Around the University TownCampus NewsStudent org launches children’s books

Student org launches children’s books

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Illuminates of the Spectra, an LGBTQ+ student organization at Silliman University, launched three children’s books with Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Expression themes last Nov. 29 at the Dumaguete City Public Library.

The books, launched through a book reading at the Library attended by Grade 1 pupils from the Dumaguete City Central Elementary School, are part of ISPEC’s Reading Rainbow project.

The Reading Rainbow project aims to create, publish, and distribute children’s books that feature a queer narrative.

“Children’s books are one of the ways children make sense of the world. It sparks their curiosity about the characters and teaches them important lessons in the process. Without books that normalize queerness, it would be difficult to normalize values of acceptance with children,” said Shamah Bulangis, ISPEC president and Reading Rainbow project director.

ISPEC first selected Dumaguete-based queer writers and illustrators for a three-day workshop last October to create children’s books with SOGIE themes.

“The writers and illustrators were actually all queer and all under 25 (years old). We intentionally made sure that as much as possible, our writers and illustrators are queer for authenticity of the stories,” said Bulangis.

The workshop produced three stories on queerness, acceptance, and love, set in Dumaguete with children as protagonists: Sami has a Secret by Renz Torres, illustrated by Monique Cabañog; Libulan and the Three Little Stars by Lendz Barinque, illustrated by Alex Villarino; and My Kuya, My Pride and Joy by Ysai Guazon, illustrated by Jhara Kae Amistoso.

“Children, no matter how they identify (in terms of gender identity expression), need to see that it’s okay to want things and do things unexpected of them and be accepted for who they are,” said Torres, author of Sami Has a Secret.

While there are a number of SOGIE-themed children’s books in the country, Bulangis said the stories stand out because of their approach on queer narratives: Sami has a Secret is a localized story involving a trip around Dumaguete; Libulan and the Three Little Stars incorporates Philippine mythology; and My Kuya, My Pride and Joy is centered on a boy with a trans older brother.

“(The theme) says a lot about our community and the priorities our generation has, as well as what the artists thought would connect with the children most. Everyone has gender so it’s something they can identify with,” said Bulangis.

Bulangis said they plan to make the books available online and sell the books through Amazon Web Services to raise money for an LGBT Center in Dumaguete.

“Our main plan is to be able to save up for a Dumaguete LGBT Center that provides transitional housing, employment referral, and safe transitioning services along with a book store/library that is saturated with queer authors from Dumaguete, and outside,” she added.

ISPEC implements the project in partnership with the SU Office of Strategic Partnerships and the Edilberto and Edith Tiempo Creative Writing Center.

ISPEC had pitched the idea of Reading Rainbow to the ASEAN SOGIE Caucus, which has supported the project with the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Rights through its ASEAN Queer Leadership Week program.

“It is important to have more and to support organizations like Illuminates of the Spectra. The young generation will recreate a world full of diversity, love, fun, and respect,” said Yen Nguyen, ASEAN SOGIE Caucus program manager, in a message to ISPEC.

ISPEC donated copies of the books to the Dumaguete City Public Library and SU Library, as well as to supporting institutions.

Dumaguete City Librarian Gima Cornelia said youth groups such as ISPEC have been innovative in encouraging children to develop a habit for reading.

Bulangis said ISPEC and its partners plan to hold another writing workshop and more book readings to reach out to more people and add more queer stories to their project. (Jameela Mendoza/Christian Renz Torres)

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