This work has not been peer reviewed by the University of the Philippines Rainbow Research Hub or its project members.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
Coming out abroad: An autoethnographic journey of a Filipino transmasculine lesbian scholar in Japan
Gio L. Miole, Ph.D.
Scholarship on Filipino transmasculine lesbians remains scarce, especially within the lens of queer migration studies. This autoethnography traces the lived experiences of Gio (he/they), a Filipino transmasculine lesbian scholar, navigating identity and self-expression while living in Tokyo, Japan and going back and forth in Manila, Philippines. Using narrative inquiry, the study unpacks the complexities of coming out in a transnational context, drawing contrasts between the sociopolitical landscapes of the Philippines and Japan. While both countries lack marriage equality, Japan’s relatively enabling environment provided the author with space to negotiate authenticity, belonging, and visibility. By centering personal narrative as both data and analysis, this work contributes to broader conversations on how cultural context shapes queer migration, particularly for Filipino transmasculine lesbians. It further underscores the significance of autoethnography in illuminating intimate yet political dimensions of queer lives across borders.