R A G E
R A G E Copyright Š 2015 by Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila College of Mass Communication All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. Printed in the Republic of the Philippines
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BEING HOPEFUL WHILE FACING THE FACTS PAGE 05
HOMOSEXUALITY IN THE PHILIPPINES PAGE 07
CHR DISCLOSES STATS ON HR VIOLATIONS AMONG LGBTS PAGE 09
JUSTICE DENIED PAGE 13
YOUTH SHOULD NOT BE WASTED ON THE YOUNG PAGE 17
SHIFT PAGE 21
MODERN DAY CINDERELLA PAGE 25
THE COLLECTIVE BATTLE OF LGBTS PAGE 28
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EWOR R D FO
KHARLA LOUISE S. BAUTISTA
JOHN RAPID D. CANONIZADO
LGBTs in the Philippines have unique culture but very limited rights. They are generally accepted within the society but there is still a widespread discrimination.
LGBT rights are not special rights or other rights. These are rights of marginalized sector of one political nation. These are rights of the people that should be given for the primary purpose of gender equality.
According to the 2002 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Survey, 11% of sexually active Filipinos between the ages of 15 and 24 have had sex with someone of the same sex. LGBT citizens may face different social attitudes and legal challenges than heterosexual citizens with more traditional gender roles. Tolerance for LGBT people has increased over the years due to greater education about sexual orientation and gender identity issues and the growing visibility and political activism of the LGBT community. All these and others, you will see in this first issue of the magazine. ENJOY!
RAGE MAGAZINE will give you a bright idea of how physically and psychologically abused LGBTs made up with the violence they’ve been through. It will showcase the gender-based hate crimes in the Philippines setting are alarming and ballooning continuously in terms of manifested figures. The fact that the LGBT people are just tolerated, but not fully accepted, is the fact that we should give ourselves an avenue to know them better and to believe in to the humanitarian principle of equality regardless of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE). So, have a gay glimpse!
NAILA B. MONDALA Members of the LGBT community in the Philippines are still experiencing physical abuse and discrimination. However, there is still no law passed for their protection against such cases. The Anti-discrimination bill, passed 12 years ago, is still stuck in the Philippine congress. It is also not included in the priority bills listed last year because some lawmakers believe that the number of physical abuse and discrimination cases against LGBTs is not enough to prioritize the bill. Human rights are human rights. No matter how small the number of cases is, violation of human rights should be stopped. This issue of RAGE magazine will let you see the status of homosexuals in the country and hopefully, will open your mind and heart to the world of LGBTs.
JULES ANDREW P. GARCIA Various articles are surfacing out from different social media portals stating that Philippines is a gay-friendly country. Okay. Let’s dissect the word “Gay-friendly”. A “gay” is a person who is sexually attracted to a person of opposite sex; he/she thinks that the genital assigned to him/her is faulty and inappropriate. “Friendly” is an adjective which, according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, means “showing off support or approval to something”. So, when combined, it becomes an adjective which basically means “in support of homosexual”. If the aforementioned word infers that the Philippines is in support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sector, then why is gender-based physical abuse still rampant in this soil? What do the 130 cases of human rights violations committed against LGBTs, as per the record of Commission on Human Rights from 2009 to 2015, mean, then? In the next pages of RAGE, you will get to read the true-to-life narratives of some of the Filipino LGBTs who were once a victim of gender-based physical abuse. As you go on, find out if Philippines is truly a gay-friendly nation.
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BEING HOPEFUL WHILE FACING THE FACTS MR. JOSE MARIE ALMORADIE CARPENA
DISCLAIMER THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE THE AUTHOR’S AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF DLSU, ITS ADMINISTRATORS, ITS FACULTY, ITS STUDENTS, PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND PAP LGBT SIG.
Mr. Carpena is a teaching assistant at the Psychology Department of De La Salle University- Manila (DLSU-M). He is also a member of the Psychological Association of the Philippines Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Special Interest Group (PAP LGBT SIG). Mr. Carpena welcomes comments and feedback at jose_mari_a_ carpena@dlsu.edu.ph.
In recent years, the Philippines has seen wonderful developments for the LGBT community. For example, the Third Quarter 2013 Social Weather Report revealed that 85% of the 1,200 people surveyed agreed to the statement “Just like me, gays and lesbians also have the right to be protected against any form of discrimination”. And although no national law has been passed yet, some cities (see Manalastas, n.d.). On top of that, both the Psychological Association of the Philippines and the Pambansang Samahan sa Sikolohiyang Pilipino have released statements calling for the protection of individuals from discrimination based on actual or perceived sexuality, gender identity, and gender expression. Indeed, the Philippines has seen a growth in equality in terms of anti-discrimination views and legislation. But let’s be frank: the Philippines does have a reputation of not being a paradise for LGBT people. Even a cursory glance at the comments on online articles about personalities such as Aiza Seguerra, Vice-Ganda, and Charice Pempengco will reveal manifestations of hate and discrimination. And it doesn’t stop there, degrading comments are even posted on the articles tackling the killing of Jeniffer Laude, some saying that she even deserved to die. But how does this translate into the real world? The current body of literature on this subject has been consistent