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Special Section LGBT psychology in the Philippines Eric Julian Manalastas & Beatriz A. Torre

This paper presents an account of the initial developments towards an LGBT psychology in the Philippines. We situate this on critical events leading to: (1) an official policy by the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) against anti-LGBT in 2011, the first in south-east Asia; and (2) the institutionalisation in 2014 of the PAP’s LGBT Psychology Special Interest Group. Organising efforts have focused in four areas: research, education, advocacy, and practice. National conferences have served as naturally occurring moments for mainstreaming and visibility within the profession. Research progress is evidenced by the publication in 2013 of a special LGBT issue of the Philippine Journal of Psychology. Education efforts have involved teaching an undergraduate elective on LGBT psychology, training of psychology teachers to integrate sexual and gender diversity, and conduct of ‘LGBT Psych 101’ seminars. Advocacy has focused on ‘giving away’ LGBT psychology through engagement with the activist community, media, and support for anti-discrimination legislation. Finally, initial work in professional practice has been around raising awareness of LGBT issues in counselling. We reflect on these initial successes and present lessons learned as well as next steps for the development of an LGBT-inclusive psychology in south-east Asia. Keywords: Philippines; professional organising; LGBT psychology.

UCH CAN BE DONE within the years. We begin with critical events from field of psychology to advance the 2009–2011 in Philippine society that led the Mhuman rights and wellbeing of Psychological Association of the Philippines , , bisexual, and (PAP) to adopt a landmark policy resolution (LGBT) individuals, , and communi- on LGBT nondiscrimination, the first of its ties. The Philippine case is no exception. As kind by a professional mental associa- a developing country with a long history of tion in south-east Asia. A discussion of the colonisation under Spanish and US regimes on-going initiatives and early results building often considered the largest predominantly on this enabling policy platform follows, conservative Roman Catholic nation in Asia, including the founding of the PAP’s LGBT where same-sex marriage, Psychology Special Interest Group and our recognition, sex work, abortion, and even work in the fourfold areas of research, heterosexual divorce remain illegal, the education, advocacy, and practice. Finally, we Philippines appears to be an unlikely envi- conclude with lessons learned thus far as well ronment for fostering inclusion, affirmation, as reflections on challenges ahead for LGBT and activism for gender and sexual minori- psychology in the Philippine context. ties within psychology. Despite these contextual factors, we will The Philippine context: An LGBT- tell a story of the initial gains and successes friendly country in south-east Asia? made within Philippine psychology towards The Philippines is one of many archipelagic positive engagement of countries in maritime south-east Asia. Classi- and gender diversity. This paper aims to fied by the World Bank (2015) as a lower- provide a narrative account, based on our middle-income economy, a quarter (25.2 per perspectives as insiders, on the progress and cent) of the population of 100.1 million developments of an LGBT-inclusive psycho- Filipinos currently live below the national logy in the Philippines over the past five poverty threshold (defined as living on less

