Gender expression refers to the way that a person presents their gender to the world. How a person dresses can be a form of gender expression, but it can also encompass other aspects of appearance and behavior including hairstyles, body features, interests, body language, voice, pronouns, and mannerisms. (Cherry, 2021). While many people express themselves in ways that are consistent with sex and gender stereotypes, others may opt for expressions that deviate from what people may anticipate of their gender. Your sense of self and sense of identity can be significantly influenced by the way your gender is expressed through your appearance, clothing, and behavior. But many people are unable to express themselves in accordance with their gender identity because of prejudice, unfavorable reactions, and even the threat of violence. A person's sense of self, as well as their mental health and general well-being, may be impacted by this. The expression of your gender through the way you behave and dress is an important part of your self-identity, and is central to your mental health and wellbeing. Many transgender people hide their gender expression in public for fear of negative reactions, violence or discrimination.
In the Philippines, An official of the Department of Education (DepEd) reminded schools to respect students’ gender expression and allow them to attend graduation rites and other activities wearing clothes aligned with their gender identity. Many members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Transsexual, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/Allies, Nonbinary/Genderqueer + (LGBTQIA+) community have suffered from the wrath of society in this cruel world. For being different and unfamiliar, these people get treated in ways that become so inhumane that it scars someone’s heart so badly. (Paguirigan, 2022). They thus fail to see that, despite having a clear view and a grasp of what could be going on in another person's head, they are not at all unique from the rest of humanity. Even with the awareness that the Philippines is home to a vibrant culture that has been developed through the years, one's actions or modes of expression may still be threatened by disapproval. DE GUZMAN(2022) stated that the Philippines is known to be one of the most LGBT-friendly countries in Asia, despite its deeply entrenched Catholic culture. LGBT people have carved out their own space in the country’s churches, even taking up key roles in spreading the faith. As Catholicism worldwide seeks to reconcile its difficult relationship with sexual orientation and gender expression, this devoutly Catholic Southeast Asian country is an embodiment of both conflict and harmony between doctrinaire teachings on identity and modernity. Ryan Thoreson (2017) stated that LGBT students in the Philippines face serious problems that threaten their safety, health and right to education. Despite existing legal protections, many LGBT students do not feel comfortable reporting incidents to school authorities, according to the DepEd, which acknowledges that LGBT youth continue to be at high risk for physical, psychological, and sexual violence in schools. The DepEd Order No. 32 s. 2017 or Gender-Responsive Basic Education Policy was signed in 2017, DepEd’s Gender-Responsive Basic Education Policy integrates “the principles of gender equality, gender equity, gender sensitivity, non-discrimination, and human rights” in elementary and high schools across the country. By promoting gender equality and non-discrimination at all levels, the directive aims to protect students from gender-related violence, abuse, exploitation, and bullying. Mela Habijan (2022) stated “This office reminds the field to respect the gender expression of students. Gender expression refers to the way in which a person acts to communicate gender within a given culture, for example, in terms of clothing, communication patterns and interests”. Sessy Maravillo (2022) also stated the adoption of gender-neutral uniforms must be one of the significant and positive steps toward a compassionate society. We should always remember that forcing clothes on children or students won't make a school better, but a uniform combined with reforms can.
Gender expression is showing your confidence. Mendeley (2021) stated that confidence in one's gender self-concept has been positively associated with subjective well-being. Further, negative consequences for school life have occurred for adolescents with marginalized gender identities. We must respect their choices in life and what they want to do. Be respectful of an individual’s affirmed gender identity, name, and pronouns. You may be afraid of making a mistake or offending someone when you don't know what name or pronouns to use. (Hager, 2014). We should support their choices that they want and be responsible of the things that will hurt them. Speak up when you hear someone saying something offensive, advocate for policies that improve the campus climate for gender nonconforming students, and listen to the voices of those students. any trans youth face challenges throughout their lives. Fear about how family and friends may react as well as fear of bullying, harassment, discrimination and prejudice may stop young people from publicly identifying as a gender minority. Member states should make sure that law enforcement agencies take the necessary precautions to guard participants in lawful protests in support of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from any attempts to forcibly interfere with or impede their ability to effectively exercise their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Many people will support you, but it may take a lot of time. Loved ones probably won't know how to react, and will be in shock. Support and acceptance can be difficult for others as this is a complex subject; one that has not been talked about in previous generations. Most people don't understand, and fear what they don't know.
I am in favor of LGBTQ students wearing their preferred school uniform. I believe in fairness and respect for every human being living in this temporal world. We all deserve to be happy regardless of creed, gender, and sexual preferences by being true to ourselves; exercising our individual rights for as long as we abide by the laws of society. Please don't get me wrong, I am not forsaking the norms and traditions that our forefathers laid that shaped our conservative and valued society. But we are now living in a world where acceptance is greater than conventional; where respect is better than being right. Thus, it is acceptable not to restrict and to give the students of the LGBTQ Community the freedom to wear their preferred official school uniform.
References:
Cherry, K. (2021). GENDER IDENTITY What Is Gender Expression? verywell mind.
Mateo, J. (2022). Respect Students’ Gender Expression In Graduation Attires, Schools Told.
Paguirigan, K. C. (2022). Gender Expression vs. Schools and Universities. ExplainedPH.
Thoreson, R. (2017). The Philippines Affirmed Equal Rights in Schools – Now It Should Protect Them.
SunStar/Tacloban. (2022). Trans teen hopes more schools adopt gender-friendly wearing of uniform.
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