‘LGBT students bullied, discriminated despite laws’

MANILA, Philippines - Students all over the Philippines are bullied and discriminated in school because of their sexual orientation and gender identity despite laws that provide them protection, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).

In the 68-page report “‘Just Let Us Be’: Discrimination Against LGBT Students in the Philippines” released yesterday, HRW documented the range of abuses against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students in secondary schools – from widespread bullying and harassment, discriminatory policies and practices and an absence of supportive resources that undermine the right to education under international law and put LGBT youth at risk.

“LGBT students in the Philippines are often the targets of ridicule and even violence. And, in many instances, teachers and administrators are participating in this mistreatment instead of speaking out against discrimination and creating classrooms where everybody can learn,” HRW’s LGBT rights program fellow Ryan Thoreson said.

LGBT students said existing protections are irregularly or incompletely implemented, and that secondary school policies and practices often facilitate discrimination and fail to provide the victims information and support.

The country’s lawmakers have recognized that bullying in secondary schools is indeed a problem and they have taken important steps to address it, according to HRW.

In 2013, the Congress passed an anti-bullying law while the Department of Education (DepEd) issued regulations that prohibit bullying based on one’s sexual orientation and gender identity.

During the 2016 presidential election campaign, then-mayor Rodrigo Duterte verbally condemned bullying and discrimination against LGBT people.

“President Duterte has spoken out against bullying and discrimination against LGBT people in the past, and he should do so now,” Thoreson said.

Yet, HRW’s research shows that LGBT students still encounter physical bullying, verbal harassment, sexual assault and cyberbullying in schools. Many students were also not aware of anti-bullying policies or did not know where to seek help if they were persistently bullied.

The hostility students face in school is often exacerbated by discriminatory policies and practices, according to the group.

“Schools in the Philippines impose gendered uniform and hair-length requirements without exceptions for students who do not identify as their sex assigned at birth. These inflexible requirements cause many LGBT students to feel uncomfortable or unwelcome at school, be turned away by school guards or skip class or drop out,” it said.

“The failure to pass an anti-discrimination bill puts LGBT kids at risk of discrimination and violence,” LGBT legislative advocacy group LAGABLAB Network’s Meggan Evangelista said.

“If lawmakers are serious about making schools safe for all students, they should stop delaying and pass anti-discrimination protections as soon as possible,” she added.

HRW said harassed students seeking help are hindered by the lack of information and resources pertaining to LGBT youth at the secondary school level.