philippines

We were sent to the guidance counselor.Slowly we were asked about how we feel.Were we girls? Boys? Who do we idolize?What do we do? Do we think it wasproper? … [Our] parents were summonedand told that their son is gay.Discrimination in the WorkplaceLBT women also face discrimination when applyingfor jobs, and are often denied employmentdespite being better educated and having eitherequal or better qualifications than other applicants.They are either told upfront the reasons fortheir being unsuccessful or are left to speculate onthe reasons for being denied a job.Del, transgender respondent:It’s like when I applied at that company,which was a call center; they told me,‘Sorry, we don’t take cross-dressers.’ So Iwas hurt, because it’s like, I came all thisway for nothing.Cindy, transgender respondent:I immediately applied… my resume wasreturned [with a note that] said, ‘Can youjust think this over first if you are reallyfor this job?’Discrimination in Healthcare andService InstitutionsThe transgender women interviewed for our studyreported being pointedly ignored when theysought health care. Some were refused service andreferrals, largely on the basis of religious bias.After being punched in the face following a pettyquarrel, Princess, a transgender woman, went tothe hospital, accompanied by a friend, to seekmedical care and was ignored. She said:...they [health workers] were laughingat us; [there was] blood all over my face,[but] they just ignored us. No one in thehospital approached us. But if they see astraight guy and girl, they will immediatelyassist them, but if they see an injuredtrans, they will just ignore you.Health-care workers passed judgment ontransgender women even if the women simplyaccompanied someone else to a medical facilityor volunteered to donate blood. Transgenderwoman Seanel recalled helping her mother visither doctor:I said, good evening, Doc. He looksshocked that I have a big voice … ‘Whatare you?’… he keeps on asking me, ‘Whyare you like that?’ In the first place, wewent there for my mom, [he was notsupposed] to criticize or interrogate mefor what I am… ‘Why are you like that?Do your mom and dad allow you to belike that?’Some lesbian respondents recalled being forced toundergo psychiatric analysis without prior consentduring their childhood or following a domesticdispute. Robyn, a lesbian, attempted suicidewhen she was fifteen after a failed relationship.Her mother took her on a trip to Manila withouttelling her the purpose:I didn’t know I was to meet the doctor, sofor me it was like I was betrayed... Only laterdid I learn I was to meet [the doctor, andshe] wasn’t that helpful [She said:] ‘Why didyou attempt suicide? Was it because of a guy?Because of a girl?’ … She said, ‘You can’taccept that you are a tomboy,’ that was herchoice of word. That time it felt very big, notfor someone young like me.20VIOLENCE: Through the Lens of Lesbians, Bisexual Women and Transgender People in Asia