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Tackling the Middle Side of Genders:

The Lived Experiences of the Queer


Community in Aurora National High
School

I. INTRODUCTION

I.I RATIONALE

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The researcher observed that the words "bakla", "bayot", "bading", "tomboy", and "tibo"
carry negative connotations. People use these terms as forms of insult degradation. Relating this
personal experience to the much wider context, it can be assumed that many young queer have
experienced this phenomenon.

In this day and age where people generally deem themselves to belong to the learned and
educated civilization, it is ironic that true gender equality is still far from achievement. Many
people in the Philippines still see gender as a binary construct: male and female. In effect, those
who are deviants from this binary are frowned upon by the majority in the society. This
extremely outdated notion can be traced back in the beginning of the Spanish colonial rule and
the introduction of Christianity. Precolonial texts report that effeminate men had the freedom of
expressing themselves. However, this changed when the Spanish colonizers arrived. Effeminate
men were ostracized and humiliated because their gender expression was against the Spanish's
religious beliefs ( Amistad 2022 ).
Numerous challenges and instances regarding the societal embrace of LGBT issues have
surfaced, including hate speech, discriminatory actions, and unfavorable perceptions of LGBT
individuals. Such mistreatment impedes the ability of young LGBT individuals to freely express
themselves and contributes to their struggles with mental well-being and self-acceptance. Back
in the 1920s, Henry Gerber established The Society for Human Rights in Chicago, marking the
inception of the first formal advocacy group in the United States dedicated to supporting gay
rights (Elliot 2015).The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) was founded in 1980 by activist Steve
Endean with the aim of advocating for equality for LGBT individuals and communities. It
quickly gained recognition as one of the most financially influential national civil rights
organizations for the gay and lesbian community in Washington D.C. Another group supporting
LGBT rights was the Independent Gay Forum (IGF), an online community of writers and
activists focused on advancing legal equality for gay and lesbian individuals.

In 1968, Frank Kameny coined the slogan "Gay is Good" to challenge social stigma and
promote the positive moral value of being gay. The Stonewall Riots of 1969 marked a pivotal
moment in the fight for LGBT rights, sparking widespread activism and paving the way for
progress. Subsequent promotions and parades aimed to raise awareness and support for LGBT
individuals, encouraging them to come out of hiding. Since then, the ethos of gay pride has
increasingly emphasized being openly and proudly LGBT in all aspects of life.

The reason why the researcher chose this study, among all the topics available under the
phenomenology, is because the researchers seek to somehow understand the lived experiences of
the Queer student. The researcher hoping that by understanding what the queer student are going
through in schools, society or public places, this study can be a basis for better policies, projects,
and programs for the benefit of the queer students overall welfare and prevent further gender
divide in the educational setting.

LGBTQ individuals frequently experience prejudice and discrimination in the US as a


result of their gender identification and/or sexual orientation. Teenagers in general and teenagers
of color in particular may encounter adverse effects from identifying as LGBTQ (GLSEN,
ASCA, ACSSW, & SSWAA, 2019).

Schools should be safe places for everyone. But in the Philippines, students who are
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) too often find that their schooling experience is
marred by bullying, discrimination, lack of access to LGBT-related information, and in some
cases, physical or sexual assault. These abuses can cause deep and lasting harm and curtail
students' right to education, protected under Philippine and intemational law.
The researcher also aims this paper to play a role in helping the society reach a better
understanding of what the Queer student is going through; to know what they have gone through
in expressing their gender; to determine how these experiences affect their interaction toward the
society as well as how they perceive the world. Also researcher believes that one of the things for
civilization to truly advance is for the society to accept individuals as they are. Eliminating the
indifferences and accepting that individuals have the freedom to choose who they want to be and
how to express themselves can give us a chance to get closer to equality.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

This research aims to explore and address the nuances and complexities of gender
identity and expression that fall outside the traditional binary framework of male and female. By
delving into this middle ground, this study seeks to understand the experiences, challenges, and
needs of individuals who identify as non-binary, gender queer, or otherwise gender non-
conforming. Through rigorous analysis and thoughtful examination, this research aims to
contribute to broader conversations on gender equality, inclusivity, and social justice, ultimately
striving for a more nuanced and empathetic understanding of gender diversity in society.