with how LGBT individuals are often at a disadvantage in many spheres of life: unequal opportunities in terms of employment, unequal treatment in terms of legislation, and many more. Perhaps more shocking are those personal narratives of violence towards LGBT Filipinos; it is not unusual to hear about verbal, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, some ranging from bullying, to assault, and even murder. In my research about LGBT individuals’ interpretations of their experiences with homophobia, the stories shared by some LGBT individuals unearth horrific events. One gay man recounted how his father, upon suspecting him of being gay as a child, wrapped him up in a blanket, hung him from the ceiling, and beat him with the metal part of the belt. Another incident was recounted by a lesbian woman, who remembered how a classmate in high school flashed his genitals at her – and that, growing up, her uncle brought her to a hotel to “teach her how to become a woman”. Naturally, the effect these experiences have on them can be just as unpleasant, ranging from self-harm and suicide ideation, varying clinical
levels of depression and anxiety, substance abuse, and other health risk behaviors (Almeida, Johnson, Corliss, Molnar, & Azrael, 2009; Ryan, Huebner, Diaz, & Sanchez, 2009; Ryan, Russel, Huebner, Diaz, & Sanchez, 2010). These are only a few of the effects which the LGBT individual may suffer when faced with such discrimination and unequal treatment. This is not to say that all is lost. As mentioned, the Philippine society is gradually becoming more open to the idea that LGBT people are, in fact, people – people who deserve justice and an equal playing field in all circles of life. We now have senators, lawmakers, parties, and more and more members of the LGBT community, as well as heterosexual allies, who are fighting for the cause. More and more people are being exposed to and educated about the issues and challenges – the hopes and dreams – of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals and more and more popular media features non-stereotyped faces of LGBT individuals (like gay characters such as Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros, and the early stages of the gay character in I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nAPO Sila. I, for one, am hopeful for a better Philippines. It may not be today, or even tomorrow, but there is definitely something to look forward to. The storm may have been strong, but after the rain comes clear skies and beautiful sunshine – and over in the distance, a bright new rainbow. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Thank you to my beautiful girlfriend Jian for being an inspiration every day, and to Jan for giving his input to improve this article. REFERENCES:
. Almeida, J., Johnson, R. M., Corliss, H. L., Molnar, B. E., & Azrael, D. (2009). Emotional distress among LGBT youth: The influence of perceived discrimination based on sexual orientation. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 38, 1001-1014. doi: 10.1007/ s10964-009-9397-9 Manalastas, E. J. (n.d.). Antidiscrimination ordinances. Retrieved from: http://pages.upd.edu.ph/ejmanalastas/ policies-ordinances. Ryan, C., Huebner, D., Diaz, M. R., & Sanchez, J. (2009). Family rejection as a predictor of negative health outcomes in White and Latino lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults. Pediatrics, 123(1), 346 - 352. doi:10.1542/peds.2007-3524 Ryan, C., Russel, S., Huebner, D., Diaz, R., & Sanchez, J. (2010).Family acceptance in adolescence and the health of LGBT young adults. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 23(4),
. . .
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HOMOSEXUALITY IN THE PHILIPPINES A
G L I M P S E
In the 2014 Pew Research Center global survey, Philippines was listed as one of the most gayfriendly countries in the world. In the survey released in June, 73% of the 804 of the Filipino respondents said that “homosexuality should be accepted by society” while only 26% said otherwise and the rest refused to answer. The result of this survey shows that many Filipino accept and agree with the idea, homosexuality should be accepted. However, in an interview with Ang Ladlad Rep. Bemz Benedito, she told Rage that LGBTs in the country are not yet accepted; they are just tolerated. This statement was supported by the results of a survey also conducted by Pew research center. In another survey conducted by the same agency, participants were asked whether they think homosexuality is morally acceptable or not. Seventy-five percent of the survey participants believe that homosexuality is immoral; a quarter found it morally acceptable while the remaining 10 said that
homosexuality has nothing to do with morals. With only 25 % of the Filipino respondents who said that homosexuality is morally acceptable, Philippines has recorded the largest number of people who believe that being a
“DURING THE SPANISH ERA, HOMOSEXUAL MALES AND CROSS DRESSERS WERE RESPECTED LEADERS AND FIGURES OF AUTHORITY.” homosexual is not immoral. The status of homosexuals in the Philippines, just like any other things, has also been having its ups and downs. If we want to go trace when the Filipinos started
accepting homosexuality in the country, we should go way back to the pre-colonial or to early colonial era. According to Mr. Neil Garcia, teaches literature and creative writing at the University of the Philippines, there are already homosexual males and even cross dressers during those times. During the Spanish era, homosexual males and cross dressers were respected leaders and figures of authority. At that time, homosexuals and cross dressers were treated the same way women were being treated. They were comparable to women. The only thing they couldn’t do that women can was to bear children. Since before the Spanish came, women were priestesses and matriarchs are of high rank in the society, homosexual males and cross dressers were also given the same privileges and treatment. Indeed, the status of the homosexuals in the country has drastically changed; from being treated equally with women to almost begging to be treated like one; from being treated like masters to being part of the marginalized sector of the society.
