Fight for equality. No to discrimination.
LGBTQ+ rights group Bahaghari shared a viral video on Wednesday, March 13th, featuring second-year entrepreneurship student getting her hair chopped to shoulder length in school by a fellow student.
Netizens are furious that the Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST) administration is requiring transgender students to cut off their hair in order to enroll.
As recently as last year, the students had been meeting with the school administration multiple times to resolve the problem, but to no avail, according to Arri Samsico, Secretary-General of the LGBTQIA+ rights organization Bahaghari, in a series of X posts.
Additionally, it was brought to the notice of Manila Mayor Dra’s office and the Manila Public Information Office. However, Samsico made no mention of having heard back from them, Honey Lacuna-Pangan.
Even the former Season 1 runner-up of “Drag Race Philippines”, Eva Le Queen, Pura Luka Vega, and Drag Race Philippines Season 2 winner Captivating Katkat, expressed support for the EARIST students.
“This is blatant discrimination and oppression! Walang kinalaman ang gender expression sa kakayahan mo bilang studyante, so bakit? Schools are institutions to build potential. This is just plain bullying!” Eva wrote.
While Pura Luka Vega quoted, “We really should stop this. Ano naman ang kinalaman ng buhok sa pag-aaral? If anything, children learn better if you let them be their authentic selves.”
This happened because the rule of conduct and discipline in the 2021 EARIST student handbook states that male students are expected to wear a barber’s haircut. For female students, on the other hand, the only prohibition was that they couldn’t wear bright highlights.
Students may “freely express one’s gender preference to follow the norms of the Institution without due prejudice to any provisions,” according to the handbook.
A 2023 memorandum that was shared on EARIST’s Facebook page states that while female students are not permitted to have “colorful hair highlights,” male students must “observe a clean and decent haircut [barber’s cut 2 inches by 3 inches] without colorful highlights.”
The only exceptions to the university’s “proper decorum” policies are for working students who, with permission, need a specific haircut for work.
The memo makes no mention of any rules, if any, in EARIST’s student handbook that permit students to sport gender-affirming outfits or haircuts.
Meanwhile, Gabriela Partylist urges EARIST to drop anti-LGBTQ policies. According to Rep. Arlene Brosas (Gabriela Women’s Party), “It is appalling to witness educational institutions perpetuate discriminatory policies that violate the fundamental rights and dignity of students. Such actions not only harm individuals but contribute to a culture of exclusion and marginalization within a supposedly safe space for the youth.”
Nicole Thomas
