The Perception of Students of the University of Santo

Tomas
on the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity of
LGBT Individuals in the Philippines
LGBT Community
Comprised of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgenders
Supported by different people, subcultures and
organizations, the gay community is founded on a
common culture, as well as social and political
movements
Underrepresented in the area of civil rights
LGBT Community in the Philippines
Ang Ladlad vs. COMELEC
Silverio vs Republic of the Philippines
Anti-Discrimination Bill
Also known as House Bill 110 or An Act Prohibiting
Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and
Gender Identity and Providing Penalties Therefor
Provides for the equal treatment of all individuals, and
works actively for the elimination of all forms of
discrimination, particularly those discriminatory
practices based on sex or sexual orientation, and to
adopt such legislative or other measures as may be
necessary to give effect to those rights.
Objectives of the Study
To determine the perception of students regarding LGBT
individuals.
To determine if the perception of the students correlates
with the identification of LGBT individuals in the legal
system of the country.
To identify the elements that affect their perception of
the gender identity of the LGBT individuals.
Statement of the Problem
The researchers would like to find feasible answers to the main
problem of this study: What is the perception of students on
the sexual orientation and gender identity of LGBT individuals?
To broaden and elaborate on the said topic, the researchers prepared
following sub-questions:
Do they see LGBT individuals with respect to their gender at birth?
Do they see LGBT individuals with respect to their sexual orientation and gender
identity?
What affects their perception of LGBT individuals sexuality?
Are they really discriminated in the society?
Is there a need for the legislation/amendment of laws giving special rights to the
LGBT individuals?
Are they in favor of the current anti-discrimination bill pending in the Congress?
Significance of the Study
Provides awareness on how LGBTs are perceived in the
Philippine society
Shows the perception of students on whether a legislation
protecting LGBTs against discrimination must be passed
Can serve as a foundation in attaining the real essence of
equality and justice
Can serve as a resort to analyzing future legislations as to the
needs of LGBT individuals
Can serve as a benchmark to future studies involving LGBT
individuals and their status in the society
Scope and Limitation
The study will cover students of the University of Santo
Tomas located in Sampaloc, Manila.
Other issues such as the influence of the LGBT
Community in the society could be tackled, but it is the
perception of the students regarding the sexual
orientation and gender identity of such is focused on by
the study.
Research Design
Descriptive research
includes surveys and fact-finding studies.
describe or report what has happened or what is currently
happening through the use of data collection instruments.
Quantitative research
uses numerical or statistical data.
utilizes mathematically-based techniques.
the researchers will likewise use the widely known computer
software called SPSS in the analysis of the data that will be
collected for this research study.
Research Design
Qualitative research
uses in-depth studies of people or small groups of
people to guide and support the construction of
hypotheses.
usually done through interviews.
Summary of Findings
PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS WHO ARE TRANSGENDERS

4%
Yes
No

96%
Summary of Findings
RESPONDENTS WITH FAMILIARITY OF TRANSGENDERS

36% Yes
No

64%
Summary of Findings
SOURCES OF INFORMATION REGARDING LGBT INDIVIDUALS

Newspaper and Magazines 165

Social Media 340

Books and Research Studies 116

Radio 111

Television 333
Summary of Findings
AWARENESS ON THE SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY OF LGBT INDIVIDUALS

36% Yes
No

64%
Summary of Findings
PERCEPTION OF THE RESPONDENTS ON THE IMPORTANCE FOR LGBT INDIVIDUALS TO HAVE A DISTINCT GENDER IDENTITY APART FROM MALE AND FEMALE

Yes
46% No
54%
Summary of Findings
PERCEPTION OF THE RESPONDENTS ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF LGBT INDIVIDUALS ON THEIR CHOSEN GENDER IDENTITY INSTEAD THEIR GENDER AT BIRTH

22%
Yes
No

78%
Summary of Findings
PERCEPTION OF THE RESPONDENTS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF AWARENESS OF LGBT INDIVIDUALS SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY

10%
Yes
No

90%
Summary of Findings
PERCENTAGE OF THE RESPONDENTS WHO WILL SUPPORT A LAW THAT WILL RECOGNIZE THE CHOSEN SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY OF LGBT INDIVIDUALS

Yes
38%
No

62%
Summary of Findings
PERCENTAGE OF THE RESPONDENTS WHO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NECESSITY TO ADD OTHER GENDER OPTIONS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DOCUMENTS

