Trans na si Cis: A Narrative inquiry into the transgender identity affirmation of transpinays in the philippines

Date

6-2022

Degree

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Rosette Anne O. Rogelio

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Abstract

Transgender identity affirmation is "the extent to which transgender identity is disclosed to others so as to be recognized by them, performed in the presence of others and supported by others" (Nuttbrock, Rosenblum, & Blumenstein, 2002).In the Philippines, unfortunately, there is a lack of awareness and understanding of the Filipino transgender experience, particularly Filipino transgender women (or transpinays) wherein they are perceived as males or bakla rather than the women they prefer to be regarded as. As a result, the State and its agencies and other social institutions are unable to properly support the transgender identity affirmation that they want and need to fulfill in order to live their authentic gendered selves

This study explored and understood the lived experiences of transpinays in their transgender identity affirmation in a heterocisnormative Philippine society. Guided primarily by the narrative inquiry design, in-depth interviews with three transpinays were conducted to collect oral narratives which were analyzed using thematic analysis and restorying.

The narratives of the three participants give depth to the understanding of the Filipino transgender experience of transition. The key findings in the study showed that the transgender identity affirmation of transpinays is a complex process that spans from early childhood and continues until adulthood and involves three phasesAwareness of Transgender Identity, Achievement of Transgender Congruence, and Embodiment of Transgender Identity-and that it is a continuing process of embodying their transgender identities. Furthermore, transpinays are able to achieve up to medical transition only, and are unable to achieve legal transition, due to a lack of enabling platforms and environment in the Philippines to do so. Finally, the study revealed that transpinays experience challenges in their transgender identity affirmation brought by rampant discrimination against the LGBTQ community; financial and aging-related constraints in sustaining medical transition, and legal impediments to changing their information according to their gender identity in official documents and/or records and identification systems. The study gave a glimpse into the Filipino transgender experience through the narratives of the three participants only. Given this, the researcher recommends specific strategies for future research to improve the quality of research outcomes and policy advice for supporting and empowering the identities and expressions of transpinays.

Keywords:

Language

English

LC Subject

Transgender--Gender affirmation--Transgender identity affirmation--Transpinays-Narrative inquiry

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2022 S7 D47

Document Type

Thesis

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