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STATISTICS ON LESBIANS, GAYS, BISEXUALS, AND TRANSGENDERS AS VICTIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS BY NUMBER OF VICTIMS PER REGION FROM JANUARY 01, 2009 – FEBRUARY 23, 2015
REGION II 3.85 %
9. 23% REGION I
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11 1
NCR 1.54% 1 1
2.31% REGION III 1 2
REGION V 0.77% 1 REGION VIII 5.39% 5 2
5.39% REGION IV 5 2
REGION VII 3.08% 4 REGION X 36.15% 8 5 20 14
6.92% REGION VI 9
CARAGA 3.85%
7.69% REGION IX LEGEND LESBIAN GAY BISEXUAL TRANSGENDER The above statistics was collated by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) from January 01, 2009 to February 28, 2015. Generally, some of the types of cases filed by these victims are as follows: Discrimination, Acts of Lasciviousness, Rape, Child abuse, Physical injuries, Attempted Homicide, Frustrated Homicide, Homicide, Attempted Murder, Frustrated murder, Murder and Massacre
1 4
1 6 3
REGION XI 6.92% 6 1 2
REGION XII 6.92% 2 7
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ON PROTECTING LGBT RIGHTS
C H R D I S C L O S E S S TA T S O N H U M A N R I G H T S V I O L AT I O N S AMONG LGBTS
TOP Mrs. Karen DumpitGomez, Director III of Government Linkages Office, CHR, explains the CHR’s process of collecting data on the cases of human rights violations against Filipino LGBTs. BOTTOM CHR building
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) released a statistics on the cases of human rights violations among Filipino lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders and pointed out that gays are the most prone to various forms of discrimination and abuse due to their gender identity and sexual orientation. In the data dated February 23, 2015, CHR enumerated the number of cases of human rights violations per region and identified each type of cases filed. As per the statistics, there are a total of 130 cases recorded across the country from January 01, 2009 up to the date it was released. Region 10 Northern Mindanao had the most number of cases with a total of 47; of which five were lesbians, eight were gays, 20 were bisexuals and 14 were transgender individuals. Meanwhile, discrimination, physical injuries, rape, homicide, murder and massacre are some of the types of complaints filed by these LGBT victims to the commission. In an interview with Mrs. Karen Gomez- Dumpit, Director of the Government Linkages Offices, she discussed how CHR implements its database. According to her, there are three ways for the commission to gather data: (1) motu proprio or through their own efforts (2) walk-in or direct filing of a complaint, and (3) referral from other agencies such as the police. Furthermore, she explained that CHR has designated branch for every region in the country; thus, every data collected from each region will automatically proceed to its central branch in which all the data will be documented as a whole. Dumpit also shared that CHR first realized the need to document the cases of human rights violations among the vulnerable groups of the society such as the LGBT sector in around 2006. “We have gone with the time. We have actually taken the cue
from LGBT groups as well , that they wanted to get their cases on board,” she said. ON THE SUFFICIENCY OF CHR’S RESOURCES Dumpit also clarified even though the commission does not allocate a specific amount of budget for the operation of its database, still they are even more capable to continue running it. She said the resources of CHR are sufficient to continue implement the recording and collection of cases of human rights violations against Filipino LGBTs in the country. ABSENCE OF LGBT DESK She said despite of the absence of LGBT desk, the national police has designed concrete advocacies to ensure LGBTs’ welfare and lives. She furthered that the police can actually come up with such desk but it first has to ponder the trends on this issue, if the cases of LGBT abuse are increasing, then that is the time they can come up with such. Meanwhile, Chief of Police Information Office of Manila Police District ( MPD-PIO), P/Sup’t Marissa Bruno, she confirmed there is no particular desk yet especially aimed at catering to LGBTs concerns. She said that the national police has not designed an LGBT desk yet to address the concerns of this sector. She cited the absence of a law that calls for such and a protocol from the national police as two of the main reasons . ON THE PASSAGE OF ANTI-LGBT DISCRIMINATION BILL Dumpit said the CHR is in support of the passage of Anti-LGBT Discrimination but emphasized that they want a comprehensive Antidiscrimination Bill that would cover other vulnerable groups as well.
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L A JO
N SAPN
O
21 YEARS OLD
TONDO, MANILA
CREW AT FAST FOOD CHAIN
ATTENDED CLASS AT UNIVERISTY OF MANILA
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JUSTICE DENIED
ALL-NIGHT PARTYING Joan Sapno dances to the beat of loud music together with her girlfriend and other friends; a group of unidentified men looks at them from afar.
Legal protection within the bound of law is one of the absolute constitutional rights of people regardless of sex, religion, political affiliation, social status and among others. It should be enjoyed by everyone whether the person is deprived of economic stability or lack of influence or power. Here in the Philippines, it is not easy to fight for justice against gender-based violence with the absence of Anti-Discrimination Law that will protect the rights of LGBT people and will penalize perpetrators of human rights. At least, the recent plight of the Sol Aragones, congresswoman of Laguna’s 3rd District to establish LGBT desk in all police stations of Philippine National Police that will take care of the welfare and rights of the physically victimized LGBT Filipinos should be passed immediately in the Congress. Why? Simply because
there are alarming cases of physical gender-based violence among LGBT that don’t even undergo police investigation and procedural due process or worse don’t even get a chance to be heard. Hence, depriving the victims the justice they highly deserve. Joan Sapno, a 21-yearold lesbian from Tondo, Manila, is a graduate of Hotel and Restaurant Management course from University of Manila, seems to be so positive in life and does great in current job as a service crew in one of the most popular fast food chains in the country. But, behind this there are these underlying experience that brought her a momentous drastic story. CLOSET
With the religious belief that being lesbian is a mere sinful act and against the principle of the Catholic Bible, Joan could barely
find her easy way to come out from her dark and asphyxiating closet. Plus the fact that her parents would not accept her definitely is the rational reason why there was fear to come out ever since she was a high school student. Also, t was then a difficult to showcase affection to her same sex crush simply because no one really knew her true sexual orientation that time. Having a long hair is one of the factors why it was easy for her to be discreet about her preference. For her, it was hard to stand for her true self. Thinking that her coming out will affect her family’s reputation and there will be so much to endure from bulk of chismosa from their hometown. THE ASSERTION Nagpagupit ako non kasi yung girlfriend ko nasa ibang bansa. Parang trip lang
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nung una tapos ang hirap pala kasi paglabas mo ng bahay ang daming nakatingin sayo. Parang lahat nakatingin sa ulo mo eh. Ayun hanggang sa nasanay na din. Lagi akong tinatanong, “tomboy ka ba?” [I decided to cut my hair short for my girlfriend is out of the country. At the beginning, I thought it was just a trip but it was really difficult for there were eyes curiously seeing me whenever I went out home. It seemed that they were always looking at my head. Until, I got used to it. They would always asked me then, “are you a lesbian?”.] Joan, having been into the struggles of making proud of her sexuality, stood up for who she really is. Some of the
manifestations are entering into same sex relationship, cutting her hair short and the like. These are the ultimate reasons why she realized that she’s actually a lesbian long before she knew it. She also said that she couldn’t see herself having sexual intercourse with a man but only with the same sex or another woman because she finds herself more comfortable with the former than a latter.So, this is the beginning of her being into the same sex relationship right until now. When asked about engaging into opposite-sex-family, she said that she wanted to have a child but doesn’t want to have a husband. She could bear one but
never would she can take being with her husband. FAMILY’S PRIMARY REACTIONS At first, her mother would always say to her that being a lesbian is a sin and that she would never be respected because of her “condemnable” sexual orientation. Turning to be proud lesbian, her mother treated her as invisible as air. As if she didn’t actually exist within their home. She always was reiterating that Joan should never continue her lesbianism. So, Joan decided to pack her things up and live somewhere in Tagaytay. Because of this incident, eventually her mother fully accepted her real self. Meanwhile, her father
UNWANTED Joan rushes to the restroom after she was informed about the alleged threat to her girlfriend’s life; unknowingly, a group of men follows her.
