PROPOSITION:

Let it be resolved that Filipinos be allowed to identify or indicate their gender as “X” or “non-binary” in
their official document applications, if they don’t identify as either male or female.

Beneficiality:

AFFIRMATIVE

The added gender identification “X” or “non-binary” in official document application is beneficial
to Filipinos who do not identify themselves as either male or female, to establish a sense of personal
identity, strengthen non-discrimination, and promote gender equality, and is beneficial to Filipinos in
general, as it would inculcate the value of respect, and appreciation to every human being.

1. Personal identity

As stated in the Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy, “personal identity deals with philosophical
questions that arise about ourselves, by virtue of our being people. Personal identity in this sense
consists of those properties she takes to “define her as a person” or “make her the person she is” and
which distinguish her from others.

Who am I? What have we, neither males nor females, have that males or females haven’t got? Or
the other way around. Basically, gender. It is easy to identify whether you are a male or female based on
your genitalia the moment one is born, well what if after some time, the genitalia does not exist, or was
altered? What if the physical characterization that distinguishes a male from a female is non
recognizable or is differently developed from that at birth? Giving the chance to provide a proper
identification, a rightful identification as to what kind of person he or she is, somehow completes one’s
personal identity. And the acknowledgement of one’s personal identity, bridging the perceived self
image and the actual image of the person is beneficial to the stability of mental health.

Personal identity is not just what you know about yourself, it is how you know yourself.

2. Non-discrimination and Gender Equality

It all began with a transgender woman and a toilet, after that is the proliferation of the divided
opinion regarding the matter. Let me emphasize that word “divided.” Opinions, points of view, and
comments are divided because some identified with the transgender woman, while some discriminated
her.

Senate Bill No. 1271 entitled as “An Act Prohibiting Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation
and Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) and Providing Penalties Therefor” states in its Sec. 2, that:

“SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the fundamental right of every person,
regardless of sex, age, class, status, ethnicity, color, disability, religious and political beliefs, sexual
orientation or gender identity, to be free from any form of discrimination…. Towards this end, the State
shall exert efforts to address all forms of discrimination and violence on the basis of sexual orientation
or gender identity and to promote human dignity as enshrined in the United Nations Universal
Declaration on Human Rights and all other relevant and universally accepted human rights instruments
and other international conventions to which the Philippines is a signatory.”
 When the world has openly recognized the LGBTQ+ Community, the Filipinos were at the far end of
the strata. As what was confessed by a member of the said community, the Filipinos tolerated it, but not
accepted it. The acceptance of an added gender identification is a single but big leap towards the
acceptance every member of the LGBTQ+ community has been fighting for.

3. Positive Values
a. Respect
b. Appreciation
c. Love
*search for researches

taken from a news article is this: “A Catholic nun on Wednesday defended a proposed bill
seeking to protect individuals from gender-based discrimination, saying it does not give “special rights”
to a certain group in society.” (Placido, 2019)

To quote Sister Mary John Mananzan: ““I don’t see that this bill is giving any special right to this group.
They are just saying that the rights of everybody should also be applied to them, as a religious woman I
believe in the respect, compassion, and reverence for all persons because I believe they were all made in
the image and likeness of God.”

With the Philippines being a predominantly country, it may seem that the view of the Catholic
faith remained that of the orthodox, strict, rule while today, even Pope Francis recognizes these people
and embraces them into the church, giving them uncoditional positive regard. Now may be the time to
open the closed minds and hearts that we have.acknowledgement and acceptance is the key to further
promote and strengthen the positive values that Filipinos should have, that is Respect, Appreciation and
all this together, continuous love for one another.

NEGATIVE

The added gender identification “X” or “non-binary” in official document application is not
beneficial to Filipinos as this may bring about further prejudice, discrimination, and possible abuse.

1. Prejudice
a. Define
b. Social prejudice
c. Negative effects (research)
2. Discrimination
a. Define
b. Scenarios
3. Abuse
a. Types of abuse related to gender identity
b. Scenarios

Mainstream media is criticized in the way that it stereotypes gay men and limits representation
of lesbians and transgender people; demonstrates transphobia and homophobia; and sensationalizes
coverage of LGBT-related events. Dialogue participants see LGBT-run media as important and that
Internet media has the strong potential to promote LGBT rights. They see a lack of a unified voice and
priorities as problematic in promoting LGBT rights in the media. Case studies showed the Internet used
as effective media for promoting HIV testing, the success of Outrage magazine, a comic book series that
highlighted lesbophobia and discrimination, and an LGBT radio show.” ((Being LGBT in Asia, 2014)

Giving them the label, of X or non-binary, would have make them more prone to prejudice,
discrimination and abuse. There are even pro LGBT policies in various offices, institutions and private
establishments. Positive policies include ordinances against discrimination and gender-based violence
and code of ethics that promote the respect of diversity and promoting LGBT wellbeing, but why are
they still being discriminated? Because the Filipinos are not yet open to them. This still remains a taboo.

As one article from Rappler states, “Filipino LGBTQ+ speaks up vs discrimination as they are
tolerated but not accepted.