The sad thing about discrimination is that it has become such a norm: everyday, we hear and pass off countless jokes about how different some people are. Worse, many of us don’t even bother to educate ourselves on the number of lifestyles that have cropped up in the modern age.

We fail to consider the idea that we share something in common with these “deviants”: a human soul.

And that is what exactly a recent campaign and exhibit is shedding light on. Through a multi-media exhibit (online and on-site) on the fight against discrimination, Human Soul highlights some of the untold and undocumented experiences of discrimination against some members of the LGBT community.

This project took its cue from the final year of implementation of Component 4 of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) HIV and AIDS Country Programme and was made possible by the NGOs and support groups in the country (like the Health Action Information Network and the TLF SHARE Collective) that have always wanted to employ strategic information drives and to participate in local government processes that respond to HIV/AIDS cases among the MSM and TG people.

Renaud Meyer, Philippine country director of the UNDP, shared that discrimination, which often takes form in homophobia, is “considered [as] one of the main obstacles in implementing HIV prevention strategies.”

“In the Philippines, based on most recent DOH data, seven cases of HIV are reported each day, and out of the seven, five are through same-sex transmission. Yet, men who have sex with men and transgender person continue to face discrimination from health care workers, schools, and other service providers; employers and the police,” Meyer furthered. “Discrimination leads MSM and transgender persons from disclosing their sexual orientation, fulfilling their gender identity, and/or reporting for HIV services.”

In his speech, during the launching of the exhibit at the University of Southeastern Philippines, Alberto Sipaco, regional director of the Commission on Human Rights XI, said, “Discrimination is doubtless a human-rights concern. This is a social issue that in the past two centuries has acquired global attention. There used to be bias against colored people in the past, but today the prejudice has taken a more relative definition that carries with it a sexual context, and socially, a broader perspective on how individuals must appreciate their social life…”

“But don’t despair. Italian painter Leonardo Da Vinci was homosexual, American actor Marlon Brando was bisexual, French philosopher-writer Marquis de Sade (after whom the word ‘sadist’ was derived) was also bisexual, and British model Samantha Fox was a certified LGBT member. The world over, in fact, there is a huge reason to celebrate gay force as an indispensable movement in creating a better global community,” he shared.

Human Soul, which showcases the works of journalist Sébastien Farcis and photographer Romain Rivierre, can be an effective tool to lobby for support for the Anti-discrimination bill currently filed in Congress, and for the local proposed ordinances being pushed in cities like Cebu and Davao.

The on-site exhibit features an interactive photo and audio gallery of several people in the LGBT community who share their stories and experiences. Viewing the exhibit becomes even more personal when you put on a headset to listen to the iPod Shuffles embedded in panels. The online exhibit features the same gallery, but with other downloadable campaign materials.

The tolerance of LGBT lifestyles in the Philippines is high, but discrimination is rampant. While some are lucky to have their backs supported (e.g. Davao City is in the process of having an Anti-discrimination law; the recent committee hearing of the local government officials indicated that it’s on its way to be passed next year), many continue to hide under the shadows. Their voices and stories are yet to be heard.

Catch the Davao City leg of the Human Soul exhibit on the following dates and places: October 19-25 at the Sangguniang Panglungsod; October 26-30 at the Abreeza Mall; November 7-11 at the Ateneo de Davao University; November 14-18 at the Brokenshire College of Davao. Or visit http://humansoulph.blogspot.com/