By Kate Quiambao

Within the confines of Ateneo de Manila Senior High School (ASHS) and reaching far beyond its campus, the LGBTQIA+ community serves as a radiant emblem of resilience, progress, and unwavering advocacy. Remarkably, the school stands proudly as an institution deeply committed to fostering a gender-inclusive, gender-safe, and gender-responsive environment, further bolstering the community’s journey towards equality and acceptance. In harmony with these ideals, on June 25, members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community wholeheartedly engaged in the 2023 Manila Pride March, an occasion of monumental significance.

This momentous event offered secure and inclusive spaces that were both enlightening and empowering, enabling participants to celebrate their identities while passionately advocating for their rights and visibility. While the Manila Pride March has garnered substantial momentum over the years, witnessing increased participation and support from diverse sectors of society — it is vital to acknowledge that there is still considerable progress to be achieved. Therefore, it is imperative to delve into the present state of the LGBTQIA+ community within and beyond the ASHS, highlighting the accomplishments and persisting challenges that shape the path towards an all-encompassing future of inclusivity.

Voices of Pride

During the School Year 2022-2023, the Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS) made significant strides towards equality by implementing various initiatives, including its own Pride March and Gender Sensitivity Trainings. Miko Tan, a student who has been part of the Ateneo community since elementary school, expressed satisfaction with the progress made as he entered senior high school.

“I feel comfortable [in] openly expressing my identity in school because the ASHS normalizes the setting of inclusivity and diversity in the school, given the multiple events and webinars provided by Lakambini, and the numerous modules by the Guidance subject that educate us students about the community and policies that protect us students from being discriminated,” Tan expressed.

For Tan, this inclusive environment in the ASHS was a new experience compared to his time at Ateneo de Manila Junior High School (AJHS). He noted, “The AJHS lacks education on inclusion and the scope of SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression) given that we only had a talk on gender sensitivity in our last year of JHS. Additionally, it was insufficient in terms of [the] number of talks given that not everyone can grasp the construct or concept of the spectrum in one day or three talks.”

This highlights that while the events and trainings have undoubtedly increased awareness and equipped students with the necessary knowledge and tools to address discrimination and advocate for equality, continuous improvement is still possible. However, through normalizing discussions surrounding inclusivity and diversity, the ASHS has fostered an environment where students can flourish and feel a sense of support.

One Big Pride?

Tan acknowledged that despite feeling personally at ease expressing his identity in school, he recognized that this may not be the case for everyone within the LGBTQIA+ community. He acknowledged the diverse experiences and emotions individuals in the community may have when it comes to openly expressing their identities, emphasizing that it is essential to consider that “there could be other factors at play that could hinder them from freely expressing their true selves.”

To provide an example, Noelle Alarcon, the head of Lakambini — a student committee dedicated to cultivating a culture of gender sensitivity and awareness with a central focus on promoting and upholding the principles of SOGIE equality and women empowerment — expressed a concern regarding certain unavoidable circumstances where the school’s allyship and support for the LGBTQIA+ community could be further reinforced. She highlighted an incident related to the dress code as an illustration. “When Fridays were dedicated to org sessions and casual wear, students were free to express themselves in any way they wanted to, as long as it abided by the student handbook. However, other students, whose gender expression did not comply with heteronormative standards, were more easily called out by certain members of the faculty.” Alarcon stated.

In addition, Alarcon mentioned instances where school security, although operating independently from the school, had prohibited students from accessing restrooms that aligned with their gender identity. Similarly, Liana Mendoza, the former head of Lakambini, emphasized the need to reassess the administration’s tolerance for faculty members who fail to recognize the gender inclusivity outlined in the handbook or practice gender-inclusive and sensitive approaches. Mendoza asserted, “The administration must improve in terms of acknowledging cases of gender-based cases of harassment or abuse that involve the student body. Silence is ignorance and apathy.”

Despite these instances of shortcomings, both former and current heads of Lakambini hold the belief that with the support of the administration during the previous school year, Lakambini was able to combat the discrimination experienced by sexual and gender minorities in an environment previously dominated by hegemonic masculinity. “This is definitely a big step compared to other schools or institutions which are bound by harmful, traditional values or laws.” Mendoza stated.

However, Mendoza also believed that it is crucial to understand that appreciation should not be mistaken for a sense of complacency or stagnation. This shows that while it is essential to acknowledge the positive improvements made by the ASHS community and the administration, it is equally important to go beyond mere recognition and actively pursue accountability and continued progress.

In Pursuit of Equality

In celebration of this year’s Pride Month, two vibrant pride events took place on Saturday, June 24. One of them was the Metro Manila Pride held in Makati, featuring the empowering theme, “Tayo ang Kulayaan! Samot-saring Lakas, Sama-sama sa Landas!” Additionally, a Pride Festival was organized in Quezon City, embracing the theme, “Love, Laban: A Celebration of the Fight for Love in All Forms and Ways.” These gatherings served as a unifying platform for diverse communities to come together, fostering love while amplifying calls for equal rights.

Notably, on the same day, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte made a significant announcement and introduced the Right to Care Card, a groundbreaking initiative that grants LGBTQIA+ couples the authority to make vital medical decisions on behalf of their partners. This development exemplifies a remarkable step towards inclusivity and protection of LGBTQIA+ rights.

Drawing an impressive crowd of approximately 110,000 participants, the Love Laban event etched its place in history as what is claimed to be the “biggest Pride event in Southeast Asia.” Beyond its size, various groups highlighted the fundamental aspect of Pride as a protest, exemplified by attendees proudly brandishing their colorful placards and taking to the streets in support of the passage of the SOGIE Equality bill. This proposed legislation aims to safeguard individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics.

Even after 23 years since its initial filing, the SOGIE Equality bill remains an elusive goal. Progress towards its enactment has been minimal, as the bill remains pending and lacks the necessary momentum to move forward. Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, perceiving no sense of urgency, has not prioritized the passage of this proposed measure. This lack of legislative action exposes LGBTQIA+ individuals to ongoing vulnerability and discrimination, particularly in areas such as employment, housing, education, and healthcare.

The reality facing the LGBTQIA+ community within and beyond the ASHS is undeniable: there lies an arduous and challenging path ahead, with a significant amount of progress remaining to be accomplished. The quest for full acceptance, equality, and inclusion is far from over. Hence, it is crucial that we call upon the government to enact substantial measures, and persistently and resolutely advocate for equal rights for all.