60 Psychology of Sexualities Review, Vol. 7, No. 1, Spring 2016 © The British Psychological Society LGBT psychology in the PhilippTinitelse than PhP8,778 or GBP 131.51 per month). for LGBT rights and equality is alive and well Filipinos, as a culture, have experienced a (UNDP, USAID, 2014). Within this backdrop long history of colonial rule under Spain, came one critical event in 2009, when a spanning the 16th to the 19th century, collective of LGBT Filipinos filed a petition followed by US occupation from 1898 to to run for a seat in the party-list system of the 1946. One of the lasting influences of the legislature under the banner of a political Spanish regime was in terms of religion – the party called Ang Ladlad (a Tagalog phrase Philippines, along with East Timor, remains meaning ‘those who are out or openly one of two majority Roman Catholic coun- LGBT’). Their petition was disapproved by tries in Asia, with 80.6 per cent of Filipinos the Commission on Elections, who, citing belonging to the Roman Catholic Church. verses from the Catholic Bible as well as the Although the Philippine Constitution guar- Quran, declared that Ang Ladlad, being antees separation of state and church, public composed of LGBT Filipinos, advocated debates and legal policies on a range of ‘immoral doctrines’ and represented a social issues are often highly influenced by threat to ‘the wellbeing of the greater religious fundamentalism and Roman number of our people, especially the youth’ Catholic morality (Ruiz Austria, 2004). (Commission on Elections, 2009). Same-sex marriage, gender identity recogni- Along with other concerned Filipino tion, sex work, and abortion are all illegal. psychologists, we requested that the Psycho- Only in 2012 did the Philippine parliament logical Association of the Philippines (PAP), pass a highly contested law for reproductive our national professional organisation, issue health, including access to contraceptives a public statement concerning the Commis- and sexuality education in primary and sion on Elections’ ruling, particularly its secondary schools, after more than a decade claim that gender and sexual minorities in the legislature and a culture war that somehow threaten people’s wellbeing, pitted progressives and the women’s move- including the wellbeing of young people. ment with the local Roman Catholic bishops’ The PAP refused. Officials from PAP offered hierarchy. And heterosexual divorce still regrets, citing the absence of an institutional remains illegal in the Philippines; the only mechanism to engage in public interest other country that does not allow divorce is matters despite it being part of the PAP’s the ecclesiastical state of the Vatican. mission statement. More internal lobbying Despite the overall social and sexual ensued, and in February, 2010, the PAP conservatism in Filipino culture (Widmer, board formally instituted its Public Interest Treas & Newcomb, 1998), the Philippines is Committee, patterned after the American often considered one of the more LGBT- Psychological Association’s Public Interest friendly countries in south-east Asia. Despite Directorate, as a mechanism to address the centuries of colonial rule, same-sex sexual public on matters of social justice (J.E.G. behaviour has never been criminalised, Saplala, personal communication, 24 March, unlike in neighbouring Malaysia and Singa- 2010). pore. Indigenous constructions of gender At the same time, the Supreme Court of diversity that blend same-sex sexuality and the Philippines had taken on the case of Ang transgenderism exist and are widely known Ladlad. It eventually overturned the ruling (Garcia, 2013), such as bakla and bayot, terms of the Commission on Elections, paving the in the Tagalog and Bisaya languages that may way for the LGBT party’s participation in the refer to either same-sex attracted men, espe- May 2010 national elections. Although a cially feminine gay men, or to male-to-female public statement from PAP became moot at transgender individuals (Nadal & Corpus, this point, LGBT issues had come to the 2013). Pride events were celebrated as early attention of the Philippine’s national as the mid-1990s, and civil society organising psychology organisation in a way it never had

Psychology of Sexualities Review, Vol. 7, No. 1, Spring 2016 61 AEruicth Jourl inaanm Me analastas & Beatriz A. Torre before. And there was a positive change Tagalog was drafted and approved in within PAP’s organisational structure high- November, 2014, and subsequently lighting the importance of ‘psychology in published online1. To date, this policy is the the public interest’ (Brewster Smith, 1990), only official document of the PAP available which would be instrumental in laying the in official bilingual versions, in English and foundation for LGBT psychology in the in Tagalog. Philippines soon thereafter. The policy statement, the first of its kind by a professional association Foundations: The PAP (2011) LGBT in Asia, affirms the inherent dignity and Non-discrimination Policy Resolution equality of individuals who are lesbian, gay, The PAP’s commitment to social justice and bisexual, and transgender, as well as their LGBT inclusion was tested in February 2011, right to be free from discrimination on the when a popular morning television talk show basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, called ‘Umagang Kay Ganda’ ran a segment and (SOGIE). The policy on lesbian and gay children, featuring a also affirms that same-gender sexual orienta- Filipino clinical psychologist as a guest tions are a healthy, non-disordered variant of expert. Asked how parents should respond , love, and relationships – to having a lesbian or gay , this PAP- a position made as early as 1973 by the certified psychologist advised conversion American Psychiatric Association and therapy in order to achieve a ‘happy supported by a global network of mental life’. The PAP received letters and calls from health professionals including the American concerned members of the public, including Psychological Association, the British a formal ethics complaint against the Psychological Society, and the World Health psychologist in question, which could not Organisation. have been possible prior to 2010, the year This policy statement also laid out a when the PAP formulated its ethics code. number of action steps to ensure the In response to this critical incident and as advancement of LGBT rights and welfare a way to address matters related to sexual within Philippine psychology. The PAP’s orientation and gender diversity in a commitments are outlined as follows: broader, more systematic way, the PAP board 1. Oppose discrimination on the basis of directed its Public Interest Committee to actual or perceived sexual orientation, come up with a document that would go gender identity and expression; beyond one incident in the media. In 2. Support the repeal of discriminatory laws October, 2011, the PAP board approved a and policies and the passage of legisla- landmark policy resolution on LGBT non- tion at the local and national levels that discrimination. The resolution was protects the rights and promotes the published in the Philippine Journal of Psycho- welfare of people of all sexual orienta- logy, the flagship journal of the profession in tions and gender identities and expres- the country, in December, 2011, and widely sions; disseminated to PAP members nationwide, 3. Eliminate anti-LGBT stigma and discrim- through the organisation’s official mailing ination in teaching, research, psycholog- list and website, as well as in print form ical interventions, assessment, and other during subsequent PAP conferences. At the psychological programs; suggestion of LGBT advocates working with 4. Encourage psychological research that communities where (unlike in Philippine addresses the needs and concerns of psychology as a profession), English is not a LGBT Filipinos and their families and primary language used, a translation into communities;

