Girls just wanna have fun

Girls, it’s time to be a little naughty. Lez de Manille invites all queer ladies of Manila to a sexy night out for lesbian, bisexual and queer women called Gurlesque. Women from several lesbian clans and groups will converge for a night of fun on Sept. 28 from 10 p.m. onwards at Dado’s by Manila Vice. Scorching ska and jazz music from the Dandimites will set everyone’s mood, while pumping dance music will be provided by DJs Cal Soesanto and DB Tembrevilla of Androgyny Productions. Enticing dancers from participating groups Kiss and Unified Filipino Lesbians Online (UFLO) will excite the ladies, and contestants from Mr. and Ms. Vixens will display their winning charm to the guests. Lez de Manille, short for Lesbiennes de Manille, is a series of events for lesbian, bisexual and queer women of Manila. Its initial offering, Gurlesque, is presented by Dado’s by Manila Vice and VivaManila. Carlos Celdran, well-known tour guide and tourism activist of VivaManila, wishes to revive the Malate area by developing communities, which have a long-lasting commitment to its progress and development. “We acknowledge the contributions and presence of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in the creative life of this historic district. We support Gurlesque as a recognition of these efforts.” According to Vic Yutuc of Dado’s and president of the Malate Business Association (MBA), “The Malate bar owners aim to revive the culture and artistic character of Malate.” With several projects to promote LGBT diversity in the area, the MBA aims to “establish the Orosa District as the LGBT district of Manila.” Furthermore, Gurlesque is the beginning of the MBA’s efforts to invite the continuous presence of the lesbian community in Malate. Japs Javier of UFLO, one of the participating lesbian groups, was ecstatic when she heard about Lez de Manille. “Lesbians are normally with our own groups,” according to her, “but I believe it’s time for the lesbian community to connect with other LGBTs and be on common ground. Partnering with the Malate Business Association and VivaManila is the start of making Manila aware that the LGBT community is alive and kicking!” Javier also hopes projects like Lez de Manille achieve turning Orosa similar to the Castro District in San Francisco. “Every time you say Orosa, it’s already automatic:It’s where you can find, meet and party with your own kind. Where LGBT locals and tourists know where to go.” For more information about Lez de Manille, visit http://facebook.com/LezDeManille