On March 15th, a student group called Bahaghari-EARIST staged a protest against a policy they find discriminatory. The Black Friday demonstration took place in front of the EARIST College of Industrial Technology in Manila.
The group, which advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, specifically condemned a university policy that requires transgender students to cut their hair a certain way in order to be allowed on campus. This policy, according to the Bahaghari-EARIST members, unfairly targets transgender students and restricts their gender expression.
The Black Friday protest is the latest development in an ongoing struggle between the student group and the university administration. Bahaghari-EARIST has previously raised concerns about the policy, arguing that it is outdated and discriminatory.
The university's policy has been met with criticism not just from the student group but also from the wider LGBTQ+ community. Many argue that the policy enforces rigid gender stereotypes and disregards the right of transgender students to express themselves authentically.
The specific details of the haircut policy are not mentioned in the available information, but it seems to differentiate between acceptable hairstyles for male and female students. This distinction unfairly targets transgender students who may not conform to traditional gender presentations.
The protest is a call to action for the university to review and revise its policies to be more inclusive and respectful of all students, regardless of their gender identity or expression. Bahaghari-EARIST hopes that by raising awareness about the issue, they can pressure the administration to create a more welcoming environment for transgender students.
The Black Friday demonstration serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ equality in the Philippines. While significant progress has been made in recent years, there are still institutions and policies that discriminate against members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The courage of the Bahaghari-EARIST members in speaking out against this policy is commendable. Their actions pave the way for a more inclusive and respectful learning environment for all students at EARIST.
It remains to be seen how the university administration will respond to the protest. However, the actions of Bahaghari-EARIST have sparked a conversation about the importance of creating a safe and welcoming space for all students, regardless of their gender identity.
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