Why philipines have more lgbtq
The History of Gay Visibility in the Philippines
This month of June marks a significant event within the LGBTQ+ collective around the earth. It was in June 1969 when the Stonewall Riot in Manhattan, Novel York ultimately turned the tides in the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States, which is why the world celebrates LGBT Pride in the month of June1.
Filipino LGBT youth today may not be aware of the history of a community where they belong. Within the Philippines’ conservative identity, the community’s roots have long been ignored by many. As such, permit us take a quick look at the history of the LGBT movement in the Philippines, from its indigenous conceptualization to today’s advocacy for the anti-discrimination bill.
The first account of women and gender crossing men playing major roles in the Philippine society was the Babaylan, a priestess who was a bounty of knowledge and spirituality. The babaylan even had the might to take accuse of the barangay (community) in the absence of the datu (community leader). There were some babaylan who were male called asog, who were free to have lesbian relations without societal judgement. The asog were not cross dre
Statement of the Psychological Association of the Philippines on Non-Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Individuality and Expression
August 14, 2020
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Filipinos persist to experience stigma, prejudice and discrimination in Philippine society. This stigma is manifested in actions such as: bullying, teasing and harassment of LGBT children and adolescents in families, schools and communities; media portrayal of LGBTs as frivolous, untrustworthy and even dangerous or predatory; denying transgender Filipinos entry into commercial establishments; pigeonholing LGBT Filipinos into particularly limited roles and occupations; or curtailing their rights to participate in the political sphere.
LGBT Filipinos often confront social pressures to obscure, suppress or even aim to change their identities and expressions as conditions for their social acceptance and enjoyment of rights. Although many LGBTs grasp to cope with this social stigma, these experiences can cause serious psychological distress, including immediate consequences such as fear, sadness, alienation, anger and internalized stigma (Hatzenbuehler, 2009; Meyer, 2003).
I am proud of the strides made towards queer acceptance in the Philippines. Although we still have a long way to travel, the fact that queerfolk can even hold self-acceptance parades without fear of censorship means so much to me. But even then, you would never catch me going to these events. Obviously, not because I’m homophobic. Any reason I have to be afraid of myself gets settled in therapy. I simply can’t combine with the type of queer Filipinos who acquire the confidence to link these parades. At least, that’s what I say myself. I’m sure there are so many accepting queerfolk in these parades that I’m simply too insecure to talk to.
I also have issues with my country’s desire, both queer and straights alike, to paint queerness with one technicolor brush. Although my friends support my non-binary self, I recognize so many old-school gays and lesbians who don’t understand it. God prohibit I have to interpret to my parents that on top of creature bisexual, I’m not even 100% on the whole “boy” thing.
But, I can give it a try.
Also read: We Will Build it Through Pride
Being Homosexual Sucked For A Extended Time In The Philippines
Before colonists spread
In pre-colonial times, Indigenous communities respected the “babaylan”, or Filipino version of a shaman who sometimes crossed genders. Today, these healers are icons for LGBTQIA+ activists fighting to outlaw discrimination, says Cheng Pagulayan in our latest blog for Pride month
Pre-colonial Philippines has always fascinated me because of its colourful cultural practices, interesting 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 practice of having a babaylan did not last long during the Spanish colonisation, as the colonisers 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-
Philippines
The Philippines consistently ranks in perception indices as among the most “accepting” countries in Asia toward LGBTIQ persons. Several recent surveys have demonstrated generally positive views regarding gay and lesbian people, as well as steep levels of assist for an anti-discrimination law covering sexual orientation and gender identity. However, a 2018 Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey found that only 22 percent of Filipinos supported queer civil unions, and a majority opposed trans women’s access to women’s toilets.
Several laws and policies have aimed to advance LGBTIQ inclusion. Ex-President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Request No. 100 s. 2019 on December 17, 2019, institutionalizing the Diversity and Inclusion Program (DIP), which serves as a national initiative to consolidate actions and enforce laws, rules, and issuances against discrimination. In 2023, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued Executive Command No. 51 s. 2023, amending EO 100 s. 2019 to further boost the DIP, reconstituting the Inter-Agency Committee on Diversity and Inclusion and establishing the Special Committee on Lesbian, Same-sex attracted, Bisexual, Transgender, Gay, Intersex,