1 http://www.pap.org.ph/?ctr=page&action=resources

62 Psychology of Sexualities Review, Vol. 7, No. 1, Spring 2016 LGBT psychology in the PhilippTinitelse

5. Disseminate and apply accurate, ● An organisational structure to co-ordi- evidence-based information about sexual nate activities among Filipino psycho- orientation and gender identity and logists and with external stakeholders expression to design interventions that such as media and the LGBT activist foster mental health and wellbeing of community. LGBT Filipinos. ● Locally contextualised, broadly accessible In order to ensure the organisation’s information resources. commitments to advance LGBT rights and To address these needs, we borrowed lessons wellbeing, the PAP formed a partnership from initiatives using the framework of with the LGBT Concerns Office of the gender mainstreaming and development American Psychological Association’s Public (Daly, 2005; Moser & Moser, 2005). Adapted Interest Directorate. The APA’s LGBT to LGBT psychology, mainstreaming here is Concerns Office provides technical assis- said to unfold in three stages, beginning with tance and support for capacity-building and the adoption of SOGIE terminology and the LGBT mainstreaming within PAP and in the language of LGBT inclusion, followed by larger Philippine psychology professional putting in place policies related to LGBT community, with the two of us (Eric inclusion, and finally, implementation. Manalastas and Beatriz Torre) as co-ordina- Mainstreaming, as an approach, refers to tors. In 2012, the PAP became the first Asian creating change within existing structures, member of the International Psychology processes, and practices to achieve a vision, Network for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans- rather than carving out entirely new spaces gender and Intersex Issues (IPsyNET), and perpetuate marginalisation. Main- followed by the Hong Kong Psychological streaming involves closing the gap between Society in 2013. mainstream psychology and LGBT psycho- logy, such that LGBT lives and experiences Mapping out needs and entry points are understood using the tools and frames of within Philippine psychology psychological science and practice and at the The policy foundations in place, the two of same time, psychology’s theories, evidence us in collaboration with like-minded base, and professional practice are trans- colleagues set out to work towards a partic- formed by knowledge contributions from ular vision of change – to build a Philippine LGBT voices and perspectives (Goldfried, psychology that advances LGBT human 2001). rights and wellbeing. With previous training To implement the PAP policy, we identi- and exposure to LGBT psychology (Eric fied four areas of activity by Filipino psychol- participated in the 1st International LGBT ogists. These activities are: (1) research; (2) Psychology Summer Institute at the Univer- education; (3) outreach; and (4) profes- sity of Michigan Ann Arbor in 2008, while sional practice. First, Filipino psychologists Beatriz was a participant in the second Insti- conduct research and produce new scientific tute in 2010), we realised that an important knowledge related to human behaviour, sub-goal to achieve our vision was to build affect, and cognition (Bernardo, 1997). Our capacity in a larger number of Filipino flagship peer-reviewed journal, the Philippine psychologists to engage LGBT concerns. Journal of Psychology, is published twice a year, Specifically, we identified the following in English, by the PAP. Second, Filipino needs in a preliminary scoping of the state of psychologists teach – in higher education, in LGBT psychology in the Philippines: training contexts, and even in basic educa- ● A visible network of Filipino researchers, tion (Teh, 2012). Classroom-based as well as practitioners, and psychology profes- non-traditional teaching is an important sionals engaged in LGBT psychology. activity of many Filipino psychologists; for