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There were also times when her co-employee was tripping her by secretly putting his leg into her way while she’s holding a customer’s order intended to have an accident that would blame her in the end.
OFF GUARD A group of ten boys unmercifully beats up on Joan, after the former allegedly found the latter braggart considering that she is a lesbian.
has this feeling of regrets to Joan because of her sexuality. “Ano ba yan? Ba’t ang anak mo nagkaganyan?” [What’s the problem? Why did it happen to her?] is line she would always hear from her father’s kumpare. TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE AND ITS ILL-EFFECTS Joan shared that she didn’t experience any physical or verbal abuse in from elementary up until to college . She thought that her dilemma within her family not being able to accept her sexuality was her biggest and most traumatic moment ever
happened to her life. But, her fate would always play with her that one night at the bar somewhere in Malate, Manila would be her most unforgettable nightmare. She said she and her friends decided to hang-out and have some fun to bar. Amidst loud music and indulging lights, a group of men approached them and talked to her girlfriend. The unknown man told Joan’s girlfriend that she’s just wasting her whole life to have a relationship with a lesbian. The guys also insulted Joan for being a lesbian. It created a fire with between Joan and a group of men for she admitted that
UNSERVED Joan testifies she got mauled in the bar because of her sexuality; she professes the suspects could not accept the fact that the woman whom they liked was actually a girlfriend of a lesbian; however, her case gets dismissed.
she got insulted for her personal ego was tapped. She was locked in the restroom and received several punches to skull and face area. After that unwanted incident, she reported it to the police but admitted they didn’t do any necessary actions to close her case. Until now, justice is still unclear to serve. On other hand, she even gets discrimination in her workplace. Just like others, she gets bullied because of her sexual orientation saying that one of her co-worker pointed a finger in front of her face simply because she’s a lesbian.
CURRENT SITUATION There is still a negative psychological impact on her brought about by the traumatic incident she was involved into. Sometimes, she gets scared whenever guys would intend to touch or to get near where she’s standing. Gradually, she learns to mingle again with other people and to hang-outs with her friends at the different bars. Now, she’s enjoying the company of coservice crew and trying to cope up with unwanted situation with calm and ethical manner. All she just wishes is to have the government to do something about this matter that would trigger more extreme situations of gender based cases in the Philippines.
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G RI
Y CK
CASTIL
LO
20 YEARS OLD
TONDO, MANILA
BEAUTICIAN / HAIRSTYLIST
ATTENDED CLASS AT GREGORIO PERFECTO HIGH SCHOOL
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YOUTH SHOULD NOT BE WASTED ON THE YOUNG
HARD HIT Ricky Castillo’s father arrives at home drunk, sees him wearing a towel while dancing in front of the mirror and hits him with a glasscovered picture frame; tiny shards entered inside the skin of his head, leaving it bleeding.
A child is expected to be treated well. He/she should be taken care of and be guided by parents with utmost love and protection. Growing up, a child needs his/her parents for better development— physically and psychologically. However, what if a child does not get the kind of treatment and guidance he/ she deserves? What if his/her own family fails to give him/her the protection, the love and the sense of belongingness he/she needs? Worse, what if he/she is not accepted, maltreated, and abused? Ricky Castillo, 20 years old, is currently living his life with an absolutely happy disposition. Not knowing his story and experiences, one would think that Ricky had a happy and enjoyable childhood; an exact contrary to the narrative that his history has kept
for several years now. EARLY YEARS During his childhood, Ricky got stuck in a personal dilemma in which he was supposed to determine what exactly his gender-identity is. He started to like girls-related stuff and be attracted to persons of the same gender. He became fond of allgirl groups that are often seen in television such as Sexbomb girls. He became interested in putting make-up on one’s face and became fascinated with the wonders that hairdressing can give to a woman. Despite of the dictates of the society that he ought to wear for-boy-garments since he is male, he had that inner eagerness to defy the set norms and wear otherwise to express himself.
ON COMING OUT “Mahirap. Kasi may mga taong tanggap ka at may mga taong di ka tatanggapin [It was difficult, because there are some people who accept you and there are some who do not]”, said Ricky when asked about his coming out stage. Being a gay in a family that is led by a strict father is not a joke especially if he values masculinity and gives so much significance to familial tradition of passing his surname to the coming generations ahead. Ricky said that his father was known in their place as a very tough man; thus, it was expected of him to follow his father’s footsteps. Even before he finally figured out what he really was, he already had a hunch that it would not be easy for him to confess and to come out as a homosexual.