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to discover the living experiences of a


queer student in Aurora National High School (ANHS). This study seeks to understand the
experiences and challenges of individuals who identify as a queer. Researchers want to know if
they experiencing/facing discrimination or are they accepted by their surroundings for being a
queer person.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study aims to explore and understand the challenges, discrimination, and social
dynamics faced by members of the queer community within Aurora National High School. By
delving into the lived experiences of queer individuals in the school environment, the researchers
seeks to identify key areas where support can be strengthened to create a more inclusive and
supportive environment for all students, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Theory: Minority stress

 Posits that minority groups experience stress stemming from experiences of stigma and
discrimination, which in turn places them at risk for a number of negative physical and
mental health outcomes. LGBT people experience forms of minority stress shared with
other marginalized groups, such as discrimination, expectation of rejection, and
prejudice-related life events (Frost, Lehavot, & Meyer, 2015; Lewis, Derlega, Griffin, &
Krowinski, 2003; Meyer, 2003).

Theory: Intersectionality

 Developed by Ashlee Christoffersen(2017), explores how different aspects of social


identity (such as race, gender, class, sexuality, ability, etc.) intersect and interact, leading
to unique experiences of oppression and discrimination for individuals who hold multiple
marginalized identities. It highlights the interconnectedness of various systems of power
and how they shape people's lives.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

The Lived Experiences of the


Queer Community in ANHS

1.Age
Grade Level

2. Are the LGBTQ


correspondents (Queer) The researcher wants to know
experiencing a feeling of what the respondents feel
being left out, bullying and when being apprehended and
discrimination? 1. Data Gathering Devices questioned about their chosen
Sexual Orientation and how
3. What do they feel when I.I Structured, In-Person do they cope up with it.
these instances occur? Do they interview
confront those who bigoted I.2 Snow Ball Sampling
them? Or do they just keep it
to themselves?
4. If in an instance where they
just keep it to themselves, In
what way to the cope up with
it?

5. Are there implemented


programs in schools which
educate students about their
Sexual Orientation and
Gender Identification (SOGI)
and let them be aware of the
effects when one is being
apprehended?

Figure 1 shows the conceptual frame work of the study. The first column shows the input
of the process consists of the The Lived Experiences of the Queer Community in ANHS which
includes the respondents profile in terms of Age and Grade Level, their feelings when
approached with ill intentions, what they do in these instances, what are they’re coping
mechanisms, and program implementations in school to support LGBTQ students and discourage
discrimination.

The second column shows the process, the research will use Data Gathering devices such
as Structured Interview and Snowball Sampling.

The third column is the output of the study wherein the gathered data will be analyzed
and interpreted.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance our study lies in its exploration of the often marginalized and
underrepresented queer community within the educational setting of Aurora National High
School. By delving into the lived experiences of queer individuals, this research sheds light on
the challenges, discrimination, and unique perspectives faced by this community in a school
environment. Understanding these experiences can inform educational policies, interventions,
and support systems to create a more inclusive and safe space for queer students, contributing to
the broader discourse on diversity, equity, and inclusion in educational institutions. However in
general, research about this study plays a crucial role in the Visibility of the Community. through
this studies it will help increase the visibility and awareness of the students to the Queer
Community in Aurora National High School. Interaction of the Community can also help this
study identifies on what are the interactions of the students to the Queer Community. Mental
Health and Well-Being helps shed light to the mental health and their well-being of the Queer
Community in Aurora National High School.

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

This study focuses on tackling the Middle Side of Gender: the Live Experience of the
Queer Community in Aurora National High School. The data collection will be conducted to 15
selected students in Senior High of Aurora National High School who will represent the
population. This study will only cover situational instances like: Discrimination, if they are being
accepted, if they are still hiding their identity, and how do they cope up. Each participant is given
the same questions to answer during the face-to-face interview. The main source of data will be
the questions asked in the interview, which is prepared by the researchers.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Degradation: the act of treating someone or something poorly and without respect

Queer: is a word that describes sexual and gender identities other than straight and cisgender.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people may all identify with the word queer.

Deviant: different from what is considered to be normal or morally correct

Effeminate: having or showing qualities that are considered more suited to women than to men
ostracized: to exclude (someone) from a group

Inception: the time at which something begins

Pivotal: very important


Subsequent: happening or coming after something else

Nuance: a very small difference in color, tone, meaning, etc.

Posit: to suggest (something, such as an idea or theory) especially in order to start a discussion

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