The gender-fluid history of the Philippines | France Villarta

Summary

The speaker shares a personal narrative from their childhood in the Philippines, highlighting the story of Lenie, a transgender woman who ran a popular beauty salon. The talk delves into the rich history of gender diversity and cultural permissiveness in the Philippines, challenging the rigid Western concepts of gender. It underscores the importance of recognizing and reconstructing social constructs to embrace diversity and inclusivity, drawing on the strength and courage of individuals like Lenie who have paved the way for others to live authentically.

Takeaways

• 🏠 Growing up in the southern Philippines in the 1990s, the speaker lived in a close-knit community where privacy was limited.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The traditional family structure was observed, but the community also embraced diverse family compositions.
• 💃 Lenie, a transgender woman, was a prominent and respected figure in the community, owning a popular beauty salon.
• 🌈 The Philippines has a long history of gender diversity, challenging the binary understanding of gender.
• 📚 Precolonial Philippine societies were animistic and egalitarian, with women holding significant roles and power.
• 🧙‍♀️ Babaylan, female shamans, played crucial roles in the community, and there were also male practitioners who did not conform to Western masculine standards.
• 🇪🇸 Spanish colonization introduced a rigid two-gender model, which was at odds with the existing cultural permissiveness and gender fluidity.
• 📜 Historical documents like the Bolinao Manuscript and the Boxer Codex provide insights into the gender and sexual dynamics of the time.
• 🌏 Contemporary discussions on gender often overlook the social constructs that define our understanding of gender, which can be reimagined for a more inclusive society.
• 🌈 The speaker advocates for a reclamation of the Filipino legacy of gender equality and inclusivity, and for recognizing the courage of those who defy societal norms.
• 💪 Being true to oneself is revolutionary, and the speaker offers support and validation to those facing discrimination and pressures to conform.

Q & A

What was the living condition of the speaker's childhood home in the Philippines?

The speaker lived in a one-bedroom house with four other family members. Their house was among clusters of similar houses made mostly of wood and corrugated metal sheets, built very close to each other along unpaved roads, offering little to no privacy.

How did the speaker describe Lenie and her family?

Lenie was a transgender woman with long black hair often in a ponytail and manicured nails, known for her signature red lipstick. Her partner wore white sleeveless shirts and gold chains. Their daughter was a few years younger than the speaker. Lenie owned a popular beauty salon and was a well-known figure in the village.

What was the role of the 'babaylan' in precolonial Philippine societies?

The 'babaylan' was a collective term for shamans of various ethnic groups. They were community healers, specialists in herbal and divine lore, delivered babies, and communicated with the spirit world. In some cases, they also performed exorcisms and defended their community.

How did Spanish colonization influence the perception of gender in the Philippines?

Spanish colonization brought with it a two-sex, two-gender model that was at odds with the existing gender diversity and cultural permissiveness in the Philippines. Spanish missionaries spent 300 years trying to enforce this model, which was a significant departure from the egalitarian and gender-variant-permitting societies that existed before.

What are some of the cultural practices related to gender that were present in precolonial Philippine societies?

Precolonial Philippine societies had a more fluid understanding of gender, with practices such as male shamans cross-dressing and exhibiting effeminate behaviors. The 'babaylan' role included both women and men who did not conform to normative Western masculine standards.

How did the speaker's experience with Lenie and other figures in their life shape their views on gender and acceptance?

The speaker learned from Lenie and others that integrity, kindness, and strength of character are better measures of judgment than things beyond a person's control, such as their gender. This shaped their view that being true to oneself is revolutionary and that everyone deserves rights and recognition.

What is the significance of the speaker mentioning countries that have introduced nonbinary options in legal documents?

The mention of countries introducing nonbinary options in legal documents signifies a global shift towards recognizing and accommodating diverse gender identities. It suggests a move away from the traditional binary understanding of gender and towards a more inclusive model.

What was the role of women in precolonial Philippine societies?

Women in precolonial Philippine societies had significant roles and rights. They could divorce their husbands, own property under their own name, and had a say in family contracts. They also held the powerful role of 'babaylan,' which included various spiritual and community responsibilities.

How did Spanish friars view the cross-dressing babaylan?

Spanish friars speculated that cross-dressing babaylan were either celibates like themselves or had deficient or malformed genitals. This view was based on their own cultural biases and misunderstandings of the local customs and spiritual practices.

What is the speaker's perspective on the social construct of gender?

The speaker views the social construct of gender as something that has been imposed and can be reconstructed. They believe that the prevailing notions of man and woman, anchored strictly on biological sex, are not static but can be adapted to fit a more diverse and inclusive society.

What message does the speaker convey to those who are struggling with societal pressures regarding gender identity?

The speaker conveys a message of validation and support, encouraging those struggling to not break under societal pressures. They emphasize that everyone's identity is valid and deserves recognition and rights, just like everyone else.