTI and IMGLAD members with knowledge andskills onLobbying, Advocacy and Campaign Management