THE Austrian Embassy in Manila, in partnership with the Intramuros Administration, recently unveiled a public mural in Intramuros, Manila, on June 28 during the “Smile at a Common V.2: For All LGBTQIA+” (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex and asexual) event.
Situated across Museo de Intramuros, the artwork was unveiled by Ambassador of Austria Bita Rasoulian and Austrian drag queen Tamara Mascara during the MNLxVIE Equality Fest 2019.
According to the embassy, Smile at a Common is a project that “attempts to influence perception of ourselves. A public wall mural, it inspires attitudinal change by forcing us to confront our sense of identity and togetherness.”
The mural, For All LGBTQIA+, is the second version of another artwork, For All Women. It features mirrored portraits of celebrated as well as up-and-coming artists who are also members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Finding a home in Intramuros, the painting is a tangible artistic expression of the inseparability of identity, freedom, culture and sense of community.
This project, with the Austrian Embassy at the helm, is the complete creative fusion of Austrian artist Katharina Kapsamer’s urban adventure project, Smile At A Fire Hydrant, as well as Salzburg Global Seminar for Young Cultural Innovators Alumnus and Filipino artist Ralph Eya’s new genre-public art initiative, “We Are Common.”
The MNLxVIE Equality Fest 2019 is a campaign against gender-based discrimination and violence by the Austrian Embassy in Manila, Frontrow and Love Is All We Need. The five-day festival championed human rights and the dignity of the LGBTQIA+ through creative activism.
Activists protecting the community
CELEBRATING “Pride Month,” the Austrian Embassy in Manila also held a forum: “LGBTQIA+ Greatness in Leadership: An Equality Talk,” a panel discussion against gender-based violence and discrimination at the cinema of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB)’s School of Design and Arts Campus.
Austrian artist and intersex rights activist Noah Rieser, 2018 Philippine Bar Exam top-notcher Sean James Borja, as well as Intersex Philippines members Jeff Cagandahan and Ruffi Yulo pointed out the importance of legislation to protect the LGBTQIA+ community from gender prejudice.
The panelists also agreed that the continuous campaign to gender equality will stop harassment, attacks and abuse, thus leading to fair treatment toward the members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The symposium was also part of the first MNLxVIE Equality Fest 2019. It was held in cooperation with Benilde Hive also known as BHIVE, the first accredited LGBTQIA+-oriented student organization of the DLS-CSB.
Image credits: Bhive