PUP Pride 2025 urges SOGIESC Bill passage, talks gender and economic intersectionality

Struggles amid the pursuit of sensitivity, diversity, and equality of various identities encapsulate the in-depth discussions of this year’s PUP Pride, themed “Tuklas: Paglayag sa Agos ng Kalayaan” last March 26 and 27, at PUP Accenture Room. 

Organized by PUP KASARIANLAN and the university’s Gender and Development Office (GADO), the discussions are part of the week-long celebration of diverse narratives and protests for gender equality. 

Photos from PUP KASARIANLAN & Google Images

Diving Deeper into Challenges

Themed “Usap Tayo,” Day 1 kicked off with comprehensive talks on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC), Discrimination, Exploitation, Marginalization, Oppression, and Subordination (DEMOS), and HIV/AIDS awareness.

“Bakit ba natin [inaaral] itong SOGIESC? For sensitivity. Para ma-raise natin ang sensitivity dahil nalalaman natin ang pagkakaiba-iba ng diversity ng mga tao. By being sensitive, we’re also being inclusive,” Ms. Eisen Maraj, a public administration student in Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Manila and a transgender rights advocate, said on the importance of understanding SOGIESC.

Sexual Orientation refers to whom a person is emotionally, romantically, and sexually attracted to. Gender Identity, on the other hand, is how a person internally and subjectively identifies and sees themselves. Meanwhile, Gender Expression pertains to how a person outwardly presents themselves through behavior, clothing, and appearance. 

Lastly, Sex Characteristics are the physical attributes associated with biological sex, such as reproductive organs, chromosomes, and hormonal levels. SOGIESC is an inclusive term advocating for sexuality, gender, and human rights as a more accurate, universal, and effective means of promoting equality. 

Maraj pointed out that every individual has their own SOGIESC. Everyone has the right to define and express it, and it is never our place to 'out' people. 

In the ongoing fight to pass the SOGIE Equality Bill, Maraj called for accountability from government officials who continue to prohibit its passage.

Mx. Art, a student activist in PUP Manila and a loud advocate for SOGIESC rights, also shared similar arguments in favor of passing the bill as he discussed DEMOS.  

“Just like what Sotto said in the Equality Bill, ‘Why not Homo Sapiens?’ This is one example kung gaano talamak ang oppression sa Pilipinas,” Mx. Art stated.

Furthermore, he highlighted that the marginalization experienced by the queer community can be associated with the delay in the passage of the SOGIE Bill and the issue of Marriage Equality passage in other countries, yet remains a closed and unprogressive debate in the Philippines.

In line with this, Mx. Jap Ignacio, Executive Director at Babaylanes, an LGBTQIA+ non-profit organization in Quezon City, expounded on pushing for the SOGIE Bill to combat discrimination. They stressed that SOGIESC is not only limited to the LGBTQIA+ community but also applies to heterosexual or “straight” individuals.

Ignacio also shared the advocacy of prohibiting any form of discrimination in public places, emphasizing the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination (CAD) Bill, which is brought by the intersectionality of issues. 

“Violations of LGBTQI+ people ay bawal naman talaga under our laws. But what happened specifically for Jennifer Laude, mas nabawasan ang penalty for the perpetrator. When in fact, dapat nga mas lumala kasi it was done with stigma against her,” Ignacio added.

Ms. Zoe Black of LoveYourselfPh, on the other hand, shedded light on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in the country, dismantling the stigma that only gay people are at risk of contracting HIV. 

She clarified that HIV can be transmitted through humans regardless of sex, and AIDS is a collection of diseases caused by the weakening of the immune system due to HIV.

She also debunked various misconceptions regarding ways to acquire HIV, which include through swimming, sharing utensils, and sitting on the toilet. 

“Bodily fluids like blood, vaginal fluid, semen, and breast milk ay isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit ito napapasa sa ibang tao,” Black explained on the transmission of fluids as a vessel for disease.

Diving Deeper into Experiences

On the second day, “Diversity Dialogues” sparked conversations on its segments “Gaya sa Pelikula: Queer Representation in Film,” “Grey Skies, Prism Desires: In Light of the Climate Crisis,” and “SAGWAN: A Panel Talk on Navigating Adulthood.”

Independent theatre and film actor Serena Magiliw shared her own experiences, featuring the joys and challenges of being a transwoman actor. 

