Home for the Golden Gays

The Home for the Golden Gays (HGG), or simply The Golden Gays, is a Philippine non-profit organization that provides support and care facilities for elderly LGBTQ people. It was originally established in 1975 by Justo Justo, a Filipino columnist and LGBTQ activist. Currently, there are around 40 active members of the organization, mostly aged 60 and above. They are colloquially known as "the lolas" (lola is Filipino for "grandmother").[1][2][3][4]

Home for the Golden Gays
Formation1975 (1975)
FounderJusto Justo
TypeNon-profit organization
Location
  • Pasay City
LeaderRamon Busa

Justo's house originally served as the main facility of the Home for the Golden Gays. However, the organization's members were evicted by the family of Justo a day after his death in 2012. Members with no families are currently temporarily housed in a small lodge paid for by one of their members in Pasay City, while the rest have returned to surviving relatives. They are still trying to raise funds for a permanent new facility. They hold drag shows and community outreach programs at least once a month which generate funding from corporate and private donors to cover groceries and healthcare expenses for the members. Some members also work odd jobs, like as vendors or street cleaners, to provide for the group.[2][5][6][7][8][9]

A notable member of the organization was Walterina Markova (May 20, 1924 – June 24, 2005), a surviving "comfort gay" sex slave for Imperial Japanese Army soldiers during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II. His life was adapted into the movie Markova: Comfort Gay in 2000.[10][11]

See also

References
  1. Bhandari, Shirin (10 February 2018). "The Golden Gays of Manila". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  2. Acosta, Renzo (27 June 2016). "Pride March 2016: 'Golden Gays' looking for a home". Rappler. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  3. Heifetz, Justin (20 February 2019). "The Elderly Gay Filipinos Who Perform in Drag to Survive". Vice. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  4. Billing, Lynzy. "The Golden Gays As long as you hear the applause, no-one gets old". WePresent. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  5. Balce, Shara Mae (11 January 2019). "Show for Shelter: 'Lolas' of Golden Gays Sing, Dance to Survive". Inside Manila. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  6. Bhandari, Shirin (18 October 2019). "Manila's Golden Gays Prove You're Never Too Old To Be a Queen". Culture Trip. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  7. Melvin, Joshua (22 July 2018). "Manila's 'Golden Gays' sing for their supper". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  8. Giongco, Audrey; Lucenio, Marielle (10 April 2017). "The life of the Golden Gays". The LaSallian. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  9. Olah, Natalie (25 October 2014). "Photographer captures the lost legacy of Justo Justo's Filipino Home of the Golden Gays". Independent. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  10. "MARKOVA: COMFORT GAY". October 19, 2002. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  11. Abunda, Boy (20 December 2000). "The story of Walterina's first love". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
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