On National Children’s Book Day, young writers and artists launched five storybooks teaching Filipino children about the equality and diversity of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions (SOGIE).
“This is our group’s small contribution to the library of stories that must be told,” said Jason del Rosario, spokesperson for Mulat Sulat, the group that produced the children’s books under a project in 2018.
The books can be used by teachers, parents, and equality advocates to help children embrace diversity at their most impressionable age.
“It’s not just about fighting for equality. It’s about creating a world where being different is no strange thing,” said Del Rosario.
Renowned children’s book author Bebang Siy praised the innovative method involved in producing the books.
“Having both writers and illustrators in the same workshop gave the project a new kind of energy and synergy consistent with Mulat Sulat’s goals,” remarked Siy.
Equality advocate and former National Youth Commission official Perci Cendaña acknowledged that the values of diversity and equality remain challenged in this day and age. “However,” he said, “it is refreshing and reassuring that today’s generation is more than willing to continue the struggle in even more creative ways.”
Mulat Sulat is a project by the sixth batch of graduates from the Academy of Political Management by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung – Philippines, with the full support of the Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking, Inc.
The books are downloadable for free at tinyurl.com/mulatsulat.
