The Sanggunian discusses LGBTQ+ concerns with admin

THE Sanggunian Commission on Gender Equality (CGE) recently reached out to the school administration this intersession regarding concerns from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and plus (LGBTQ+) community. Together with the Commission on Anti-sexual Misconduct and Violence (CASMV), the CGE planned on creating a more effective approach to address and solve these problems for the new school year.

CGE Head Commissioner Von Carolino shared that the Sanggunian is currently working closely with the Loyola School (LS) Gender Hub, as well as specific members of the administration. Their plans included making the CGE the official bridge between the institution and the different sectors that represent the LGBTQ+ community within the Ateneo.

However, Carolino acknowledged that the student government is “limited” in fully eradicating the problems of LGBTQ+ discrimination and oppression that occur in campus. He said, “It’s difficult to pursue cases and awareness against gender violence, if in the Ateneo, structures don’t formally accommodate [the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill].”

Although there have been no recent advancements with the SOGIE Equality Bill, the Ateneo has still made efforts in support of the LGBTQ+ community. On June 29, the Atenean community walked in solidarity with 70,000 other participants in this year’s Metro Manila Pride March. Held at the Marikina Sports Center, the event called LGBTQ+ members and allies to protest against discrimination.

In line with the theme #ResistTogether, the Sanggunian organized a delegation from Ateneo to march in the streets of Marikina. The CGE provided transportation going to and from the venue for students who lacked logistical means to attend.

Not even the inclement weather could dampen participants’ spirits in this year’s Pride. Photo from Patricia Corpus.

On March 11, the Sanggunian even held its own pride march entitled “One Big Pride.” However, this was not received well by the Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life (CFC-FFL) who released a statement on June 19. The association critcized the march’s celebration of homosexuality, noting how it is “contrary to the Catholic faith and thus injurious to the faithful.”

CFC-FFL’s Live Life Program Coordinator RJ Moriones further explained, “As a Catholic Community, we stand by the teachings of the Church, who is both our mother and teacher. We are moved to affirm the vocation of all Catholic educational institutions to teach genuine Catholic education, which was undermined by the One Big Pride parade.”

In response to this, the CGE issued its own statement on June 25. The organization stood by its event as it was part of the student government’s “proactive efforts towards promoting gender equality in order to create a more accepting Ateneo.”

Last December 2018, the LS administration also established the LS Gender Policy, which recognized the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in the Ateneo and aimed to build a “gender-inclusive, gender-responsive and gender-safe” university.