10/09/2020
SAGE, as an organization of Student advocates for equal rights for all gender, firmly condemns the granting of absolute pardon to Joseph Scott Pamberton who was convicted for murdering trans woman, Jennifer Laude, by President Duterte.
On October 11, 2020, Laude was found dead, naked in the bathroom wrapped in a blanket and face down on the toilet. A vicious act done by Pamberton who filed an appeal which he stated that "never thought of Laude as a human being, but as a f***l matter due to her s*xuality". The decision, had many LGBT groups and allies, and even Harry Roque as part of Laude's legal team exclaimed that the date of Laude's death was the "death of Philippines sovereignty". US troops continue to freely roam in our motherland and still holds great influence in our ways and laws.
The death of Laude is a direct manifestation of prejudice among the LGBTQ+ community and abuse on s*xual orientation and gender identity and expression (SOGIE). Contrary to claims that Philippines warmly embraces diversity as we recognize members of the LGBTQ+ community, this circumstance shows our shallow understanding in humanizing our struggles towards inclusivity and acceptance.
It can't be denied that many Filipinos are conservative but it doesn't really help. It just maintains a backwards culture which we want to dismantle for pride and liberation. This culture trickles down to a colonial, commercialized and repressive education system that compromised the quality of education that we deserve. In turn, it affects our understanding and struggles in regards to inclusivity and acceptance.
As Carolinians, we have not been spared from this, for the university is only a snippet of what the bigger world is like. Even after years of campaigning for gender equality in the university, we still have yet to enjoy our rights to freely express ourselves. Our brothers and sisters still experience discrimination and our student manual still includes provisions which do not adhere to what is rightfully due to us. Dress-codes and haircut policies continue to repress us from showcasing our true beautiful selves.
These, among a lot of cases of harassment, abuse, and different monstrous attacks against the LGBTQ+, has, once again, been denied of our well-deserved justice. SAGE continues to seek accountability for the murder of Jennifer Laude as rights and liberty must be for everyone, regardless of age, s*x, gender, race, religion and s*xual orientation. LGBTQ+ Carolinians, this isn't the time to shy away from our unity and strength. We will continue the fight until all of us are free.