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MANILA, Philippines – LGBTQIA+ students and teachers can now express themselves freely at their respective schools without fear of discrimination.
The Department of Education NCR Director Cabral reiterated the department’s “gender-responsive basic education policy” in a memorandum dated June 23. This policy aims to promote gender equality, equity, and sensitivity at the basic education level.
According to Cabral’s statement, the school’s head/administration is hereby authorized to allow students to attend initiated activities such as end-of-year rites wearing clothes that correspond to their gender identity, without prohibiting student gender expression.
Miss Trans Global 2020 Habijan has been sharing stories about schools that discriminate against LGBTQIA+ students, such as the case of three young people with long hair who were forced to cut it, and a cum laude graduate whose photo will reportedly not be displayed during ceremonies due to alleged “cross-dressing.”
In the Facebook post shared by Habijan “WE FINALLY WON THE BATTLE! Deped Philippines HEARD US!” expressing her appreciation to DepEd.
LGBTQIA+ KIDS, SIMULA SA ARAW NA ITO, MALAYA NA TAYONG MAGING TAYO SA PAARALAN! FROM THIS DAY ON, ALL TRANS AND NON-BINARY STUDENTS AND TEACHERS CAN EXPRESS IN THE GENDER THAT THEY IDENTIFY AS! NO LGBTQIA+ STUDENTS WILL BE DISCRIMINATED DUE TO THEIR IDENTITIES, ORIENTATION, AND EXPRESSION!” She also added.
As per Habijan, the release of the memorandum is a victory for the LGBTQIA+ community that experiences biased treatment.
The DepEd announcement was received positively on social media and was shared by many netizens who support the LGBTQIA+ community.