(Photo source: Golden Bekis)
What started as a hobby to escape boredom ended up helping aging gay men lead happy and sustainable retirement lives. This is the story of the Golden Bekis.
Kyle, one of the founders of the Golden Bekis, was busy attending to customers who flocked their spot at the Women’s Month Bazaar organized by the Philippine Information Agency in collaboration with the Quezon City Small Business and Cooperatives Development Promotions Office.
The Golden Bekis is a humanitarian group that started out from a YouTube channel, creating videos to kill time during the pandemic where people are not allowed to roam outside their houses.
According to Kyle, the organization was established in 2021 to help gay men aged 50 to 60 earn a decent living.
“Initially it started as a Youtube channel, [creating] video vlogs, dun namin sya inumpisahan. Parang gusto ko lang magkaroon ng channel yung mga elderly gays. Nasa gitna pa yun ng pandemic, we thought of other ways para maging sustainable,” he said.
(It initially started as a Youtube channel, [creating] video vlogs, we started from there. I just wanted to have a channel focused on elderly gays. It was in the midst of the pandemic, we thought of other ways to become sustainable.)
(Screenshot: Golden Bekis)
During that time, many employees were laid off, freelancers lost their side jobs, and elderly gay men weren’t exempt. But what makes their story special? Well, more often than not, elderly gay men in the Philippines live alone, without a partner or family to rely on.
From then on, Golden Bekis have ventured into a livelihood project to sustain their needs. Creating arts and crafts like tote bags, pouches, and bracelets and selling them to different bazaars around Metro Manila.
“So nagisip kami ng livelihood project. Nag-raise ako ng kaunting funds to start. Doon kami nagsimula sa mga bracelets, semi-precious stones,” Kyle shared.
(So we thought of a livelihood project. I raised some funds to start. We started out making bracelets, semi-precious stones.)
“From small capital, continuously pinopost namin sya sa social media hanggang sa nakikilala. Hanggang sa na-invite na kami ng iba’t ibang grupo sa mga bazaars, sa mga corporate events,” he added.
(From small capital, we posted our products in social media continuously until it was recognized. Eventually we are getting invitations from different groups [to sell] in bazaars, in corporate events.)
The group then partnered with the Quezon City Small Business and Cooperatives Development Promotions Office to get the necessary assistance, marketing, and linkage opportunities for their steadily growing business venture.
Golden Bekis now have thirty (30) members, mostly elderly ranging from 50 to 60 years old, nine are in their mid-30s to 40s Their oldest member is 83 years old.
(Photo source: Golden Bekis)
Kyle started the group to tell the struggles of elderly gay men in the Philippines, which he now considers family. He wants to raise the awareness of the public about the conditions of aging gay men and hopes to have a shelter specifically for them.
“Gusto ko kasi magkaroon ng more awareness ang society about aging LGBTQ, currently we don't have a shelter talaga na puwedeng puntahan, in need na pwede nilang puntahan, puwedeng masilungan.”
(I want to raise the awareness of society about aging LGBTQ, currently we don’t have a shelter specifically for them that they can run to when in need.)
Profits from their livelihood go to the members’ daily needs like food, hygiene products, and home essentials. Some also serve as emergency funds for their members.
One of the members of Golden Bekis is an elderly gay street dweller, who considers the streets of Quezon City his home. This particular member scours the streets of Kamuning or the Quezon Memorial Circle to find food or recyclables that can be sold.
When asked how this person became a member, Kyle shared it through a network of friends.
(Photo source: Golden Bekis)
Another member is a street vendor in Baclaran, living off this for his food daily. One time, this member had his pushcart confiscated by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). Fortunately, the group was able to help with their emergency fund, claiming back the pushcart.
These kinds of members are the reason why Golden Bekis continue to exist.
With the aim of helping aging gay men, Golden Bekis also hopes to empower them with the capability to help themselves and other struggling gay men they meet.
“Aging is inevitable. Let us open our perception for us to reach an equal society beyond gender and social status,” Kyle said as his parting words during the interview.
For more updates to Golden Bekis or if you wish to donate, you may reach them on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goldenbekis;
Tiktok: @goldenbekis
Email address: goldenbekis@gmail.com
To know more about the Quezon City Small Business and Cooperatives Development Promotions Office (QC SBCDPO), please visit the 6th floor of the Main High Rise Building in Quezon City Hall. It is open from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They are always willing to lend a helping hand to Quezon City residents in need of starting a business.
For more information about SBCDPO’s programs and projects, please watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zmgmg4hv6A4&t=3s. (JVD/PIA-NCR)