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Ricky shared that he did not really have that surprise coming out. Instead, he expressed himself in a gradual process. By then, his family already noticed the unusual changes about him. INITIAL REACTIONS As for his maternal side, Ricky did not have a problem. His relatives on that side were very supportive of his decision of embracing what believed was his real gender identity. Ricky’s father, on the other hand, did not accept his gender preference. In fact, his father’s treatment toward him palpably changed. As narrated by Ricky, his father had a totally negative impression toward him upon learning his gender identity. His father blatantly displayed his strong disapproval of Ricky’s decision of seizing homosexuality. TOUGHEST EXPERIENCES From the least to the most morbid experiences, name it, Ricky had it. His sexuality brought about a number of unwanted nightmares to his life, of which majority occurred at exact place where he thought he was safe – HOME. His father, who during Ricky’s childhood could hardly ponder the thought that he actually has a gay son, was used to beat Ricky merely because of his gender identity. Aside from the usual punches and kicks Ricky received from his father whenever the latter was seeing the former acting like a girl, there are few more incidents in his life which he considers unforgettably grueling. The first one happened during the day when he was enthusiastically watching Eat Bulaga’s showdown competition between Sexbomb girls and EB Babes, he was performing in front of a half-body mirror while wearing a mere piece of a towel, when his father barged through the door ,
PUBLIC HUMILIATION
saw him dancing and singing, and consequently got irritated at him. His father picked the glass-covered picture frame and forcefully hit it against Ricky’s head. The shards of the said frame entered the skin of Ricky’s head , leaving it bleeding, afterwards. While the second incident happened when he was caught by his father strutting like a beauty queen along their street together with his other gay friends, his father picked a bamboo stick and chased him. Ricky ran as fast as he could to escape from his father; unfortunately, he was caught. He was hit with the bamboo stick numerous times in almost all parts of his body. Accidentally, the wood hit his eye, leaving it bleeding. To this day, he is still consequence of that accident. The affected eye remains burred until now. Aside from home, Ricky also experienced gender-based physical abuse and discrimination at school and in community. At
Ricky’s uncle tightly pulls the edge of his collar up and yells at him for continue being a gay; a number of people in Divisoria witness their commotion.
RUN Ricky scurried away from his furious father who holds a bamboo stick, after seeing him strutting like a beauty queen along their street with his gay friends.
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school, one of his bully classmates in freshmen hit him in his neck with a wooden stick. When he reached senior high, a classmate also punched him in his arm for the thought that Ricky would not fight back. In the community, he and his gay friends were engaged on a riot after the other company allegedly got annoyed with the noise that Ricky’s company created. Aside from that, Ricky will also never forget the time when his uncle forcefully pulled the edge of his collar up, asking him to stop from being a gay. It created a commotion and caught other people’s attention. On one side, since Ricky’s first and current job belongs to a beauty salon, where people like him are very much welcome and accepted; he never experienced any form of physical abuse there.
BAD MANNERS AND WRONG CONDUCT One of Ricky’s classmates hits him in the neck with a piece of wood; some of Ricky’s classmates bully him, physically and psychologically, for being a gay along with her three other gay classmates.
PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACTS More than the physical casualties (e.g wounds, bruises, and scars) brought about by the frequent gender-based physical abuse he experienced from his father, Ricky said that the excruciatingly painful experiences he had under the strict supervision of his father caused him to develop phobia and anguish. “Sobrang laki ng takot ko nun. Lalo nung nandun sa point na sinaktan niya ako. Kumbaga bakit hindi niya matanggap na isa akong gay na kailangan pang dumating sa point na may balak na siyang patayin ako? [I had a huge fear, then Especially when we came to a point when he already beat me. Why can’t he just accept me for who I am, to the point that he almost killed me]?” There came a point when he found himself
unconfident to face other people especially friends. He even kept all of his sufferings from them not just only because he was afraid and ashamed but because he still cared for his father that he did not want his name be tainted and tarnished. ON MOVING ON Moving on came to him in a gradual process. During the last years of his father who was diagnosed of tuberculosis, Ricky’s torment and anger were all converted into care and love. Also, Ricky never reported his case to the police for e thought that it would just put his father in a light of controversy and danger. Instead, what he did was he strove hard to forget everything and just thought of the positive and wonderful memories that he and his father shared together.
LIFE LESSONS With all the heart piercing verbal assaults uttered against him by a lot of people which caused his ego to shrink into a size of a raisin, with all the embarrassing moments he had gone through with his father and uncle due to his sexual orientation and with all the bruises and wounds he endured, he can say now that he is stronger more than ever. Even though his childhood was not as flamboyant and as fruitful as those of the others. Even though instead of sweet kisses and warm hugs, what he received from his father were insults and bruises. Still he is thankful for he never let his life be wasted on the young. Instead, he used all of his terrible experiences as stepping stone to find the stronger version of himself. Loving, Understanding. Forgiving.
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B GI
ER B L
T OPE ÑA
19 YEARS OLD
TONDO, MANILA
STUDENT
ATTENDS SCHOOL AT PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
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SHIFT
INHUMANE PUNISHMENT After Gilbert’s aunt heard the spreading gossip about what had happened between him and his sexually maniac neighbor, her aunt puts her inside a sack and hangs it in front of their house.
In Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, the need for selfbelongingness is placed at the middle of the pyramid. This stage is crucial for this is the time when a person is at need for a companion or anyone whom he/she can lean or depend on. Family is considered as the smallest unit of community and a place where a person starts to grow and develop. This is also the first place that a person seeks to compensate all of his needs -from the most basic up to the most demanding ones. However, what will happen if a person is deprived of a family that will not only compensate his physiological needs but also the others? Will he/she develop to a promising person many people would like to become? Gilbert Opena, 19 years old, is currently one of the
prime movers of his university when it comes to leadership and academics. He is an achiever, indeed. Who would ever think that he never had a chance to have a complete family? How about a caring home to live in? Who would say that his childhood was as dark as a nightmare? Will anybody notice that he was once a victim of physical abuse? Probably, the answer to all the questions raised would be “No” for the new Gilbert does not represent the weak and the pathetic person he used to be several years back. The Gilbert that he is now today is marked with strength, confidence and respect. CONFUSED YEARS Liking a girl and a boy at the same time was the weirdest thing that Gilbert ever experienced. He was very young that time when his heart first pounded to a girl and concurrently, a boy. At first,
Gilbert thought that it was just a typical phenomenon that really happens to a person no matter what his/her gender identity is, but as years went by, he realized that his experience was totally far from the experiences of other common heterosexuals and homosexuals alike (especially the gays and the lesbians who are sexually attracted to persons of similar sexes, alone). His case was totally different for he got to appreciate persons of both sexes. SELF-DETERMINATION During his childhood, people would often label Gilbert as gay due to some feminine nuances he had. But despite all the tagging, Gilbert knew deep down him that even though he had an interest toward girl-related stuff, masculinity still lay beneath is skin. Thus, it was hard for him to conclude that he was a gay.