She said that her happiness in being an actor stemmed from the opportunity to create a space to share something that was once her own space, creating an identity she aspired to have as a child. 

Meanwhile, she also mentioned that the lack of transgender character roles in theatre and films was her biggest challenge.

“Bilang aktor, malaking suliranin na wala gaanong naisusulat na mga tauhang trans. Hindi rin naman madalas na ma-cast ang isang trans actor sa isang cis role. Pahirapan tuloy na gawing sustainable ang ganitong propesyon dahil kakaunti lamang ang nalilikhang trabaho,” Magiliw said.

“Susundan ito ng kung mayr’on mang maibigay na proyekto, maraming kailangang bakahin na atrasadong pananaw mula sa mga manunulat, direktor, producer, o kapwa man aktor tulad ng microaggression, stereotyping, misrepresentation, at iba pa,” she added.

Trans characters being played by trans actors rather than cisgenders are important, as she believes that this is the real representation of the trans community—mirroring their lived narratives. 

She also urged writers to conduct extensive research before writing transgender-centered stories and to write what they only know. 

“Kung ikaw ay interesado magkwento ng trans narrative pero hindi ka trans, please do your research. Huwag mong itatanong sa trans, hindi kami Wikipedia. Hindi kami libro para i-dissect. We don’t owe anyone an explanation […] Kung puro assumptions lang ‘yan, please don't write about it,” she said. 

Weaponizing self-expression that impacts the climate crisis is one of the issues raised by John Carl Cabangon, a climate justice activist and sociology student in PUP Manila.  

Cabangon said that major corporations weaponized and profiteered from pride marches and the fashion industry, harming our environment.

“Wine-weaponize ang self-expression natin. Makikita natin ‘yan tuwing pride month, sa halos lahat ng fast fashion brands. The way we express ourselves, hindi dahil because of them (corporations). Kailangan natin maging critical kung paano natin sila ica-call out,” he stated. 

He stressed that what we are experiencing in our environment is no longer considered a natural disaster but rather a climate crisis, as anthropogenic or man-made climate change is driven by capitalist industries and exacerbated by the government through funding. 

Diving into Intersectionality of Gender, Art, and Economy

Students delved into a panel talk with Mx. Rum Corvera, a Cavite-based multidisciplinary visual artist, Mx. Lean Porquia, a student leader and labor movement activist, and Rev. Joseph San Jose, an ordained and licensed pastor of Metropolitan Community Church (MCC), about gender inequality, art industry, identities, and values. 

They are asked how the values of the Filipino queer are navigated in the workforce, religions, identities, and other factors in a culture of discrimination.  

According to Corvera, “You will be surprised na mayroon pa ring discrimination sa queer artist and queer art itself. ‘Pag queer artists, ‘ayaw kong kolektahin yan, bakla yan.’ That was one of my struggles when I was starting, they undervalued my art because I'm gay. With my confidence and identity, I became who I am right now. Nagkaroon ako ng prominence sa industry. It's still a work in progress, but there is progress.” 

Rev. San Jose then emphasized the importance of understanding the Filipino queer values, underscoring the impact of trauma. 

“May kinalaman ‘yan sa trauma na hindi napo-proseso. Be aware of your own shadow, because once you are aware that you have this trauma or tendency, then there is a way for us to help or manage our own and seek your friends or community,” he said. 

On gender inequality experienced by women in the workforce, Porquia tackled the interconnection of women’s experiences and the labor struggle. 

“Karamihan sa manggagawang kababaihan natin, hindi nila binibilang ang informal workers, mga magsasaka, mga street vendors. Kahit ang domestic work ay dapat itinuturing na trabaho. Ang trabaho ng nanay ay trabaho. [...] Kung walang kababaihan, walang labor force,” he stated. 

The LGBTQIA+ community and other marginalized groups have long been advocating for equal rights and representation. With the ongoing fight for the passage of SOGIESC Equality Bill, along with other relevant legislations that remain pending in the Philippines, PUP Pride 2025 Day 1 and 2 sought to catalyze diverse narratives and amplify the importance of achieving equality for all individuals. 

While it is important to have individual and community initiatives, the event imparted a powerful message: the demand for accountability from those in powerful positions must be upheld for us to truly achieve equal opportunity and lasting solidarity.

Article: Jen Aaliyah Esquivel

Graphics: Ronalyn Hermosa