ICYMI: The University of the Philippines Manila University Student Council (UPM USC) is asking the institution to recognize the gender identities of its students during their graduation rites. This includes allowing them to wear clothing and use lived names that align with their gender identities.
Several other UP institutions like UP Diliman, UP Los Baños, UP Cebu, UP Visayas, and UP Mindanao have already begun acknowledging the gender identities of their students, pushing UP Manila to do the same.
However, the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) has expressed hesitance in doing so, citing the potential concerns of parents.
The UPM USC, on the other hand, says that the decision should lie in the students and that the parents should not dictate the way their children choose to express and identify themselves. "Adults naman na ang students, so baka 'di na need ng parental consent." the USC argued.
They added: "Baka [mayroong] may hindi good parental connections."
The OUR noted that the decision can only be granted as long as the students have consent from their parents.
The USC finally agreed on the idea of having a document that states parental approval on the usage of their children's lived names. Despite this, the student council is still moving to have this request automatically approved with just the consent of students alone through legal advice.
"The UPM USC will seek legal advice on allowing students to use their lived names based on their sole consent given that they are adults," they stated in their Facebook post.
The University of the Philippines Manila's graduation rites are set to commence on August 7, 2023.
