PANTAY, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, called for more gender-inclusive schools, noting that discrimination persists in academic institutions.
”Inclusion must be institutionalized and visible in student handbooks, representation in student councils and the way staff addresses students,” said Pantay national convenor Anna Cubacub during a Pride Month celebration at Instituto Cervantes, done in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines.
Cubacub added that the lack of uniform policies across educational institutions in the country was a recurring issue. She shared contrasting stories of two transgender students — one who was forced to drop out due to discrimination and another who thrived in a supportive school environment.
”It’s disheartening to see institutions that are quick to police haircuts and uniforms but fail to include protections for LGBTQ+ students in their handbooks,” Cubacub said.
”Administrations need to see how important and life-saving these policies are. When inclusion wins, everyone wins — even the institutions themselves,” Cubacub added.
Despite the existence of anti-discrimination ordinances and the Safe Spaces Act, Cubacub said there were schools that deliberately ignore these laws.
Nadine Umali, a former teacher, said LGBTQ+ awareness must start early, ideally before students reach college.
”It’s easier to legislate policies than it is to change culture; that’s why we need to start fostering awareness and inclusion as early as elementary school,” she said.
”When we start these conversations at the college level, the culture is already set,” she added.
On June 2, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. became the first Philippine president to openly express his support for the LGBTQ+ community when he released a statement in support of the community.
However, critics alleged his declaration as lacking substance because of his failure to prioritize policies that advance LGBTQ+ rights.
Cubacub urged the administration to take concrete steps toward institutionalizing LGBTQ+ protections. This includes the passage of comprehensive anti-discrimination policies and the implementation of guidelines to ensure that all students, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, feel safe and supported.
”The lack of national policies leaves LGBTQ+ students at the mercy of individual schools, many of which do not prioritize inclusion,” she added.