Transgender COLORS, Inc., is a registered non-stock, non-profit, non-political transgender organization based in Cebu City, Philippines who worked for the development of transgender (TG) sector and equality for the Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender (LGBT) community. Since its inception, COLORS is actively advocating for trans-health and rights by conducting activities such as education and information dissemination on STI, HIV, Sexuality and transgenderism as well as advocacy forums on Human Rights, Equality and Non-Discrimination. As such, the organization played a significant role in the milestone passage of a comprehensive Anti-Discrimination ordinance in Cebu City.
When was COLORS involved in HIV response?
COLORS was primarily conceived to advocate for the rights of the LGBT community. As an organization that also conducts education drive, the basic information on STI and HIV prevention was already included as part of its campaign. However, it was only in 2013 when COLORS was actively involved in the process of conducting the transgender women serological and behavioural HIV surveillance activity by Epidemiology Bureau of the Department of Health and supported by World Health Organization (WHO). The study showed an emerging HIV epidemic of 3.7% among transgender women. As such, the need to provide and expand the services of social hygiene clinic (SHC) to transgender women was conceptualized that engaged a community-based organization who works for TG women (COLORS) to reach and increase access of TG women to SHC for STI, HIV and other health needs, this is called the Femina Trans project. To prepare for its active involvement in HIV programme for TG women, several members of COLORS undertook trainings on peer education and counselling.
What is Femina Trans project and when did it start?
Femina Trans Project is an active partnership between a community-based organization for transgender women in Cebu city represented by COLORS and the city health department through its SHC. It was conceptualized to enhance accessibility, availability and acceptability of quality HIV prevention, treatment, care and support and other Trans-specific health services for Transgender women in a series of community health outreach activities. A combination of peer outreach and facility-based ‘Trans-service Desk or Trans- desk’ methods were applied in a series of transgender-led community intervention activities. The project receives a technical and funding support from World Health Organization.
The project officially kicked off in the early part of 2014 as an offshoot to the clamour from local key stakeholders to expand and provide HIV and other health services to transgender women in Cebu city who were recently facing an emerging HIV epidemic.
Do COLORS made a difference for transgender women?
Yes, COLORS through Femina Trans project has shown that the transgender community can be an active partners with a sustainable institution such as the city health department in responding to the HIV epidemic by actively promoting and providing some of its services in the community.
What has changed for transgender women because of Femina Trans?
Greater number of transgender women have increased their knowledge on HIV prevention and have accessed the STI and HIV related services in CCHD SHC. Further, the community-based activities conducted by COLORS through Femina Trans project have also reduced the stigma against transgender through active advocacy and information drive among local barangay officials and local transgender organizations.
Through Femina Trans, a TG-specific space in CCHD known as Trans- desk was also set up and manned by trained TG peer educators from COLORS. TG women accessing services in CCHD will be attended by TG peer educator for services on peer education, counselling and prompt referral for STI and HIV management, if indicated. Further, an operational guideline for TG HIV intervention programme by local health department was also drafted to guide HIV and other health related response for TG women.
What is the most important thing COLORS learned from this project that might help other transgender organization?
It is important for an organization to work with the local health department for sustainability of efforts for TG women. This active partnership allows the provision of a comprehensive package of services from reaching TG women through their peers to active delivery of basic STI and HIV services in the local health facility (SHC).
Contact Details:
Ray “Francheska” Dabon
Executive Director
Transgender COLORS, Inc.
Email: Riaenicci@yahoo.com, Colorful.colors@gmail.com
Mobile: 09432921999
Wyng Cinco
President
Transgender
COLORS, Inc.
Email: Wyngstar@gmail.com, Colorful.colors@gmail.com
Mobile: 09173210088