Amidst the progressiveness of today's community, our transgender siblings continue to fight for acceptance and inclusivity. Every year, the 20th of November is celebrated as Transgender Day of Remembrance to honor and commemorate the lives of transgender people who have fallen victims to violence and hate crimes. That being the case, much work remains to be done. In light of this, the CPSPA Student Council stands in asserting solidarity with the Trans Community in its fight against abuse and discrimination due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression.
The Philippines is no stranger to the cases of prejudice and hate crimes for the transgender community. The story of Jennifer Laude, a transgender woman who was murdered by US Marine Corps Joseph Scott Pemberton in 2014, is a clear affirmation of the necessity of the passage and enforcement of the SOGIE Equality Bill which will safeguard the basic human rights of people of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. Despite the heinous crime he committed to our fellow Filipinos, it can be recalled that Pemberton received an absolute pardon last year from the president himself, President Rodrigo Duterte. He was deported to the US immediately and was set to face court-martial. This action of President Duterte is a grave denial of justice for Jennifer, her family, and the LGBTQIA+ Community. The name of Ebeng Mayor, a transgender man, was added to the list of victims of hate crimes this year as he was brutally raped and murdered by three men in Quezon City. Meanwhile, trans students in various schools, universities, and colleges continue to suffer from stereotypical and discriminatory rules imposed by the institutions. Harassment in the workplace, public, and private spaces is widely experienced by transgender people. Without the initiative of our leaders to create protective legal systems that ensure their inclusive, safe, and meaningful participation in daily activities, the list of victims of hate crimes and violence among our trans siblings will grow much longer.
As Iskolars ng Bayan of the PUP CPSPA, we leave no space for homophobia, hate crimes, stereotyping, and discrimination based on SOGIE. We stand united with the LGBTQIA+ Community in their calls for equality, justice, and safe space. Today, letโs embrace our trans brothers and sisters and become allies for their rights and welfare. As we commemorate the lost lives of our trans siblings, let us urge the government to pass the SOGIE Equality Bill and implement it immediately. Undoubtedly, Transgender Day of Remembrance is much more than commemorating the victims of gender-based crimes and violence. It is actually about addressing the root causes of such crimes and making sure they never happen again in the generations to come. So long as the demands for safe and inclusive spaces are swept under the rug, the struggle continues. May every day be a day of remembrance and visibility. Let us make our collective fight with honor more colorful as we join and amplify the calls of the trans community!
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