Researcher(s)
- Julia Micaela Dizon, Art, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- David Brinley, Art and Design, University of Delaware
Abstract
Transgender people, especially transgender Filipinos, lack a written recorded history and are underresearched in several sectors. This community is highly discriminated against and experiences less access to resources, services and opportunities in life, and has been the subject of unfair public opinion, despite the Philippines touting itself as a queer-friendly and accepting country. Several photobooks documenting transgender people have been published, making use of photography to capture transgender and gender non-conforming individuals in raw, unique lights that explore the community’s narratives and lived experiences. This research aims to address the lack of documentation of transgender Filipinos through interviews conducted in a photobook; demystifying the transgender experience, shedding light on societal struggles, and redefining success under transgender people’s terms. Research was conducted through one-on-one in-person interviews and photographs, through which participants underwent a vetting process and signed consent forms. Participants were from Metro Manila, aged 18 and above, and one participant was from Melbourne, Australia. Questions were open-ended and based on participants’ personal life, gender journey, access to healthcare, evaluations of Philippine and Australian policies, relationships, workplace protections and interactions. The research found that transgender Filipinos experience strained relationships with biological families, seeking support from romantic partners, and found family; access to transgender healthcare is challenging due to discrimination and lack of knowledge from providers; DIY HRT (do-it-yourself hormone replacement therapy) is a danger yet commonly practiced; religion’s influence on school institutions impacts transgender people in their childhood through bullying from adults, and forced confessions; transgender people explore their identity through the internet and television. These findings serve as an important record of modern transgender life mainly in the Philippines in the 21st century.