This work has not been peer reviewed by the University of the Philippines Rainbow Research Hub or its project members. The views expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Hub or its project members.
2026 Philippine Queer Studies Conference
POSTER PRESENTATION
Kamo, kami, kita: Lived experiences of queer and trans youth SOGIESC advocates in Dipolog City
Adrian Jay Alforque, Corinna Hope Marañan, Albertine June Din, Rizza Paz Onganiza, Shem Lord Rosales, and John Robert Villa
In the Philippines, the youth face a myriad of human rights issues – some of them are made more vulnerable due to certain aspects of their identities, such as their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression (SOGIE). For youth perceived to be and/or identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ), these threats are increased due to widely held heteronormative views that reinforce the violence and discrimination against them. The Commission on Human Rights reported in 2019 that LGBTQ children experience domestic violence, discriminatory school policies, bullying and harassment, and a lack of access to health services. In the local context, the lived experiences of young Dipolognons have been found to mirror the national status quo. The Dipag Rainbow Collective initiated “Tingog LGBTQ,” a legal helpline that serves to provide a safe space to report and talk about their experiences with SOGIE-based issues, and spearheaded a community project that was open for all youth leaders of the City of Dipolog and Province of Zamboanga del Norte. Through pakikipagkwentuhan and ginabayang talakayan sessions, the project pointed towards the lack of youth awareness on SOGIE inclusivity and the limited and non-inclusive opportunities for youth leadership and gender advocacy. Some of the insights revealed that the majority of the youth often lack awareness of matters regarding SOGIESC and how kamo (you), kami (us), and kita (we) all have our own SOGIESC – leading to misinformation and stigma. Limited, and often non-inclusive, opportunities for individual capacity-building (e.g., leadership and other skills enhancement) and community development are also among the prevalent concerns raised. For these reasons, advocating for SOGIE-inclusivity and LGBTQ-affirmation remains a struggle despite existing interventions. In an effort to contribute to Filipino LGBTQ scholarship, especially in the context of community-based advocacy and activism, this presentation will highlight the lived experiences of queer and trans youth SOGIESC Advocates in Dipolog City.