In the heat of March, what could be more unsettling than disputes online under the guise of a profound series of discussions? Perhaps it's not only the scorching sun burning people's skin, but also the discourse in online platforms on whether transgender women have a place in the celebration of Women's Month.
Jamie Casino, a TikTok content creator and a trans woman, shared on the same social media that she includes trans women when saying โHappy Women's Monthโ, because โtrans women are women.โ Other account users swarmed to leave comments on the post arguing that there is a time for transgender people to celebrate, and that is during Pride Month in June which is three months from now.
While the scene has prompted a channel to a free dialogue, it seems that women's month has become a battleground for people who compete for whoever has got more fights to win, rather than to build an avenue of winning fights.
In essence, Women's Month is a celebration of women from all walks of life, transcending cultural and racial backgrounds. Women are no stranger in the country's history and the becoming of the nation. They have made significant contributions as much as they have been deprived a voice for the longest time, including historians, suffragettes, revolutionaries, and war heroines.
Meanwhile, trans women have also been subjected to the same vulnerability as cis women in terms of discrimination, lack of job opportunities, and the constant denial from fellow Filipinos of the visibility and representation they need. In a multitude of versions, women always have to bend knees and water to get what they deserve.
As ironic as it may seem, while advocating for a new, transformative country, many Filipinos today remain distant to the growing lack of empathy towards the minorities. The Philippine Commission on Women (PWC) underscores the importance of making this yearโs Women's Month โmore than a celebrationโ and takes the chance to turn its cause into a movementโa movement to stand in solidarity with women and everyone.
To this day since the beginning of the month, many argue that including trans women in the celebration is a slap to the grueling hardships cis women endured to gain their rights. However, this notion simply echoes the same oppressive mindset that denied women their rights in the past.
Amid the hate comments splashed on screens, transgender community and cis women have also joined the conversation to speak out for the trans women, sharing the namesake as a testament to the enduring power of understanding and empowerment with each other.
As linguists defined the word โwomanโ with several meanings, one that resonated the most with the current disarray is that it is a neutral term, lacking either favorable or unfavorable connotations. Meanwhile, scientists themselves declared that human beings with female sex characteristics should be called โwomenโ so as not to limit their identities according to their reproductive skills.
Interestingly, a fresher nuance has also been introduced through the generations: girlhood or womanhood is a spectrum. This means that there are many ways in which Women's Month could be celebrated, expanding its definition. In its feminist perspective, celebrating women borders on genuine gender equality, promoting strengthened inclusivity and intersectionality.
As a community, what binds everyone into a single motion is the drive to speak out against every mark of inequalities and discriminations. And most of the time, people still manage to fall short in upholding their resolve when the fight takes on a new face. Just as purple symbolizes justice and dignity, and the LGBTQIA+ flag stands for visibility and pride, the essence of Women's Month lies in embracing every hue of womanhood. The month is far from over, and there is still time to see its colors more vividly.
Feature article by Dana Zusha Garduque, Writer
Graphics by Von Ami Frondozo, AGE
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