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It was only during high school that he finally learned about the existence of the word “bisexual”, a homosexual who is attracted at both female and male sexes—a terminology/ category that suits for him. PROBLEMS, CHALLENGES, UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES Gilbert grew up in Manila, apparently far from the hometown where his mother and half siibings were living. He was raised by his grandfather here in Tondo and lived under one roof with his uncle and aunt. Growing up, Gilbert faced a lot of problems concerning his relationship with his other relatives. His aunt and uncle used to beat him up due to their bias against Gilbert’s homosexual tendencies at that time. Even though Gilbert did neither confirm nor deny the accusations of other people pointing out his gender identity, his relatives still became very much speculative of his sexuality. Since Gilbert’s relatives displayed a vehement disapproval to his sexuality, thinking that he was actually a homosexual, Gilbert’s actions became limited especially during those days when his relatives started inflicting pain at him. Everything started when a gossip spread across their street that Gilbert sucked the penis of one of their neighbors. After her aunt learned about the issue, he
CALL OF FLESH One of Gilbert’s most notorious neighbors coerces him to suck his penis; it does not succeed after another neighbor sees them on the spot.
FAST AND FURIOUS Gilbert is chased by his uncle after he repeatedly rebutted the claim of his uncle that he was sinful because he was a homosexual.
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was intensely beaten up and was put inside a sack and was hung in front of their house for some minutes. There also came a point when Gilbert’s uncle chased him after he rebutted on one of his uncle’s malicious accusations toward him. The incidents of him being abused by his relatives because of his gender identity and sexual orientation were repeatedly and frequently done. On one side, Gilbert never experienced genderbased physical abuse in school and in workplace.
PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL UPSHOTS Aside from the wounds, bruises, body pains and scars that Gilbert had after all the terribly traumatic experiences of his life, the emotional impact that those incidents left to his mind and heart was considered a bigger deal. Due to the physical abuse he received from his relatives, Gilbert developed a mentality that he needed to control himself from a being a loud homosexual. He had a notion that people would just hurt
him just like what his relatives did to him once they knew that he is a homosexual. REDISCOVERING ONESELF After all the sufferings that Gilbert had endured under his relatives, Gilbert learned to love himself first and then share love with other people. At first, his legs were buried in the soil of hopelessness and deplorability but now he made it to stand from that challenge. Gilbert maintains a very positive aura, which even
reflects to every smile he projects. Meanwhile, Gilbert does not live under the custody of his relatives anymore, Even though he once held a grudge on his relatives, little by little it fades. As per Gilbert, he just learned how to accept individual differences. And instead of burning himself over the stress and anguish of the past, He converted these negative energies to be of inspiration to others today.
STRONG PUNCH Gilbert’s grandfather punches him in the stomach after seeing him unconsciously doing feminine nuances.
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CESS”
CA AN
OS
EDW
D
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IN PR
ST
AR
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20 YEARS OLD
H.B. HARRISON, PASAY
SELF-EMPLOYED
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MODERN DAY CINDERELLA
UNACCEPTED Princess Castanos pushes her away from their house for they simply cannot accept her being a transgender woman.
Having someone to lean on when you need one, having someone who will support you in everything you do , who will inspire you to give the best that you can, who will help you with your every day struggles and who will make your everyday life wonderful are just some of the many benefits of having a family. A family is a group of people in which every member loves each other unconditionally. No matter what happens, no matter what you are, no matter what your decisions may be, no matter you’re your actions may be, your family will always be there supporting you. Unfortunately, not everyone has this kind of relationship with their family. Edward “Princess” Castanos, a 20 year old transgender
woman, is one of the unfortunate ones who don’t have a good relationship with her family. EARLY YEARS Princess’ childhood years were pretty much the same with those of other homosexual children – full of confusion and denial. At a very young age, Princess has already started to feel different. She started to like playing games which are only played by girls. She started having interest in using make-up and wearing girly clothes. According to her, when she was 12 years old, she has already started noticing changes with her emotions too. When she was still young, Princess’ relatives and friends have already started noticing changes in
her personality. They were already asking her about the changes in her movements. Despite the fact that she was already enjoying what she feels, she can’t completely express herself because of the eyes watching and following her every move. COMING OUT Having a brother who always watches her every move was hard for Princess. She was like a prisoner trying to get away from the sight of his police guard. “Binabantayan pala nila yung galaw ko. Yung kuya ko naman na kasabay ko sa pag alis, nagsusumbong dun sa nagpalaki sa akin, ang sabi babae, di pwede yan itatali ko yan,[They were watching my every move. My
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HELPLESS Princess gets beaten up by his relatives due to her sexuality; her cousins force her to be a straight guy so as for them not to feel ashamed about her, anymore.
brother would join me on the way home then he would tell those who raised us, then the woman would say, that’s not allowed I’ll tie you up,] Princess said while recollecting past episodes of her life. In the province, Princess’ family still doesn’t know about her current sexual orientation and gender –preference. Meanwhile, here in manila, since she knows that her cousins might not easily accept her sexual orientation and gender identity, she expressed himself in a gradual process. And by the time her family has noticed the changes in her appearance, Princess has started to make drastic changes to herself. INITIAL REACTIONS When her brother first saw her as a transgender woman, Princess can’t help but notice the disappointed face of her brother.
