BARANGAY is an organization created by and for the Los Angeles Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Filipinos. This year, under the leadership of Francis Aquino, Barangay’s goal is “building bridges and breaking down barriers.” This organization, which is named after the native Pilipino term for “a village” or “community”, has long been a vibrant and respected presence in the gay Asian and Pacific Islander Community.
Barangay has been an informal presence in Los Angeles since 1990, to serve the growing gay Pilipino community, and was eventually formalized as an official organization in 1996.
Mission Statement: BARANGAY is dedicated to providing a supportive environment for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Filipinos; to meet and discuss concerns relevant to being Filipino and Gay; to foster positive self-esteem; and, to advocate in behalf of its members and the Gay Filipino community in the United States.
After a lull that lasted for the past several years, BARANGAY LA has been re-invigorated in recent years by a dynamic collection of leaders headed by Deekee Gaerlan in 2004 and current President Francis Aquino, and is now looking forward to a bright and bustling future as an organization. This strong surge in growth has not only been limited in the Los Angeles area either, as Chapters in New York, in San Francisco, and in San Diego are currently in the final stages of formation which should be completed within the next year or so.
Barangay Members at the 18th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture in San Pedro, CA.
BARANGAY has worked with other gay Asian groups and participated in different events such as “I Will Survive,” the largest HIV/AIDS fundraiser ever in the Asian/Pacific Islander community. BARANGAY also works to increase the visibility and advocate for Filipinos in the larger gay community in Los Angeles, and is involved every year in the Christopher Street Parade and Festival. Another one of BARANGAY's most popular even is Barangay Idol, now on its 6th year, the event has garnered 6 amazing Filipino Idol champs.
However, BARANGAY is more than just an organization that is fully devoted on fun and parties. Kaibigan (which is the Tagalog word for “friend”) is BARANGAY's monthly newsletter and is the source of all vital news about BARANGAY and its members. Readers can count on it for insightful articles, announcements for events and fun news and tsismis. Furthermore, BARANGAY is also working with Community Based Organizations to provide HIV/AIDS support specifically designed for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Filipinos.
To know more about Barangay Los Angeles, please visit the soon to be launched website www.mybarangayus.com or through email at info@mybarangayus.com.
No Facebook?
i am a homosexual 17 yrs old here in the philippines and im so proud bec. there is an organization that help all the filipino gays all over u.s.a, hopefully here in the phil.we can build a better organization that cares for the gays and build a community that helps all the gays to have their scholarships to send them to school and to have a better future here in our country.
By sonny24 on November 18, 2009 - 10:47pm
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