Gay Yakuza USA: July 2013

With songs both sultry and sublime, two gay, Asian groups are joining forces to raise funds for a charity in the Philippines devoted to HIV awareness and testing.

At an event entitled “Love Forward: FINC/AFC Share the Love for Loveyourself Anglo,” Filipinos and Friends in Chicago (FINC) and Asians and Friends Chicago (AFC) are hosting a cabaret evening of local performers on Thursday, July 25, 7 p.m. (7:30 p.m. showtime) at @mosphere Bar, 5355 N. Clark in Chicago. Donation: $20.

Included in the roster of performers are cabaret singer “Madame X” and jazz dancer and musical-theater actor Chip Payos. Other acts include Angel Abcede, Divina Aleonar, Randy Ballesteros, Christine Bunuan, Jovie Calma and Emjoy Gavino.

The two groups are pooling resources for the first time, working together to help an organization in the Philippines called Loveyourself Anglo (www.loveyourself.ph), a non-profit based in Manila focused on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered HIV awareness, testing and prevention. The group is building a second health center in the heart of Manila to cater to the needs of the LGBT community. The Philippines has recorded a sudden rise in HIV cases and is ill-equipped to address the alarming rate of infection.

Both local Asian organizations were highly visible at this year’s Gay Pride Parade, with FINC winning the Best Overall Float that featured a lavish, pink “Sarimanok”--a legendary bird of the Maranao people who originate from Mindanao, a major island in the Philippines--with 40 costumed dancers, and Asians and Friends Chicago winning Best Organizational float, featuring a fashion designer in a gown he made out of popcorn. The two groups have been hosting separate events until now.

“We’ve known of each other and attended each other’s functions, but have just begun to understand the power of joining forces,” says Angel Abcede, president of Asians and Friends. “This was a great opportunity and a great reason to get members from both organizations to turn out.”

“Gay organizations here in the U.S. with ties to their home countries need to help our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters,” says Chip Payos, a FINC member and one of the co-organizers of the event. “HIV is an international concern.”

Asians and Friends Chicago is celebrating its 28^th year serving the city with social and community events for the gay, Asian population and those who are interested in Asian cultures. It was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 2010.

FINC is celebrating nine years of existence, hosting social functions targeting gay, lesbian and transgendered Filipinos in Chicago. The group has a large presence in the annual Gay Pride Parade, often working months in advance to build its float and choreograph 30-60 dancers.