“Hindi niya din tanggap, parang ganun. Naiyak siya nung magkasama kami sa terminal. Sinundo niya ako pero parang kaibigan lang kasi nga nahiya daw siya, [It’s like, he can’t accept me. He cried when we were at the terminal. He fetched me up but he treated me like a friend because he said he’s shy,] when asked about her family when they found out about her sexual orientation and gender preference. Princess’ cousins, sons of her aunt who raised her, cannot accept the fact that she is a transgender woman. They are the ones who extremely dislike the Princess’ transformation from being a man to being a transgender woman. TOUGHEST EXPERIENCES Princess experienced and still experiences gender-based physical abuse from the hands of the people who should be the one protecting her – her relatives.
One of the most unforgettable and tragic things that has happened to her, was when she was hanging out with her female cousin. While they were walking home, they saw her cousin’s brother, who happens to be a policeman. Her male cousin got really angry saying that Princess is being a very bad influence to her sister. The police was so mad at Princess to the point when his cousin pointed his gun to her mouth. There was also an incident where she was stabbed in her left arm by his cousin whom she asked about her missing cellphone. She shared that her cousin had a bias against her prior to that incident due to her sexual orientation. She also recalled the frequent physical torture she receives from his cousins due to her sexual orientation which became even more intense as she was gradually flaunting her real
sexuality, through dressing up like a woman. She also experienced being almost kicked out of the house many times. Her cousins would always tell her to leave their house and to not live with them anymore. Despite of this, Princess doesn’t want to live this house. She doesn’t want to leave the house. Because in this house, lives the only family she has. “Please . baka maiyak ako,” [please. I might cry too,]Princess said when she saw us comforting her. Princess shared that her experienced being bullied at school because of her gender identity and sexual orientation before. Even though she did not experience being abused physically, she stressed that the discriminatory statements thrown against her left scar in her heart and consciousness. There was a time when Princess was about to ride in a jeepney when a guy approached
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MORE THAN THE STAB Princess is in total pain not just only because of the physical stab he got from his cousin but also of the thought that his relatives cannot really accept who he is despite of being a family.
him and gave her compliments. She said she did not know that the guy was just trying toget under her skin and deceive her with his sugarcoated words and phrases. Suddenly, she was gripped tight, and forced to give her things to him. In the community, she believed that the guy took advantage of her sexuality, thinking that she could easily be fooled by merely doing such. Aside from that incident and other verbal discrimination she has received from random people who do not really know her, there were no more unfortunate incidents ocurred. One reason could be the very minimal exposure she has with the community she belongs to; after work she immediately goes home. The same cycle repeats every day.
IN ONE PULL Princess’ life is put at great risk as his police cousin points a gun inside her mouth after the latter discovered that the former brought his sibling somewhere; her cousin suspects that since she is a gay, she is already embarking on illegal flesh transactions.
PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACTS Psychological effect lasts longer mental and social. Princess said that being physically abused especially by her own relatives led her to be out of focus most of the time. She said that she has also developed trauma and her attention span was shortened. She shared, that even if sometimes she tries hard to get to school she can’t because she feels nothing when a person is talking in front of her. She can’t use her glasses because she is nor traumatic. There are times
that she just loses her attention to something and becomes out of place. She does not have a problem with socializing to other people. In fact, he even said that he finds it more comfortable to talk and bond with other people than his own relatives. He feels safer with other people. He wants to build great relationship with people he does not personally know. ON MOVING ON Since Princess is still living with the family who abuses her she can’t move on.
“Hindi ko masabing napatawad ko na kasi hindi pa tanggap na ganito ang pagkatao ko, yung pananakit, yung lamang pa sa hayop na ginaganyan nila. Siguro pag nagpaka layo layo ako, makakalimutan ko din. Magpakasaya na lang ako para makalimutan yung naranasan ko.[I can’t say that I’ve forgiven them. because until now they can’t still accept my personality. The way they hurt me, is not human. Maybe once I get away from them, I’d eventually forget about these traumatic experiences,] Princess answered when asked if she has already moved on. LIFE LESSONS With all the things she has experienced, Princess has learned to endure hardships. She has learned to find beauty in something that not everyone can appreciate. And, she has learned to open up to the world. She has stopped hiding. And, she has learned to be content with everything she has, love every little details of it. She has learned to take every challenges as an opportunity and every oppurtunityas ablessing.