30% Yes
No

70%
Summary of Findings
PERCEPTION OF THE RESPONDENTS REGARDING THE DISCRIMINATION OF LGBT INDIVIDUALS

24%
Yes
No

76%
Summary of Findings
PERCEPTION OF THE RESPONDENTS REGARDING THE INFLUENCE OF LGBT INDIVIDUALS IN THE SOCIETY

16%
Yes
No

84%
Summary of Findings
PERCEPTION OF THE RESPONDENTS REGARDING THE ADEQUACY OF THE LAW IN PROTECTING THE RIGHTS LGBT INDIVIDUALS IN THE SOCIETY

Yes
46% No
54%
Summary of Findings
AWARENESS OF THE STUDENTS REGARDING THE PENDING ANTI-DISCRIMINATION BILL

28% Yes
No

72%
Summary of Findings
PERCEPTION OF THE STUDENTS REGARDING THE LEGISLATION OF A STATUTE EXCLUSIVE FOR THE LGBT INDIVIDUALS

Yes
45% No
55%
Summary of Findings
PERCEPTION OF THE STUDENTS REGARDING THE RECOGNITION BY THE LAW OF THE GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION OF LGBT INDIVIDUALS

30% Yes
No

70%
Summary of Findings
PERCEPTION OF THE STUDENTS WHETHER A LEGISLATION RECOGNIZING THE GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION OF THE LGBT INDIVIDUALS WOULD BE PROPER

33% Yes
No

67%
Summary of Findings
PERCEPTION OF THE STUDENTS ON THE EFFECT OF RECOGNIZING THE SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY OF LGBT INDIVIDUALS IN THE LEGISLATURE

27%
Yes
No

73%
Summary of Findings
FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE PERCEPTION OF SOCIETY OF LGBT INDIVIDUALS

School 214

Family 255

Tradition 252

Government 118

Religion 307
Conclusion
The respondents are deemed aware of LGBTs sexual
orientation and gender identity. The researchers conclude that
with such awareness, the respondents very well understand
the problem posed at hand.

Aside from the participants assertion of the different factors

affecting their perception of the LGBT Community, researchers
affirm that the religion and the media instills the most
influence in the formation of the perception of the society of
their community.
Conclusion
Passage of a legislation granting the protection of the LGBT
individuals from discrimination are also purported to be
essential.
Because it would empower or motivate LGBT people to act for the
betterment of the country.
Discrimination could be lessened. They would be more open to share
talents and ideas to the nation.
Everyone must be given equal protection. LGBTs, having a different
gender identity, do not fully enjoy their rights.
- Insights from the respondents
Conclusion
LGBT individuals are accepted and acknowledged by the
society accordingly for their gender identity, but the society
still believes that there is no necessity to add such to gender
options in public and private documents. Equality is the goal
of the law; nonetheless it shall be bound by ratiocination.
Because in reality, there are only two sexes--considering a distinct gender
would only cause conflict and confusion in some instances.
It's not necessary and it won't jeopardize the peace and order of the
nation even without such distinction.
It doesn't have relative importance to society in general.
- Insights from the respondents
Conclusion
Despite the consensus of the participants confirming their recognition
and acceptance of the sexual orientation and gender identity of the
LGBT individuals by supporting the passage of Anti-Discrimination Bill
or any statute protecting the rights of such, researchers conclude
that people are still ambivalent whether to fully press on the matter
at hand, for the Philippines is still considered a conservative country.

Like every other problem this society has, ignorance is the root cause; plus the
conservative views religion has instilled in our minds. People are being improperly
educated about these things and being caged to what is righteous according to
some, therefore, clouding their perception about transgenders and transsexuality
or LGBTs in general.
Jenny Palacpac, UP Babaylan
Recommendations
Various organizations, party-lists and social groups must
catalyze projects that will further inform the nation on the
difference between a transgender, a transsexual and also
lesbian, gay and bisexual so that people will no longer be
confused on their individuality.

The House Bill 110 or An Act Prohibiting Discrimination on the

Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Providing
Penalties Therefor, must be subject to review so it will not be
the cause of alteration of certain established laws in the
country.
Recommendations
The Government shall constitute laws that will reduce the
oppression and vitriolic manners towards LGBT individuals.
To conduct a further study on the foreseen ways in decreasing
the abusive cases against LGBT individuals will also be useful.