A year of Philippine LGBTIQ+ milestones
The situation of Philippine LGBTIQ+ community has experienced heartening progress, while still facing challenges
Daily TribuneThe situation of Philippine LGBTIQ+ community has experienced heartening progress, while still facing challenges
Boxer Hergie Bacyadan became the first transgender Filipino to compete at the Olympics.
Photograph courtesy of IG/Hergie Bacyadan
Nesthy Petecio is the first out LGBTIQ+ athlete from the Philippines to win two Olympic medals.
Photograph courtesy of fb.com/Nesthy Petecio
Jeff Cagandahan's 'Ang Aking Espesyal na Regalo,' the first Filipino children’s book on intersexuality.
Photograph courtesy of Intersex Asia
Third Bahaghari Awards honored individuals, companies and groups for their contributions to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belongingness.
Photograph courtesy of Philippine Financial and Inter-Industry Pride
Filmmaker Zig Dulay is one of the TOYM awardees.
Photograph courtesy of GMA Network
Nectar Nightclub became a hub for queer entertainment and expressions.
Photograph courtesy of Nectar Nightclub
In 2024, the situation of LGBTIQ+ communities in the world remains to be a complex mix of progress and setbacks. In many Western nations, LGBTQ+ rights have continued to advance, with more countries legalizing same-sex marriage, improving anti-discrimination laws, and increasing representation in politics and media. In the Philippines, LGBTIQ+ situation in 2024 has experienced progress, while still facing challenges. SOGIESC Equality Bill has still not been signed, but ordinances penalizing discrimination based on gender were in development in several towns and cities.
This is the second part of the rundown of notable Philippine LGBTIQ+ events and developments in 2024, which is part of my ongoing project of writing a timeline of Philippine LGBTIQ+ history. (Read the first part at https://tinyurl.com/3fsanhe3)
Twenty-nine-year-old Kalinga boxer Hergie Bacyadan is the first out transgender Filipino to compete at the Olympics. Despite being a transgender man, he competed in the women’s 75-kilogram division on his Olympic debut in Paris. He and American runner Nikki Hiltz are the first trans persons to compete at the Olympics.
KonsultaMD became the first telehealth app in the Philippines to offer Inclusive Care feature for LGBTIQ+ persons, promising safe space with doctors trained in SOGIESC, gender sensitivity, motivational counseling and understanding and addressing specific health needs of the community. The program was in partnership with the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the USAID’s Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control Project.
The third season of Drag Race Philippines premiered on 7 August. Produced by World of Wonder, this season of the Philippine version of the hugely popular RuPaul’s Drag Race aired on HBO Go in Philippines and on WOW Presents Plus internationally. It featured 11 contestants — Maxie, Khianna, Angel, Tita Baby, Zymba Ding, Myx Chanel, Popstar Bench, John Fedellaga, J Quinn, Yudipota and Versex. During the finale on 9 October, Maxie was declared the winner, while Khianna was the runner-up. Versex was named Miss Congeniality.
Boxer Nesthy Petecio won a bronze medal in the women’s 57-kilogram boxing of the 2024 Paris Olympics, becoming the first out LGBTIQ+ athlete from the Philippines to win two Olympic medals. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics silver medalist is also the first Filipino to win two Olympic medals in boxing, the first Filipino to win an Olympic medal in women’s boxing and the fourth Filipino to win two Olympic medals.
The Anti-Discrimination Ordinance for People of Diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, authored by councilor Mae Almazan, was passed in the municipality of Dolores in Eastern Samar. It aims to provide protection for LGBTIQ+ people against gender-based discrimination and violence.
The first Filipino children’s book on intersexuality was published and released. Published by Intersex Philippines, Ang Aking Espesyal na Regalo (My Special Gift) by Jeff Cagandahan, with illustrations by Adrian J. and Gumi F., tells the story of how an intersex child embraces and celebrates their identity and sex characteristics. The author and illustrators are also involved of the storybook Interconnected, published by Intersex Asia in Taiwan on 11 July 2024.
Tomboy Philippines, the first national beauty pageant for butch lesbians and transgender men, held its grand coronation event on 19 October at the Music Museum in San Juan City. Spearheaded by Chit Reyes and Cowee Santos, it was launched on 14 September, presenting 30 candidates. Gellie Pablo from Navotas won the title. The runners-up were Phao Faraon from Malabon City (first); Armi de Leon from Morong, Rizal (second); Keith Martin from General Santos City (third); and JC Lapitan from Batangas City, Batangas (fourth).
Third Bahaghari Awards, organized by the Philippine Financial and Inter-Industry Pride (PFIP), recognized several individuals, companies and groups for their contributions to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belongingness in the workplace at the awarding ceremony in Taguig City. Vice Ganda, IloIlo City Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs, Quezon City’s Right to Care Card Team (Quezon City Gender and Development Council and MullenLowe TREYNA) were hailed as Bahaghari Champions. Also honored were EnGendeRights (Pride Advocacy of the Year), Vice Ganda (PFIP’s Choice for LGBTQ+ Role Model of the Year), senator Risa Hontiveros (PFIP’s Choice for Ally of the Year), Accenture in the Philippines (Company of the Year), IBM EAGLE ASEAN and Korea Business Resource Group (Pride Network of the Year), Coy Macaspac-Ordonez of Northern Trust (Executive Ally of the Year), and Tere Claudio of Sun Life Global Solutions (LGBTQ+ Leader of the Year).
The Civil Service Commission has officially updated its dress code, allowing government employees to dress in accordance to their gender identity and expression. The progressive development aligns with PFIP’s LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the Workplace Playbook, which highlights the importance of gender-inclusive dress codes in creating safe, supportive spaces. This policy applies to all government offices, local units, and state universities.
The fifth Ripple Awards honored three advocates — Marvi Rebueno-Trudeau, who received the Global Advocate Award, “for her outstanding work in the Philippines that gained global attention and sharpen focus on innovative testing methods and combination prevention;” Ian Felix Alquiros, who received the Advocate of the Year Award, for making “significant strides in the HIV/AIDS advocacy landscape, transcending arts to amplify the cause and many more;” and Toni Gee Fernandez, who received the Community Advocate Award, for demonstrating “exceptional dedication to communities, building safe spaces for PLHIVs, LGBTQIA+, and Mindanaoans, inspiring more communities to do the same.” The awarding ceremony was held during Love Gala: Eternal Elegance — A Night of Timeless Love, a charity event in observance of World AIDS Day, on 3 December 2024 in Taguig City.
Organized by LoveYourself PH, an organization focused on HIV/AIDS awareness and LGBTIQ+ health, the Ripple Awards recognize individuals “whose unwavering commitment and exceptional contributions have significantly advanced the HIV/AIDS advocacy.”
LGBTIQ+ artists — filmmaker Zig Dulay and photographer, multimedia artist, and environmental engineer Jose Gabriel “Gab” Mejia — were among the 2024 awardees of The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM), which recognizes Filipinos between 18 and 40 years old “who have made exceptional contributions to their respective fields and communities.” Also, beauty queen and LGBTIQ+ ally Pia Wurtzbach was also honored in the field of humanitarian service and social work.
Nectar Nightclub, an LGBTIQ-friendly bar at The Fort Strip, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, closed down. It opened in October 2016, and upgraded in September 2019, serving as a safe space and venue for queer expressions. It was also influential in the growth of drag in the Philippines.