NEWLY-CROWNED Queen Mother Gelo Echon vowed to make the Ateneo Dollhouse relevant once again in the Ateneo community.

Formed in 1997, the Dollhouse is a group that pushes for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) awareness and acceptance in the Ateneo.

According to Echon, the past few years saw Dollhouse fade as it transferred from its old location at the bench beside Faber Hall to the Doghouse.

He also said in his speech that some Ateneans were not even aware of the existence of the organization.

“Naranasan niyo na bang matanong kung ano ang ginagawa ng Dollhouse? O mas malala: ‘Ano ang Dollhouse?’ (Have you been asked what Dollhouse does? Or worse: ‘What is Dollhouse?’)” he said.

However, Echon said that with his stepping in as the new Queen Mother, the 14-year-old organization would once again be made known to the students and the whole community.

“I plan to create noise and bring back the attention to us. Expect us to be seen and heard every time, everywhere. So get ready as we paint the school pink!” he said.

When asked why the Dollhouse needs to be visible in the Ateneo, Echon said, “We are the LGBT representative of the Ateneo and has always been part of the campus for 14 years.”

“We have always been part of the Ateneo culture ever since. We have always been known to be the most fun, happy and gay group in the campus!” he added.

Echon was crowned as the Dollhouse’s 14th Queen Mother during its anniversary and yearly elections held at the Zen Garden last July 19.

He won against JR Rodriguez with a voting turnout of 27-9 among Dollhouse members.

Other officials elected were Nikki Riel as the Vice Ganda (vice president), Rica Salomon as the Sex Gen (secretary-general), Martin Tuanquin as the F-Buddy (finance officer), Theo Catalo as the Lady Gaguard (sergeant-and-arms) and Nics Mandilag as the King Father.

All winners were from Partido PUTA (Pilipinang Uhaw at Tigang sa Atensyon), except for Mandilag, who was from Party Pilipinas (Mga Pilipinang Litaw ang Pinili na Sekswalidad) and Catalo who ran as an independent candidate.