The Empowered Movements for Rights and Gender Equality (EMERGE) Project advances the human rights of individuals facing discrimination, violence, or abuse based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics. Through coalition-building with grassroots LGBTI organizations, the project promotes policy change and the adoption of anti-discrimination ordinances. The School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) contributes by educating the Deaf community on human rights, SOGIE concepts, and related laws, while also raising awareness among hearing partners about Deaf culture and language. Activities include Deaf Awareness Orientation for EMERGE partners, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression (SOGIE) 101 with Deaf Students, Documentation of SOGIE-related Filipino Sign Language (FSL) signs, and Stakeholders’ Feedback Session. The project started in June 2022 and culminated in December 2024.
