The Philippine Online Chronicles

In a time when LGBT topics were at their hottest (though it is still hot today), the University of the Philippines Babaylan sowed glorious victories for three consecutive years. In 1995, Perci Cendaña won as councilor, then vice chair next year, and finally as chair in academic year '97-'98. Perci carries the history of being the first ever openly gay student to run and to win as University Student Council Chair. In 2002, Carmen Hinayon, a transgender, won a seat as councilor.

Another transgender sister, Heart Diño, is running for a USC position this year, carrying the Babaylan banner and advocating gender equality.

"Heart’s bid to become a councilor is a small but a very important part of our campaign against discrimination," Michael Singson, the current Punong Babaylan stated. “Our founding members started it, and we are just igniting it to burn more brightly today.”

Discrimination still exists even in UP. “There are several anecdotal accounts of bullying here in the campus against LGBT students, especially against those who are 'more obviously' gay or lesbian. And sadly, hindi lang kapwa estudyante ang gumagawa nito,” Michael said.

“Babaylan wants to bring this good fight to a better venue which is the USC, like what we did in the past. UP may have achieved parcels of success in terms of gender equality but we still have a long way to go. Hindi pa tapos ang laban.” He added that Heart’s bid for the councillorship also aims to consolidate the LGBT/LGBT-supportive students, “a vote for Heart is a vote for gender equality and non-discrimination. And the votes Heart will get is indicative of how many are willing to be part of our cause.”

But how different this election is compared to the campaigns they did before?

While new venues have been created where many young LGBTs may voice their freedoms, organizing solidly has become more difficult. In Perci’s essay entitled Reflections on the Continuing Challenge of the LGBT Organizing in the Campus and Beyond[i], he states that activism among the youth “has waned significantly through the years.” And that many observed that this may be “brought about by technology and the fast-paced youth culture.” The creation of new virtual and physical venues has reduced “the supposed need to come together in the mold of an organization” like UP Babaylan.

The reason why it is difficult to organize young LGBTs today (as Perci stated in the essay) may spell the difference between Babaylan’s campaign before and now. Apathy (though the term is debatable) may have taken a new form. Or even activism may have taken a new form. And while we adjust to changes in our days, Babaylan sees a greater need to consolidated the young LGBT passion.

“Discrimination in the campus, even in our society, has transformed into something scarier,” Michael said. “It has become silent, more contemplated. And since we are in the era of the virtual space, discrimination silently flourishes in this safe place where no one can challenge.” The current Punong Babaylan said that there are lots of hate sites against LGBTs, and the discriminatory remarks are even darker than the usual cries against LGBTs.

“The impression that society today, or even UP itself, is less discriminating is something that we have to really evaluate. While it is true that we have achieved victories in our work against discrimination, it is also true that homophobia has evolved to adapt in this new world too. Kaya mahalaga pa rin sa amin na magkaroon ng representasyon sa USC.”

[i] Pamana ni Larry. UP Babaylan’s 15^th Anniversary Literary Folio. 2007.

Photo courtesy of  UP Babaylan. Some rights reserved.