Case Study 2 – Life as a Gay man in Resettlement Site

Source: Life as a Gay man in Resettlement (Oxfam Philippines,2020). Retrieved from

https://philippines.oxfam.org/life-gay-man-resettlement-site

As LGBT persons, all we are asking for is equal treatment

– that we have access to goods and services which
the majority enjoys. - Arturo Golong

Note: Arturo shared his story to the Humanitarian Country Team and the Philippine INGO
Network in August 2016. In June 2016, Oxfam and the University of the Philippines
- Tacloban organised one of the biggest gatherings among LGBT persons and sexual
orientation and gender identity and expression (SOGIE) rights advocates dubbed as
“Boses Bahaghari.” This forum highlighted the challenges which LGBT persons
experienced in the aftermath of Haiyan. It also saw the participation of government
officials.

My name is Arturo Golong. I was born in Tacloban. My father is a fisherman, who used to rent boats
to fish, My mother is a housewife. I am the seventh of 10 siblings. Among us, it was me who worked to
bring food on the table. I have been working since I was nine years old, which is why I was not able to
finish even elementary. I sold kangkong to households raising pigs in their backyards. I also became a
household worker for another family. At that time, I was enrolled in a class on hair-dressing as well.
After finishing the course, I became a beautician.
Ever since I was a child, I have been experiencing different forms of discrimination. As a son, my
father was not very accepting of me but because I provided for them, I did not experience violence in
the same way other children did. My father appreciated what I was doing for the family. It was a
different scenario in school and outside the comforts of my own home. There were no blood relations
that could protect me. One teacher punished me because I was noisy. For my teacher, being noisy
equated to being gay and vice versa. I may have been noisy but I was not the only one. This also
happened at a time when people were not as tolerant of LGBT persons. So, among the noisy students,
my teacher picked me and asked me to stay under the sun near the flagpole for more than an hour. My
schoolmates taunted me. Some of them event hurt me while others just watched.
Life before Super Typhoon Haiyan, or Yolanda as it’s locally known, was relatively fine because I
was earning enough as a beautician. My parents and some siblings were dependent on me. I was also
considered a community leader in the neighborhood. After Haiyan, my life changed. We lost our home
and everything in it. My siblings who had their own families also lost their homes and other
possessions. My sister-in-law who was pregnant also died. Since I was the one staying with my parents,
I had to build a makeshift house before we were transferred to a transitional resettlement site. In that
site, I was considered a leader. I was usually the contact person of different organizations whenever they
had projects for the community. Despite being in this position, I still experienced different forms of
discrimination.
In disaster risk reduction management practices, I noticed that rescuers put gays as among the last
to be rescued. Even in trainings for residents in transitional resettlement sites, the gays were considered
the laughing stock. But I and two other gay men really wanted to learn precisely because we would like
to rescue gays who might be in situations of crisis. The trainers were mostly military personnel.
In transitional resettlement sites, there are households which are headed by same-sex couples. In
the site where I live, there are two couples who fear that they might not get a slot in the permanent
resettlement site. One of the criteria to get a slot is to belong to a family. But Philippine laws do not
allow same-sex couples to get married and their children are usually adopted.
There are members of the police force who are insensitive, if not abusive. When a friend was
accused of stealing somebody’s wallet while in a gathering and when we sought help from the police to
intervene, the police merely reinforced the accusation, saying that gays are thieves anyway. There was
another incident when a middle-aged gay man was assaulted by younger boys. The police just laughed
at him when he reported the incident.
In terms of livelihood, some donors tend to promote gender stereotypes. When one donor had a
livelihood project on fish caging, they sought the men in transitional resettlement sites. They
never knocked on my door and the doors of other gay men who were providing for their families.
Finally access to toilets and other water, sanitation and hygiene facilities is the most complicated
situation in transitional resettlement sites. Most gays and lesbians in the TRS do not know anymore
which one to use. When we go to the men’s toilet, people think that they are there as peeping toms.
But when we go to the women’s toilet, the other users become scared. So in these situations, we try to
go in groups or look for open spaces where there are enough trees to cover us.
Despite these discriminatory practices, I think there has been progress since we started talking
about these issues in the communities. I and my fellow LGBT persons have been invited in
consultations including those related to the proposed Anti-Discrimination ordinance of Tacloban. As
LGBT persons, all we are asking for is equal treatment - that we have access to goods and services
which the majority enjoys.
 Learning Activity Answer Sheet

