Filipino transgender people celebrate TDoR
November 20th – Transgenders worldwide celebrate in unison the “Transgender Day of Remembrance” or TDOR; as we commemorate those who have been victims of gender-based crimes and killings. With the number of growing victims for gender-based violence, it is about time we fight for our rights.
Hate crimes should stop
People have opressed the trans community far too long already. It is quite alarming to see that there is a constant rise in the number of gender discrimination and crimes. Where homes are supposed to be sanctuaries and neutral grounds, it is where harassments sometimes even start. Crimes like these increase parallel to the number of violent transphobics and this can be quite disturbing. For so many years, the LGBT community has been fighting for equality and been striving for public awareness.
Despite the blooming acceptance towards the LGBT community, some transgenders are still victims of domestic violence. This is because the law has no protections for transgenders; which allow us to be more vulnerable to discrimination.
No to Transphobia
The Association of Transgenders in the Philippines together with Transman Pilipinas and its partners would like to shout out to the public—calling for a more forceful worldwide comeback against transphobia. We believe that the reason why transphobia has not been fully eradicated is that there are no laws protecting transgenders. We are fully behind the push of the Anti-Discrimination Bill still pending in the Philippine Congress. Transgenders need more gender-bills legislated.
Transphobia only add further damage to creating chaos in the society by imposing shame on people, particularly transgender and passing it off as norms in the culture and the community. The LGBT community will take actions and will no longer tolerate such discrimination. Therefore, the entire LGBT society urges that the Philippine government take part in this fight against acumen by ensuring transgender rights as part of human rights according to US Vice-President Joe Biden :“ Transgender discrimination is the civil rights issue of our times”
This is not only a call to all LGBT advocates but to all human rights advocates as well to come together to finally show the world that we are united in our plea against transphobia. “Transgender day of Remembrance” is a reminder of the lives wasted, demeaned and traumatized and the hope that by uniting and taking steps of actions, harmony is within grasp.
