Gender discrimination makes BulSUans continue to demand safe space for all
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐥𝐒𝐔𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥
By: Sophia Arellano
By: Sophia Arellano
Standing for rights kindles the flames of others' courage
Bulacan State University (BulSU) is facing a concerning series of gender discrimination incidents, prompting outcry and demands for immediate action. LGBTQIA+ students and visitors associated with BulSU have reported instances of discrimination within the institution, leading to a strong condemnation from various organizations, including BulSU Bahaghari, BulSU SG Gender Equity and Sensitivity Committee, and BulSU Students' Rights and Welfare (SRW).
Despite the passage of the Magna Carta of Students (MCOS) over a year ago, aimed at safeguarding the rights of BulSU students, BulSUans exclaimed that these rights are not being adequately upheld. Thus, there have been a mounting call for a more strict implementation of the Magna Carta.
The timing of these incidents is particularly distressing. These occurred during September, the month designated as SRW month, raising questions about BulSU's commitment to preserving the well-being and rights of LGBTQIA+ students.
In a sequence of events, starting with a case on September 11, a visiting trans woman was publicly addressed as "Sir" by a security guard at the Admin Building in Flores Hall. This situation was followed by a similar incident on September 29, where another trans woman was referred to as "Sir" by a security guard at Gate 1, accompanied by mockery.
On September 27, organizations focused on addressing these issues received an additional report of discrimination which involved a trans woman student from the College of Arts and Letters (CAL). The student was stopped from entering a restroom designated for women in the College of Fine Arts (CAFA), and subjected to questioning about her presence by a housekeeper.
Furthermore, a third-year Bachelor of Science in Food Technology student shared her distressing experience in a now deleted Facebook post. She revealed that a teacher insisted on addressing her as 'mister' despite her repeated assertions of her gender identity. The teacher justified this choice by referencing genitalia, further fueling indignation and direct misgendering.
These deeply concerning incidents not only involve immediate acts of discrimination but also extend to various aspects of LGBTQIA+ students' rights. This includes their freedom to express themselves through clothing and their choice of restroom facilities. What is deeply troubling is that both students, teaching, and non-teaching staff have been implicated in these acts.
"Para sa akin, ang paggarantiya na mayroong safe space ang university ang parang kakampi namin. Kasi bilang kabahagi ng community, alam namin na may kakampi kami para sa laban namin sa buhay, na kaya namin humarap sa maraming tao nang bukas at may ngiti na maging malaya," Angel, an open-bisexual student from the College of Science (CS) shares. She also said that having the luxury of a safe space is the responsibility to counter-check their own actions towards others and the university-wide community.
On the other hand, Xiaylla, an open ally of the LGBTQIA+ community from College of Education (CoED), has the same perspective regarding the issue. As per her, it is important for the BulSUans to build a safe space. Teaching personnel, according to her, should be responsible not only in shaping the degree of the students but in making them comfortable with themselves and uplifting their self-esteem because the students might find it hard to bring back the comfort once damaged.
It's imperative to stress that the MCOS, in Article II of Magna Carta, firmly underscores the right to a discrimination-free and gender-sensitive university. In particular, Section 13 emphasizes the freedom for students to dress in alignment with their self-identification.
The ongoing struggle against gender discrimination at BulSU highlights the collective need to ensure the rights and dignity of every member of the LGBTQIA+ community within the institution are respected and upheld.
"Bilang isang social work student, super importante sakin na magkaroon ng safe space sa university para naman hindi matakot yung mga students na gawin at ipakita 'yong totoong sila at 'yong kakayahan nila. Malaya sila na ipahayag yung sarili nila, yung nararamdaman nila kung may space safe silang nararamdaman," Jona, a student from the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy said.
She emphasizes that she favors the Magna Carta and its implementation can help all the BulSUans to showcase their wit and talent based on their preferred sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics.
Bulacan State University (BulSU) is facing a concerning series of gender discrimination incidents, prompting outcry and demands for immediate action. LGBTQIA+ students and visitors associated with BulSU have reported instances of discrimination within the institution, leading to a strong condemnation from various organizations, including BulSU Bahaghari, BulSU SG Gender Equity and Sensitivity Committee, and BulSU Students' Rights and Welfare (SRW).
Despite the passage of the Magna Carta of Students (MCOS) over a year ago, aimed at safeguarding the rights of BulSU students, BulSUans exclaimed that these rights are not being adequately upheld. Thus, there have been a mounting call for a more strict implementation of the Magna Carta.
The timing of these incidents is particularly distressing. These occurred during September, the month designated as SRW month, raising questions about BulSU's commitment to preserving the well-being and rights of LGBTQIA+ students.
In a sequence of events, starting with a case on September 11, a visiting trans woman was publicly addressed as "Sir" by a security guard at the Admin Building in Flores Hall. This situation was followed by a similar incident on September 29, where another trans woman was referred to as "Sir" by a security guard at Gate 1, accompanied by mockery.
On September 27, organizations focused on addressing these issues received an additional report of discrimination which involved a trans woman student from the College of Arts and Letters (CAL). The student was stopped from entering a restroom designated for women in the College of Fine Arts (CAFA), and subjected to questioning about her presence by a housekeeper.
Furthermore, a third-year Bachelor of Science in Food Technology student shared her distressing experience in a now deleted Facebook post. She revealed that a teacher insisted on addressing her as 'mister' despite her repeated assertions of her gender identity. The teacher justified this choice by referencing genitalia, further fueling indignation and direct misgendering.
These deeply concerning incidents not only involve immediate acts of discrimination but also extend to various aspects of LGBTQIA+ students' rights. This includes their freedom to express themselves through clothing and their choice of restroom facilities. What is deeply troubling is that both students, teaching, and non-teaching staff have been implicated in these acts.
"Para sa akin, ang paggarantiya na mayroong safe space ang university ang parang kakampi namin. Kasi bilang kabahagi ng community, alam namin na may kakampi kami para sa laban namin sa buhay, na kaya namin humarap sa maraming tao nang bukas at may ngiti na maging malaya," Angel, an open-bisexual student from the College of Science (CS) shares. She also said that having the luxury of a safe space is the responsibility to counter-check their own actions towards others and the university-wide community.
On the other hand, Xiaylla, an open ally of the LGBTQIA+ community from College of Education (CoED), has the same perspective regarding the issue. As per her, it is important for the BulSUans to build a safe space. Teaching personnel, according to her, should be responsible not only in shaping the degree of the students but in making them comfortable with themselves and uplifting their self-esteem because the students might find it hard to bring back the comfort once damaged.
It's imperative to stress that the MCOS, in Article II of Magna Carta, firmly underscores the right to a discrimination-free and gender-sensitive university. In particular, Section 13 emphasizes the freedom for students to dress in alignment with their self-identification.
The ongoing struggle against gender discrimination at BulSU highlights the collective need to ensure the rights and dignity of every member of the LGBTQIA+ community within the institution are respected and upheld.
"Bilang isang social work student, super importante sakin na magkaroon ng safe space sa university para naman hindi matakot yung mga students na gawin at ipakita 'yong totoong sila at 'yong kakayahan nila. Malaya sila na ipahayag yung sarili nila, yung nararamdaman nila kung may space safe silang nararamdaman," Jona, a student from the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy said.
She emphasizes that she favors the Magna Carta and its implementation can help all the BulSUans to showcase their wit and talent based on their preferred sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics.
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