Tarlac State University bars transgender women from wearing dresses at graduation

Amid the celebration of Pride month in some countries across the globe, eight transgender women who are set to cap off their college education at Tarlac State University have been barred from wearing women's clothes on graduation day.

According to a report by Lei Alviz in GMA's 24 Oras on Thursday, the school administration advised them to wear barong and slacks at the upcoming commencement exercises next week.

This dampened the students' mood at a time when they should be celebrating.

"Hindi ko alam kung magiging masaya ako sa graduation. Sana pagbigyan na kami kasi isang araw lang naman ang hinihiling namin. Naging mabuting estudyante naman kami," said JP Panag.

They said that they were also confused because their school had apparently previously supported their endeavors as transgender women.

"When I joined Eat Bulaga Super Sireyna in 2018, I was actually recognized by our college. Even the provincial government of Tarlac when I won queen of the Philippines, nire-recognize nila kami. Akala po namin may gender equality na," said Ivern Arcache.

"'Yung supreme student council po nag-initiate ng beauty pageant for us transgender. Sa pageant po na 'yun, in-allow po kaming mag-gown, mag-dress lahat po," Tony Gamboa added.

The women hope that the school will grant their request to dress according to their gender identity on their big day.

The president of the university, however, said that the dress code for graduation day was agreed upon by stakeholders.

"Sila ang nag-agree diyan, hindi ako. Ang sabi nila sa akin, na-explain na raw 'yan sa graduating class. Alangan naman i-turn around ko ang napag-agreehan nila?" Dr. Myrna Mallari said in an interview posted on the Facebook page of the official student publication of the university. — Dona Magsino/BM, GMA News