Name : URIEL CARL G. ESPINAS Course/Year/Sectio: BSIT 1-E1 Date: 11/10/23

Instructors’ Name : _____________________ Score: ___________

Case Study: Life as a Gay man in Resettlement Site

o Introduction

The case study tells the life story of Arturo Golong, a gay man who lives in a TRS in
Tacloban, Philippines, following the damage caused by Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.
Arturo and other LGBT people experience hurdles and discrimination in the aftermath of the
disaster, as well as their attempts and goals to obtain equal treatment and access to products
and services, as highlighted in the case study. The case study also includes examples of
discriminatory behaviors that LGBT people face in a variety of areas of their lives, including
disaster risk reduction, livelihood, security, and water, sanitation, and hygiene. The case
study intends to raise awareness and advocate for LGBT people's challenges and rights in
humanitarian settings, as well as to promote their inclusion and participation in catastrophe
recovery and development processes.

o Analysis

The case study provides insight into the various factors that contribute to the
vulnerability and marginalization of LGBT people in the Temporary Resettlement Site
(TRS). One of these concerns is the lack of legal recognition and protection for same-sex
couples and their families, which affects their access to housing and benefits at the
resettlement site. Furthermore, widespread gender preconceptions among funders, service
providers, and authorities impede LGBT people's access to livelihood, education, and
training programs that fit their abilities and interests. Furthermore, maltreatment by some law
enforcement officers jeopardizes their safety and trust in the judicial system, while
discomfort when using facilities jeopardizes their health, dignity, and exposure to
harassment. Social stigma and exclusion from families and communities have an influence
on their mental health and self-identity.

However, the study also highlights positive indicators and potential for change. It
demonstrates Arturo's active involvement and leadership in community issues, proving their
agency in the TRS's rehabilitation and development. Arturo and other LGBT people's
participation in discussions with government officials and SOGIE (Sexual Orientation,
Gender Identity, and Expression) rights advocates gives a platform for them to express their
concerns and impact policies. Furthermore, the establishment and building of networks
among LGBT people and allies provide a forum for exchanging experiences, mutual support,
and empowerment, indicating possible growth and solidarity within the community.

o Proposed Solution

Implementing a thorough and inclusive program is one potential answer to the issues
experienced by LGBT individuals in the Temporary Resettlement Site (TRS). This program
would concentrate on several crucial points:

First, it would seek to promote understanding and capacity among service providers,
authorities, and community members regarding the ideas and rights of Sexual Orientation,
Gender Identity, and Expression (SOGIE). This teaching would emphasize the unique needs
and vulnerabilities of LGBT people in humanitarian situations.

Second, the initiative would aim to improve access to and the quality of critical
products and services for LGBT people. This includes housing, job prospects, education,
security, and access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. It is critical to emphasize
equality, nondiscrimination, and active participation values in order to ensure that these
services are inclusive and easily accessible.

Finally, the program would emphasize empowering advocacy and mobilization

initiatives among LGBT people and their allies. This is intended to make it easier for them to
demand and claim their rights and entitlements. Furthermore, it seeks to confront and modify
cultural norms and institutions that perpetuate oppression and exclusion, in order to build an
environment of inclusivity and equality.
o Recommendations

Several recommendations are aimed at efficiently implementing the proposed solution

within the Temporary Resettlement Site (TRS). To begin, it is critical to provide frequent and
participatory training sessions and orientations on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and
Expression (SOGIE) principles and rights to service providers, authorities, and community
members. These seminars should emphasize best practices and principles for providing
LGBT individuals with inclusive and respectful services and assistance.

Second, it is critical to develop open criteria and methods for allocating housing and
benefits inside the permanent resettlement site. These criteria should take into account and
accommodate the various preferences of LGBT people and their families.

Lastly, it is also critical to have a code of behavior for the police and military, as well
as a complaint and feedback process. This strives to hold them accountable for any violations
or abuses committed against LGBT people, while also offering safety and justice.