Queer in lgbtq+ tagalog
Pre-colonial Philippines has always fascinated me because of its colourful cultural practices, engaging language, and fantastical myths. As a queer development communicator, my favourite figure has always been the babaylan, the Filipino version of a shaman, who was a healer, diviner, and priestess in Indigenous communities.
While the babaylan was typically a woman – well-respected in her community for her ability to bridge material and spiritual worlds – historical accounts showed that there were also male babaylan who crossed genders, making them symbolic icons for the Philippine LGBTQIA+ movement today.
The Indigenous rehearse of having a babaylan did not last prolonged during the Spanish colonization, as the colonizers found this powerful class of Filipinos a threat. But over a century after the Spanish left, a vibrant modern LGBTQIA+ community keeps the memory of these pre-colonial icons alive.
From Past Respect to Present Discrimination and Violence
From being well-respected babaylans in pre-colonial society, many members of the Philippine LGBTQIA+ collective now face a more hostile context, with gender-based hostility and discrimination. While queer people ha
Bakla! Bakla! Paano ka ginawa?: A Phenomenological Study on Filipino LGBT Coming Out Experiences in the Philippine Context
Bakla! Bakla! Paano ka ginawa?: A Phenomenological Study on Filipino LGBT Coming Out Experiences in the Philippine Context
One of the many manifestations of the continuous brawl of the LGBT group for acceptance in community is the culture of coming out. It is the process wherein a queer individual formally transitions into letting everyone around them know about their gender identity. However, there is a need to create an academic narrative for their experiences to raise further awareness about their struggles. This manuscript seeks to determine the factors contributing to individuals’ confidence in openly disclosing and identifying as homosexual and analyze the themes of societal progression in varied narratives of openly LGBT Individuals. The researchers interviewed eight (8) Filipino adult Lesbian, Gay, Double attraction, and Transgender individuals, using a qualitative approach partnered with thematic analysis on determining the different themes behind the various experiences of people that own undergone the process of coming out. T
One of my students was making the point that perhaps the reason why LGBTQ+ rights aren’t creature given much of a priority is because of the many other more pressing issues around the world—the ongoing war on Gaza, the encroachment on our territory and harassment of our fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea, etc. Another student responded, “Hanggat hindi malaya lahat ng bakla, walang taong malaya.” Until all gay folk are free, no one is.
“Bakla” is a term that has been used as an insult, to push people down. It is also still used today to generally refer to people who don’t identify as direct. Some believe that the term comes from the combination of the words “babae” (woman), and “lalaki” (man). Interestingly, the Visayan term “Bayot” may include come from the combination of “Bayi” (woman) and “Utin” (male genitals). Informal assumptions like this about the origins of indigenous words are widespread; another would be that “Bakla,” in the original baybayin, is BA (babae), KA (spirit connection), and LA (lalaki). KA is symbolized by two wavy lines connected by a line, and one wavy line is the syllable HA. Hangin means wind, which is also breath, which represents the spirit. Th
Say It With Pride: 15 Tagalog Words For LGBTQ You Should Know
Respect is a core part of Filipino culture. It’s woven into how we communicate, greet, and connect. And when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community, it’s imperative to use the right words. It’s not just about being polite. It’s honoring our culture, showing care, and celebrating our differences.
And, if you’re travelling to the Philippines soon, it’s a must that you know the Tagalog words for LGBTQ! Together, we’ll explore what words reflect inclusivity with daily Filipino expressions comparable to it. Whether slang or formal, learning the Tagalog language with gender-inclusive terms is a step closer to celebrating our shared culture.
15 Most Ordinary Tagalog Words For LGBTQ
If you have heard the word bakla or tomboy in a Tagalog conversation, chances are you wondered what they meant. Filipino LGBTQ+ vocabulary is not only rich with verbalization, but also with history and emotion.
While some Tagalog words for LGBTQ are widely accepted, others are used with humor, caution, or only in handpick social circles. To support you understand them improved, let’s break down these commonly use
LGBTQ+ History Month: Lgbtq+ Culture in Pre-colonial Philippines
LGBTQ+ History Month is renowned every February in the UK, constructed to claim the past, celebrate the present, and design the future. We can’t wait to share these stories with you over February and rejoice with the Imperial community.
Long before the arrival of colonial forces, the Philippines boasted a prosperous tapestry of cultures and societies, each with its one-of-a-kind customs and attitudes toward gender and sexuality. Filipinos, before the influence of the Spaniards (between 1565-1898) were animists, believing that all things had a distinct spiritual essence. In this exploration, we delve into the pre-colonial era of the Philippines to uncover the diverse and inclusive perspectives that once characterised the archipelago.
‘Babaylans’, ‘Asogs’, ‘Bayoks’, and the Spiritual Spectrum
The Philippines' pre-colonial culture is thought to have been matriarchal before turning patriarchal, reflecting gender multiplicity, plurality, and diversity. Women were highly esteemed due to their role in procreation, which bestowed upon them not only the ability to give existence but also an extended capacity for healing. There