Sari-Sari Selves: Identity Formation among Filipino Baklá Immigrants

Henry Miller
Mississippi State University

Background Results Clinical Relevance

• Filipinos are the third largest Asian American group
• 75% of first generation Filipino-Americans report that they • Understanding diverse gender identities
would not seek out mental health professionals in a time of Kolonyalismo Amerikanismo • Use of correct terminology
need. (Colonialism) (Americanism) • Cultural competence in academia and clinical practice
• A cultural gender expression, bakla, is common and accepted in • Western dualistic gender ideology • Individualism
the Philippines • Machismo culture • Consumer culture
• The use of non-indigenous, non-fitting western gender • Heteronormativity • Disparities in healthcare • Improved mental health care
terminology is being widely used by bakla. • Colonial Mentality • Politicalization of gender • Reduced stigma
• There is little research conducted on understanding the • Conservative gender views • Heteronormativity • Empowerment and validation
experiences of bakla in the United States • Objectification • Cultural preservation
Relihiyon
• Filipinos, both in the United States and the Philippines, are •
using Western terminology which does not properly fit the
(Religion)
•
Hyper-sexualization
Limited visibility of
Future Directions
• View that bakla are disordered
cultural views of identity. • Moral stigma minorities
• There is a major lack of research on the experiences of bakla • Advocacy and policy creation addressing the unique needs and
• Exclusionary practices Pagkakasundo rights of bakla immigrants.
Immigrants. • Lack of inclusive dialouge (Conformity) • Intersectional studies comparing the bakla identity to other
• Authenticity vs. Safety transnational identities and experiences.
Methodology Mga Pakiling sa Lipunan • Threat of rejection due to nonconformity • Longitudinal studies tracking identity formation in bakla individuals
and their acculturation process.
(Societal Prejudice) • Adoption of Western gender terminology • Comparison studies between bakla individuals in the Philippines
• Application of self-colonizing beliefs • Reorganization of values and bakla immigrants in the United States.
A literature review of historical documents, scholarly articles, and • Discrimination • Change in appropriate occupations
ethnographic studies was created to gather information on the bakla • Lack of acceptance of bakla • American Queer Culture
identity. The review served as a foundation for understanding •
existing knowledge gaps and explanations of the bakla identity.
Rejection of non-assimilation Conclusions
Pagpapantatili ng dalawahang • There is a need for a multicultural approach in understanding
gender-identities.
Precolonial Explanations Panlipunang Inaasahan Pagkakakilanlan
(Dual Identity Maintenance) • Cultural competence and sensitivity is necessary in a globalized
(Societal Expectations) world.
• Performance of specific occupations • Maintaining negotiated values
• Transnational Identity • Bakla identities are shaped by historical and social
“BA” “La” • Performance of cultured gender roles environments.
• Adherence to self-demeaning beliefs • Maintaining relationships with Filipinos
Femininity Masculinity • Same-sex sexual experiences are more common in people who
• Babae: woman • Lalaki: Man • Rejection of non-conformity are assigned male at birth in the Philippines, which differs from
“KA”
Connection of Two Spirits, Relationship Kaluluwa international trends
• Kapitbahay: Neighbor (Self-Identity) • Gender-identity manifests differently across cultures.
• Kabayan: Countryman • Inner strengths
• Resilience
• Authentic self-expression Additional Information
Sikolohiyang Pilipino Approach
Terminology Sources Pamphlet

LABÁS Kapwa
(Shared Identity)
(External) • Solidarity
Foreign Standards Authentic Self- • Mutual empathy
• Collective responsibility
Expression • Community Formation
• Cultural affirmation of gender expression

Literature Review
Kalikasan
(Interconnectedness)
Internalized Self Knowledge • Harmony with environment
Inferiority • Stewardship
•
LOÓB •
Communalism
Introspection
(Internal)
Chart taken from Tools for Liberation, Carl Cervantes (2024)