2022-2023

Proponent: Mary Joy V. Alabat

Topic: Banning of the LGBTQ cross-dressing in the town of Maguindanao
To whom it may address: Citizens of Maguindanao
Banning of LGBTQ Cross-Dressing, for the Better or Not?
As society becomes more tolerant of the LGBTQ Community, there have been a
variety of ways to express one's gender over the years. One of these is cross-dressing, in
which a man or woman dresses themselves as the other sex. The right where we can freely
choose whatever clothing we would wear especially at public places has already been given
to us. Maguindanao, as a place with so much respect to their Islamic religious tradition has
imposed stricter measures against members of the LGBTQ Community regarding this issue
on November 21, 2022 which is the banning against LGBTQ cross-dressing as it is
considered inappropriate and disrespect to their religion. Penalties would include a warning
for the first offense and community service for the next one. Banning of the LBGTQ cross-
dressing in the town of Maguindanao must be fully implemented because it promotes the act
of being respectful to one’s religion such as Islam, promotes LGBTQ sector to be influential
by becoming a respectful professional, and still allows the LGBTQ community to live, do
business, and visit the municipality of Maguindanao.
According to Anwar Emblawa, executive secretary of the Shariff Aguak municipal
government, this move has been implemented to uphold and respect the Islamic religious
tradition propagated by their forebears (Sarmiento, 2022). Islam is the second largest religion
in the Philippines, and 94% of the country’s Muslim population is in Mindanao (Philippine
Statistics Authority, 2017). Islamic law forbids homosexual behavior, which is regarded as
haram in Muslim society. In response, Muslim parents frequently disown their LGBT kids.
The punishment for homosexuality is not specified in the Qur'an, despite the fact that it is
said to be evil and should be cured (Baizas, 2018). In addition, Emblawa also said that this
policy required women to wear hijab in public places (Sarmiento, 2022). Hijab is a head
covering worn by women of the Muslim faith as a symbol of modesty and religious devotion.
The word hijab derives from the Arabic word ''hajaba,'' meaning ''to conceal'' or ''hide.''
Customary usage of the hijab varies depending upon the Muslim culture in which it's used. In
less strict societies, women and young girls past puberty wear the hijab when in public or
when among men who are not directly related to them. In this usage, women might remove
the hijab when at home among their immediate family. Somewhat, stricter Muslim societies
prescribe the wearing of the hijab even when among women who are non-Muslim. Wearing
of the hijab is a sign of a woman's willing submission to sharia, or Islamic law and custom
(Kasza, 2022).
 LGBTQ Community deserves to be respected than being treated as a source of
entertainment or just a joke by other people. They are more than their gender. And gender
shouldn’t be an issue in the first place especially to those who wished to be influential and be
a respected professional as a member of the LGBT sector. All they asked for is to be
respected and treated fairly by us, we might just consider this only as a small request but for
them its more than enough. Cross-dressing should be a way for the LGBTQ Community to
express themselves, but instead of this, others might just consider this as their best
opportunity to mocked them for their gender. Just like what happened last September 28,
2022 where the men’s basketball team of De La Salle University (DLSU) was cross-dressing
and even have the courage to make a TikTok-inspired performance. It was perceived to be
insensitive to the LGBTQ Community. As what Escoto stated, we are free to dress however
we want, but people’s gender is not a source of entertainment. Not when so many people still
face discrimination for it (Dela Peña, 2022).
Emblawa also stated that banning the cross-dressing in Maguindanao doesn’t mean
that they will ban gays or lesbians from residing in or visiting their town. As a matter of fact,
members of the LGBTQ Community are welcome to live, do business and visit their
municipality. What they ban is for the gays to wear cross-dresses in public places. He also
added that gays can wear whatever they want inside their beauty parlors (Sarmiento, 2022)
So, as we can see banning the cross-dressing can’t really affect the means of living for those
members of LGBTQ Community. Thus, it will make them even more decent to look at if they
wear clothes that is appropriate to wear especially at public places.
However, if we think about it, making this kind of policy just means that LGBTQ
Community is still not fully accepted by the society especially to those who have strict
religious traditions. Cross-dressing is one of their best way in expressing themselves. Thus,
banning this can make a really big change on their lives as well as on our society.
Gender expression is as important as expressing ourselves. But considering all those
factors that can be accomplished in implementing the banning of cross-dressing in
Maguindanao, all of it is for the better not just for those who are part of the LGBTQ sector
but also for everyone that lives in a society full of judgment. In fact, there are still many ways
we can do in expressing our real self, not just by cross-dressing. Still, the most important
thing we can do is to respect each other. Because without it, all of this just makes no sense at
all. Respect is the best way to have a better and improved society.