CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Some Mindanao-based groups of LGBTQ people and school-based organizations called on the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) here to resolve an issue on alleged gender discrimination involving a student.
The university found itself dragged in a controversy following a video showing the student, who is a member of the LGBTQ community, a subject of alleged gender discrimination. The video went viral.
In a joint statement released on Friday, May 26, the groups urged the officials of the university and concerned offices to take action in resolving gender issues by providing adequate training and awareness.
"It is a well settled mandate from the Commission on Higher Education and Department of Education to foster a learning environment for all students that is inclusive and a safe space for everyone," the statement said.
"Schools’ responsibility is to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for all students, regardless of their gender identity or expression," the statement added.
Among the groups that joined the call were Mindanao Pride Inc., Initiatives and Movement for Gender Liberation Against Discrimination (IMGLAD), Amnesty International Region 10-A, USTP Scholars Society, and USTP Balangaw.
In a video posted by the student on Facebook two days ago, she was shocked after a lady security personnel of the school told her that even if she called herself a transwoman, her "name was still a male," explaining that they are not allowed to wear female clothes, sandals, or whole dresses.
The student questioned the personnel, saying that other security staff allowed her to enter the school wearing female clothes. But the lady personnel explained that the other personnel were new.
The student told the Manila Bulletin in a text message that during the incident, she was later on allowed by the security personnel to enter the school since there was an event.
This incident, the concerned groups said, undermined the principles they hold and contradicted any school’s commitment to providing an equitable education to all students, emphasizing that gender discrimination has no room within the school community.
The groups did not single out USTP, as they were also calling out other schools and educational institutions to further strengthen the implementation of gender and development policy to address gender issues.
Lawyer Dionel Albina, USTP chancellor, said the university will conduct an investigation on the matter "in the spirit of fairness and due process."
""(We) will assure the (LGBTQ) community that USTP CDO has always protected the inherent rights of the LGBTQ community in our university policy and practices," said Albina, adding that he will meet with the top leadership on Saturday, May 27, to discuss the specific issues.
He said the school will release its official statement after the conduct of the investigation.
On May 15 this year, city Mayor Rolando Uy issued Executive Order No. 106-2023 which created the Cagayan de Oro City LGBTQ+ Federation that will assist in promoting equality and diversity in the city.
The order required all barangays to organize their respective LGBTQ+ organizations.