Globalization and Discriminatory Practices Against Trans-women in the Philippines

Abstract

Being transgender, specifically trans-woman still comes with a stigma attached even though it is reported that an estimated 9 to 9.5 million transgender people live in the Asia-Pacific region, with the majority being trans-women, according to a UNDP May 2012 report. However, research exploring the different aspects of transgender people’ lives in that same region is not much, but growing. Studies done in the United States of America suggest that transgender people face high rates of discrimination (Grant, et. al, 2011; Kosciw & Diaz, 2006; Grossman & D’Augelli, 2006). However, little is known about the types of discrimination trans-women face in the Philippines context. This phenomenological study explores the experiences of ten trans-women in the Philippines through semi-structured interviews. All interviews and focus groups were conducted in the cities of Dasmariñas and Santa Rosa. Seven themes emerged from analysis of data: awareness of participants’ differences, family, violence and abuse, employment, access to health, support, and hope for the future.