We’re no strangers to heartbreaks— our two years in the Fellowship [Program] made sure of that. We’ve seen our students carry burdens and take on challenges we wouldn’t want anyone to experience. In the past couple of years, I have had my fair share of experiences I know I’ll need a lifetime to heal from, and it breaks my heart to think of every student who might be in the same situation as I am.
I think of every student who has gone up to me crying, and every student who refused to speak to anyone, embarrassed after being teased for being gay. I think of *LJ, one of the brightest and most energetic kids I’ve had the privilege of teaching. LJ was kind and thoughtful, he would make it a point to ask everyone how they were that day, and would always take time to help anyone in need. He was also active in class, always the first to raise his hand during recitation and always the most bibo in activities. Needless to say, he was the life of the party. But every time he was teased for being “soft” and for being “kikay”, it was like seeing a star losing its light in an instant. Every time, LJ and I would have a little heart-to-heart talk, and I’d remind him of the wonderful person he is.
For me, encounters like those are teaching moments. I usually sit down with my students and process with them— saying that there is nothing wrong with being feminine or gay (regardless of their biological sex), how being gay should not be used as an insult, and how it’s okay to be different as long as we always strive to be good people.
In those moments, there was always a tinge of sadness. Knowing that when they grow up they will be more exposed to such a cruel world. When their identity is someday used to insult and degrade them, I will not be able to protect them and process with them, but I can only hope that during the time we spent together they felt seen and they felt safe. I hope that they take those feelings with them as they grow up, and that they can make others feel the same way too. It was important to me that I was able to create a safe space for my kids then.
It was for LJ and my other students, as well as a dear friend of mine, that I first joined a Pride March. It was called Kadaiyahan 2018 (‘Kadaiyahan’ is the Bisaya word for “diversity”), and proudly waving a rainbow flag alongside a couple thousand of LGBT members and allies easily became one of my core memories from the Fellowship [Program].
Half a decade later, I continue to advocate for equality in the spaces I live in and work at. I think of LJ and my other students, and how every fight for inclusivity is for them. I am inspired by co-alumni like Levi Miscala ‘16 (Co-founder and Executive Director at Pinas Safe Spaces), who literally and figuratively create safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community. I am inspired by each of you who speak up for human rights, especially for LGBT rights.
As we celebrate Pride Month, I invite everyone to continue to share stories of and from the LGBT community so we can inspire more people to share our passion for creating inclusive and supportive environments. Back then, we all strived to be safe spaces for our students, and now we can continue to create safe spaces for each other.
By speaking up, we build a culture of inclusivity, one where everyone can come as they are. By supporting one another, we can foster a community where everyone feels valued and respected. By being and creating safe spaces, we make the world a kinder place for ourselves and for our students. No effort is too small, all our hard work paves the way for a better future. I hope we can all be safe spaces, for ourselves and for others. I hope we can create safe spaces, para sa bata, at para sa isang inklusibong Pilipinas.
Happy Pride! LGBT rights, human rights!
*name was changed to protect his identity
Liane Amat was deployed to Cagayan de Oro as a Teacher Fellow in 2017. She is currently the Alumni Pathways Manager at Teach for the Philippines.