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ONE HEART, ONE ADVOCACY
THE COLLECTIVE BATTLE OF LGBTS In the previous years, victims of gender-based discrimination and physical abuse had long been in a search for a company whom they can lean on during the time of the most tragic. Good thing, they are no longer alone in fighting for their rights. In the country, there are different established organizations aimed at fighting for LGBT rights and also to help members of the LGBT community with the problems and struggles they face. These organizations have different objectives but have one goal – gender equality. They strive to fight for equal rights between heterosexuals and homosexuals. They clamor through every possible way for the government to finally recognize the vulnerability of the sector they are serving. They started the journey and they will never quit until the goal has been achieved. [1] PREMIER LGBT ORGANIZATION Ang Ladlad partylist was dubbed by CNN as the first and only LGBT party in the world. It is a political party in the Philippines which promotes gender equality and human rights. The group is also concerned with helping and supporting marginalized members of the LGBT community, especially in solving their health, legal and employment problems. It has tried getting a seat in the Philippine congress in the 2010 and 2013 elections. But unfortunately, the group was not able to get a 2.0% of votes needed to acquire a slot in the House of Representatives. These two failed attempts on getting a position in
the government led Ang Ladlad to a hiatus as a political party. Despite of that, Mr. Danton Remoto, founder of Ang Ladlad Partylist said in an interview that their part will just have a temporary seatback this coming 2016 elections. But come the 2019 elections; expect that Ang Ladlad will again be a part of the roster of competing partylists vying to secure a spot in the congress to continue its sworn promise to pass the anti-lgbt discrimination law. Meanwhile, Ms. Bemz Benedito, first congressional nominee of Ang Ladlad Party, said that Ang Ladlad, though has been temporarily been delisted from the roster of partylists that can run this coming 2016 elections, still continues to serve the LGBT sector especially those who are victims of gender-based physical abuse through offering them free legal and medical assistance. For those LGBTs who have been victimized by other people due to their sexuality, Benedito asked them to call at their office so as for their voices and concerns to be heard. She furthered that Ang Ladlad does not stop in helping the LGBTs especially the ones whose rights are being suppressed. [2] NEWLY ESTABLISHED LGBT ORGANIZATION Kapederasyon is an LGBT organization established on May 17, 2014. Ms. Corky Hope Maranan, the group’s secretarygeneral, said in an interview that the group was conceptualized after Ang Ladlad partylist was dissolved. It is a newly established
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LGBTs, especially murder cases. In an interview with Atty. Germaine Trittle Leonin, one of the founding members of the PHCW, she said that they’ve decided to create an organization which will keep an eye on hate crimes being committed against the LGBTs because some of their close friends were also victims of such crimes. Currently, PHCW is in a hiatus after its founding members have parted ways and left the country due to personal reasons. [4] NOT YOUR ORDINARY MAGAZINE Outrage Magazine is a cause oriented magazine. It is the only Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender online magazine in the whole archipelago. It publishes numerous stories featuring cases of gender based violence for primary purpose of raising awareness and promoting gender equality and LGBT rights. Unlike other LGBT cause-oriented groups, Outrage magazine is more active in publishing stories online than in joining rallies and demonstrations.
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political organization which promotes gender equality and fights with lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders against all forms of abuse and discrimination. Ms. Corky Hope Maranan, Secretary-General of Kapederasyon, said that their organization really sees the deplorable plight that many Filipino LGBTs in the country face, especially those of the marginalized sector of the society. Based on her observation, she said those who were in the poorest decile of the society are the ones most prone to gender-based physical abuse. They are the ones often reported to be victims of discrimination, rape, homicide and murder. More so, Maranan shared that Kapederasyon has designed a particular department whose job mainly revolves around overseeing the various cases of gender-based physical abuse among Filipino LGBTs. This department receives
calls from whoever LGBTs asking for legal and medical assistance after being physically-abused by other people. [3] WATCHDOG ORGANIZATION Philippine Hate Crime Watch is an organization which monitors the number of cases of hate crimes and discrimination in the country. It gathers information about cases involving Filipino
[5] STURDY RAINBOW Rainbow Rights Projects, Inc., founded by Atty. Germaine Trittle Leonin, seeks to eliminate gender violence and hate crimes within our country. It is composed of numerous gay and lesbian lawyers and advocates giving legal assistance to the victims of physical abuse. They firmly believe that the law should not be an instrument to operate oppression
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V IA RI S HOUSE B I L L S
HOUSE BILL NO. 2571 Introduced by Sol Aragones AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8551, ALSO KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE REFORM AND REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1998 TO CREAT AN LGBT PROTECTION DESK IN ALL POLICE STATIONS HOUSE BILL NO. 110 Introduced by Kaka Bag-ao AN ACT PROHIBITNG DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY AND PROVIDING PENALTIES
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V IA RI S
TIMELINE FOR LGBT HISTORY IN THE PHILIPPINES 1992
1998
The Communist Party of the Philippines integrated LGBT rights into its party platform in 1992, becoming the first Philippine political party to do so.
Senators Marcelo B. Fernan and Miriam Defensor Santiago submitted a series of four bills that barred recognition of marriage involving transgender individuals.
2002 STRAP (Society of Transsexual WOMEN of the Philippines), a Manila-based support group for women of transsexual experience and transgenders established in 2002.
LAGABLAB, the Lesbian and Gay Legislative Advocacy Network established in 1999
2009 2007 The Philippine Commission on Election disqualified the Ang Ladlad Partylist to run in the national election for lacking of nationwide membership
The Philippines announced that it was lifting its ban on allowing openly gay and bisexual men and women from enlisting and serving in the Philippine Armed Services.
2014
2010 The Supreme Court turned out the decision of the COMELEC that branded the Ladlad Partylist “immoral” and let it to participate in the national elections in May 2010.
1999
2011 The Philippines abstained from signing the United Nations declaration on sexual orientation and gender identity, which condemns violence, harassment, discrimination, exclusion, stigmatization, and pre judice based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The country gave a landmark yes vote on a follow-up resolution by the UN Human Rights Council to fight violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI). Jennifer Laude’s murder case happened. It has become mainstream both in traditional and new media. Hate speech and genderbased discrimination overflowed because of the lack of understanding about transgender and strong stigma about this issue.
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V IA RI S
HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW
BILL
The other House will introduce amendments. If the House from which the bill was proposed does not approve of the amendments, the differences will be settled by a meeting with the Conference Committees of both Houses, whose recommendations will have to be approved by both Houses.
If the President does not approve the bill and decides to exercise his veto powers, the House may re-pass the vetoed bill if two-thirds of both Houses approve its enactment. If this happens, the bill officially becomes a law.
The proposed bill, signed by its author, will be filed with the secretary of the congress and the senate.
On the Second Reading, the bill will be read in together with the proposed amendments from the committee. Then, the bill will be discussed further in the House where it was proposed. If approved, it would go through the third reading.
Once the bill is approved, it is transmitted to the Office of the President for signature. The President may approve or veto the bill to indicate disapproval. Once approved, the bill officially becomes a law.
The bill will undergo three readings.
On the First Reading, the number and title of the bill will be read. Then, the bill will be referred to the appropriate committee for possible amendments.
LAW
R A G E