Transpinay Online and Offline: Reclaiming Transgender Communication Spaces

Abstract

Three full pledged Transgendered Filipina Women (Transpinays) from Metro Manila were interviewed to (1.) define who are the Transgendered Filipina women (Transpinays) (2.) understand who are the Transpinays (3.) explain why and how they became Transpinays, (4.) describe their status as members of the society and (5.) explain how he reclaimed his gender identity offline in the communication spaces engaged in. Inspired by Feminist, Queer, and Elaboration Likelihood theories, a Transpinay's own version of puberty, and four major themes that included self-proclaimed women, identity straggler, discriminated group, and public spaces, were made to answers the aforementioned objectives of the study and were important elements towards human and societal development. Communication spaces were also drawn to explain how the self-proclaimed women were able to reclaim and assert their rights and existence. The study was a contribution to the development of the society and shall serve as a recommendation to the National Government to act on the pending anti-discrimination bills which will protect the rights of the LGBT community, especially of the Transpinays. This study will also help in achieving the 7th Sustainable Development Goal agreed by 193 countries members of the United Nations that covers gender identity and equality in the country and empower the Transpinays.