“KALALAKI MONG tao,” my old high school teacher said to me with a look of contempt and distaste, after abruptly bumping into me in public. Growing up as a flamboyant and feminine boy, I have always heard various reiterations of this statement: “pambabae lang ‘yan!” or “hindi dapat ganyan ang mga lalaki.”

All of these statements held the same intention and reason—why do I express myself differently than how men are expected to?

Queer identities in the Philippines are said to be generally supported because of how supposedly LGBTQIA+-accepting and gender-inclusive the country is. According to a 2021 study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law’s William Institute, the Philippines ranks 36th out of the 175 most LGBTQIA+ friendly countries. Queer individuals residing in the Philippines are considered generally accepted and loved, especially with many members of the community being vocal and prominent in various industries.

Primarily in the entertainment and media industry, queer identities and stories have continued to flourish. Alongside the popularity of Drag Race Philippines, drag queens and queer celebrities such as Taylor Sheesh, Sassa Girl, and Vice Ganda have all been seen to thrive and gain popularity in the country.

Despite notable movements in fostering acceptance and understanding, members of the queer community continue to face discrimination and prejudice in the Philippines. Rooted in a Catholic and religiously conservative culture, the country’s dominantly propagated ideologies surrounding gender and sexuality greatly marginalize and vilify the LGBTQIA+ community.

Thus, from exclusion in professional and social communities to gender-based violence, queer individuals continue to be plagued by abhorrence and prejudice. Many members of the community face ostracism in their families, bullying in educational facilities, and even rejection from companies solely because of their gender identity and expression.

Even with the reality of the queer struggle in the Philippines and the constant plea for gender-inclusive spaces, the national government has yet to pass a bill addressing the criminalization of gender-based discrimination. Bills aimed to protect the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, such as the Anti-Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression bill, have been continually pushed off.

Moreover, with the prominence of Catholic influences in the government, bills and policies addressing gender issues have been deemed unnecessary. In the country’s Philippines’ religious and conservative context, people are born with social and religious expectations of how they should identify and appear. Thus, to be truly accepted is to have the freedom to express yourself and live out your identity without the fear of being discriminated against. 

With the repercussions and possibilities of facing discrimination and prejudice from their peers, queer individuals face difficulties in fully expressing and exploring their own identities. Thus, the fight for inclusivity and equality necessitates not only relentlessly advocating for anti-discriminatory bills but also forwarding reforms in the systems that continue to vilify our voices, identity, and expression.

Bryce Garrett G. Tamayo is a second-year Information Design student in the Ateneo de Manila University who is expecting to graduate in 2026. Intertwining art and journalism, they hope to communicate everyday stories and realities through their illustrations and designs.

Editor’s Note: The views and opinions expressed by the opinion writer do not necessarily state or reflect those of the publication.