This work has not been peer reviewed by the University of the Philippines Rainbow Research Hub or its project members.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
Is love dead?; How self-identified queer high school students perceive romance and establish romantic relationships
Julianne Marie R. Awayan, Nathan Herminio G. Lucero, and Janina Theresa D. Salayo
This study addresses the gaps in current adolescent romantic research, which fails to consider the unique perspectives of queer youth in romantic relationships (Macapagal et al., 2015). It explores how self-identified queer high school students at Miriam College Nuvali perceive and establish romantic relationships within a heteronormative society. Utilizing a qualitative phenomenological approach, data was collected through an open-ended survey questionnaire involving 19 grade 9 to 12 purposively sampled respondents and focus group discussions (FGDs) with 9 of the 19 respondents. Thematic analysis revealed that queer adolescents navigate romance through societal expectations, personal identity, social acceptance, and parental influence. A highlight among these is romantic pessimism, a skepticism towards romantic opportunities and relationship functioning. Respondents highlighted the need to verify a partner’s sexuality, consider public safety, and navigate parental approval, challenges rarely faced by heterosexual individuals. Findings also revealed friendship as a foundation for romance, a “pursuers vs. pursued” dynamic that dictates the relationship, and the impact of heteronormative pressures on queer relationships. Contrary to the assumption of the research, the study also found evidence of resilience towards societal rejection. In line with Queer Theory’s claim that LGBTQ+ people face systemic disadvantages, this study emphasizes the importance of inclusive conversations about queer romance and suggests further study on queer dating culture, other non-heterosexual perspectives, and mixed-method approaches to further understanding the complexities of queer adolescent relationships