In today's era of progress and diversity, the LGBTQIA+ community continues to struggle for acceptance and inclusion in society. Unfortunately, they still encounter pervasive inequality and discrimination. It is disheartening to see that the very spaces where they hope to find solace often become the breeding grounds for injustice. Schools and universities, which should be their sanctuaries, sometimes transform into haunting grounds filled with fear, apprehension, and unease.
A recent incident at Emilio Aguinaldo College - Cavite has sparked outrage on social media, shedding light on the unjust policies imposed on students who embrace their chosen gender identity. The frustrations of these students were echoed through a viral Facebook post, which exposed the College's discriminatory and unfair treatment. One student shared their experience of being subjected to community service as a punishment simply because of their gender identity, further exacerbating the already existing inequality.
Trans Community's Horrors Inside the Institution
In an exclusive interview with EAC's 4 students, who want to remain anonymous, they let us glimpse the horrors they are experiencing inside the College that promised them safety and security. Three are from Senior High School, and the other is from college. According to them, the school still needs to officially announce the said policy. When asked where they got the news about the community service, they said it was from some of their classmates, and they just found out about it recently. As per the students, the College began to implement the policy because the students chose to express their Gender Identity through their preferred haircut.
I don’t have an idea why big universities like EAC would ever implement such a policy that won’t even affect our learning capabilities. It's saddening for us na wala naman ginagawa na destructive or exploitative sa rules ng mga university. Our hair length shouldn’t be a problem since it isn’t the same as cheating or plagiarism.
One confesses that she did not experience the said community service but experienced multiple threats and harassment from the institution’s officials.
Personally, I haven't experienced doing community service, but I experienced multiple threats from the officials, specifically from OSA, and multiple harassment from them. I expect them (OSA) to protect someone like me, but it looks like they are the ones we fear the most. We do not feel safe around them.
The other also shared that she tried to open up with her adviser but to no avail; her adviser told her that “cases like mine would likely get no attention or notice from the management.”
Another student stated that there’s a lot of homophobias in EAC— that should not be normalized.
To be honest maraming homophobic sa EAC like ginagawa nilang katatawanan ang bawat members ng LGBTQ since im part of LGBTQ I suggest na magkaron man lang kami ng boses sa community lalo na sa mga school na papasukan namin dahil to be honest nakakadepress makaexperience ng bullying at gender identity.
These students do not deserve to be neglected and harassed, as they should feel safe, seen, and included in their community.
EAC Is Not a Safe Space Anymore
When asked how they felt about this policy, the students expressed their fear and doubts about the institution's safety and community.
It’s heartbreaking to know that this kind of school is still against trans women and other genders.
They think the school is not a safe place to execute "transitioning" and express themselves. One of them also shared that she experienced depression due to the school's unjust policy that, in reality, does not affect nor contribute to their learning but hinders them from letting out the best in them.
The policy regarding haircuts and that they associate trans women with men is really problematic. We study SOGIE in our Ethics subject, but most of these officials failed to embody the values. There was no empathy for the trans community, especially for those who are experiencing gender dysphoria. These officials do not know the product of their bigotry, and it may cost blood on their hands. Some policies just do not make sense and exclude anyone from a specific community. Trans women are women.
The other also aired her disappointment towards the College saying,
If sobrang oppressed kayo sa mga nageexpress lang ng identity, then you shouldn’t have advertised EAC as a school that provides security and safety.
We are asking for empathy. Our hair and expression seem nothing to you, but these hair/expressions are our life and confidence. We believe that when we feel and look good, we do good. I hope the heads and officials acknowledge that this is something big for us and we do not want to feel excluded.
Thus, they are asking the College's administration for empathy and open-mindedness for this matter. Their fight is for everyone's right of freedom.
As of reading, the Emilio Aguinaldo College-Cavite Office of Student Affairs released a statement through a Facebook post addressing Miss Caguiat's earlier post about the matter.
We firmly believe that education does not rely on a student's physical appearance, fashion choices, or how they express their gender identity. That being said, freedom of expression should not cost them their mental health and learning. Their collective voices must be heard!
