What is the fellowship about?
Many young LGBTQI student leaders develop their activism and advocacy skills while they are in university and while they belong to LGBTQI student organizations, some of which have received mentorship and support from Babaylanes. However, the disruption of the physical learning modalities made it harder for LGBTQI student leaders to organize. Additionally, as we learned from the graduates of the LGBTQI Students Network, many of them lose their platform in advocacy when they leave their universities. There are very limited opportunities for them to take part in the larger LGBTQI movement, without affiliation with a more established LGBTQI organization. On the other hand, many of these older CSOs are not able to tap new advocates who will sustain their work in the movement.
The Babaylanes Equality Fellowship (BEF) aims to not only capacitate young and emerging LGBTQI advocates, but also contribute to the sustainability of LGBTQI organizations which are instrumental to the active participation of more diverse LGBTQI voices in leadership and good governance.
Babaylanes Equality Fellowship is a leadership training program for second-line LGBTQI leaders and advocates currently working in different fields but are committed to start or restart their engagements and connections to the LGBTQI advocacy community.
What can I learn from the fellowship?
The curriculum of the academy will include 8 Discourse and Discussion (D&D) sessions, hangout sessions, field visits, and batch projects. These activities aim to review the knowledge and improve capacities of the fellows in terms of working for the LGBTQI advocacy. The field visits and batch projects will also create avenues for the fellows to be acquainted with different LGBTQI organizations and possible partner institutions. For this cycle, the activities will be done online.
The D&D Sessions will include the following topics:
Session 1: Leadership and Advocacy
Session 2: Effective Advocacy Communication
Session 3: Gender, Sexuality, and Feminism
Session 4: Human Rights Advocacy
Session 5: LGBTQI Issues and Protection
Session 6: Project Management
Session 7: Community Organizing
Session 8: Lobbying
To know more about the curriculum and tentative schedule of the fellowship, click here.
The fellowship will also provide communications support and online class package to all fellows to assist them in participating with the program.
Can I apply to be a fellow?
The Fellowship is accepting 20 participants per batch. Below are the general criteria for the application:
- 20-35 years old;
- Young professionals, student leaders, activists, and advocates who are currently or previously engaged in LGBTQI advocacy work and campaigns in the Philippines. Graduates of the National LGBTQI Students Network are especially encouraged;
- Can communicate in English;
- Committed to the values of freedom, equality, social justice and solidarity, and plans to continue and pursue social and political development work and political management positions.
NOTE: Diversity among the participants and representation of various regions and cultures are encouraged by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives and Babaylanes. Hence, applicants from various backgrounds (geographical location, sex, gender orientations, ethnic and religious groups in the Philippines) are encouraged to apply.
To ensure representation and inclusion, slots for queer women and transgender individuals are also set for the selection process.
When can I apply?
The application for the first batch of Babaylanes fellows is currently open until 15 January 2022 (Saturday) at 11:59PM. Late and incomplete submissions will not be entertained.
How can I apply?
Your application should contain the following documents:
- Letter of Application addressed to Babaylanes, Inc.’s President, Mr. Edwin M. Salonga
- Accomplished Application Form (Download here)
Please send the above-mentioned documents by emailing them to [email protected]. You may also mail it to:
Bryon Neil Senga
Babaylanes, Inc. Office
10-C Matipid St., Sikatuna Village,
Quezon City 1101, Philippines
You will receive a reply confirming your submission within 3-5 working days and containing the link to a Telegram group for further announcements.
If you were not able to receive a confirmation email, please let us know through the same email or through our Facebook page: fb.com/babaylanesinc
Interview Process:
Interviews are scheduled on 28 – 30 January 2022 (Friday-Sunday). All applicants will be interviewed by the 5-member BEF Selection Panel. Each interview will last for around 10-20 minutes.
We will be posting the scheduling system on the official Telegram group for the BEF Applicants. The link to the Telegram group will be sent together with a confirmation of your application.
Interviews will be done via Zoom. Details of the Zoom meeting room will also be communicated through Telegram Messaging App.