Siargao trans surfer wants more LGBTQ+ community members to conquer waves

EASTERN SAMAR – While more than 200 athletes from around the country are competing for medals in the 2021 Surf in the City in Borongan, surfer Florentino Gubaton III or "Dods Taylor" has another objective: she wants more members of the LGBTQ+ community to join the sport.

Dods is a proud trans woman who is competing in a national surfing tournament for the first time. She introduces herself as "Siargao's Island Princess" and she is advocating for better LGBTQ+ representation, especially for the trans community, in the surfing industry.

"Gusto ko po may makilala na LGBTQ+ representation sa surfing industry. Kasi marami namang sumusuporta sakin. This is also good para may ma-recognize na may surfer na proud trans," Dods said.

["I want to see more LGBTQ+ representation in surfing. Many people support me. This competition is a good avenue for people to recognize that there is a surfer who is proudly transgender."]

Dods has experienced gender discrimination. But with the support of the Siargao surfing community, she gained confidence to be proud of the community she is representing.

"Kapag may discrimination, dedma! Laban lang! Sa lugar namin meron naman talaga discrimination, kasi nag cro-cross dress ako. Pero tumatagal dedma na sila, and they showed their support to me. Nasanay na at naging proud sila sa 'kin," she said.

["When I face discrimination, I don't pay attention. I just continue fighting. Where I come from, there's really discrimination, especially because I cross-dress. But eventually, they stopped discriminating me and started supporting me. They got used to it and they became proud of me."]

Dods Taylor rides the waves of Siargao Island during one of her exhibitions. Photo: Dods Taylor/IG

The 22-year-old Siargao native started conquering waves when she was 12 years old. She constantly surfed with her peers to find a sense of belongingness.

"Lahat sila naglalaro so ako rin naglaro rin. Ngayon nag-su-surfing ako for my own [enjoyment]," she said.

["All my friends surfed so I just joined. But now I surf for my own enjoyment."]

Dods quit surfing for a couple of years after she was wiped out by succeeding waves in one of her exhibitions. The experience traumatized her until she went back to surfing in Grade 11. She was also inspired by Elise Trigger, a surfer from Australia.

"As a woman, kumukuha talaga siya ng malalaking alon and na-shock ako. I was inspired because she is a woman and kaya niya. Kaya ginagaya ko na din," Dods said.

["As a woman, she really rides big waves and that shocked me. I was inspired because she is a woman and she can do it. So I try to emulate her."]

According to Surf in the City Chair Rupert Ambil, the competition welcomes athletes from all walks of life.

"Dods is an example of how surfing can bring everyone together. Everyone is welcome to join the sport. We want to be more inclusive and supportive of all communities," Ambil said.

As Dods competes in the 2021 Surf in the City, she hopes to wave the pride flag high to encourage her community to join the sport.

Surf in the City is co-presented by the City Government of Borongan, the Surfriders Club of Eastern Samar, and the Philippine Surfing Championship Tour. The competition is supported by the Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta Partylist, Savepoint Plus Philippines, and Globe Telecom.

For more information, please contact Bong Santisteban at 0966-983-2013 or at bong.santisteban@gmail.com.

—MGP, GMA News