Psychology of Sexualities Review, Vol. 7, No. 1, Spring 2016 63 AEruicth Jourl inaanm Me analastas & Beatriz A. Torre some it may well be their primary profes- have been relegated to a generic ‘gender’ or sional activity. Third, outreach – which even ‘sexual behaviour’ session, now we are encompasses extension services to the strengthening the practice of staking out public, policy-related activities such as LGBT-specific spaces and sessions in these legislative advocacy, and connecting to research-related events. media and other platforms for public educa- Beyond conference programming, we tion (Estrada Claudio, 2012). Finally, profes- have begun making contributions via sional practice – perhaps the quintessential peer-reviewed research publications. In and certainly the most direct form of service December, 2013, a special issue of the Philip- conducted by psychologists, especially those pine Journal of Psychology (PJP) dedicated to coming from subfields like clinical LGBT psychology was published. In keeping psychology and counselling (Carandang, with the spirit of capacity-building, we organ- 2012; Tuason et al., 2011). ised a two-day residential writing workshop Using this framework and armed with the for prospective contributors, facilitated by a PAP policy, we initiated LGBT inclusion former PJP editor. After peer review by efforts across these four interconnected invited international referees, the issue came spheres of activity. We discuss some of the out featuring nine original articles by initial successes along those four areas. Filipino LGBT psychologists, most of whom were publishing LGBT work for the first Research time. The issue included a review of Filipino In terms of knowledge production, we iden- LGBT psychology (Ofreneo, 2013) and eight tified the need for more research on Filipino empirical research papers on Filipino sexual LGBT lives and experiences. Since 2010, we and polyculturalist beliefs have organised dedicated LGBT program- (Bernardo, 2013), transnegativity in the ming in the annual conferences of the PAP Philippines (Macapagal, 2013), gay children and of the other national association in in conflict with the law (Villafuerte, 2013), psychology, the Pambansang Samahan sa sexual roles among Filipino gay men Sikolohiyang Pilipino (PSSP), a smaller but (Muyargas, 2013), stories of equally active organisation dedicated to Waray youth (Docena, 2013), friendships advancing indigenous and cultural between women and gay men (Torre & psychology in the Philippines. In the 2010 Manalastas, 2013), dynamics of Filipino PAP conference, for example, two sympo- lesbian and gay couples (Kintanar, 2013), sium sessions carried the phrase LGBT and media-based interventions to reduce psychology for the first time in their titles: homonegativity (Clemente, Billedo & David, ‘LGBT Psychology 1: Filipino Lesbian and 2013). The issue sold out in two months – Gay Identities and Relationships’ and ‘LGBT the second time in PJP history – and is now Psychology 2: Issues and Applications’ and on its second printing. Plans are now featured three papers each. In the same year, underway to produce a second special issue a symposium titled ‘Sikolohiyang on LGBT psychology. This is scheduled to (Psychology) LGBT’ was part of the PSSP come out in 2016. conference. The goal here has been to ensure Education that LGBT concerns have a visible place Psychology is a duly recognised major in in convention programming, where universities in the Philippines, according to researchers, students, and psychologists can the Commission on Higher Education (Cue, attend and hear empirical work being 2015; Teh, 2012). As a popular choice conducted in the Philippines about Filipino among undergraduate students, psychology LGBT matters (Ofreneo, 2013). Whereas in teaching offers an important site for LGBT the past, any paper on an LGBT topic would inclusion as well as possible exclusion and

64 Psychology of Sexualities Review, Vol. 7, No. 1, Spring 2016 LGBT psychology in the PhilippTinitelse perpetuation of misinformation about training package, with common core sexual orientation, gender identity, and messaging (depathologisation, anti-LGBT gender expression. stigma, and minority stress), suggested There are two approaches for making learning activities, and audiovisual support LGBT topics visible in the psychology materials that is suitable for delivery to a curriculum: (1) integration into existing wide range of public audiences other than courses; and (2) development and delivery psychology classrooms. In May, 2013, in part- of stand-alone courses on LGBT psychology. nership with the Ateneo de Manila Univer- Initiatives by individual faculty for integra- sity’s Social Psychology Action Research tion of LGBT topics in psychology courses Laboratory and the University of the Philip- exist in the Philippines. Teachers in public, pines Centre for Women’s Studies, we State-run universities like the Polytechnic designed and conducted a two-day national University of the Philippines incorporate facilitators training workshop on conducting LGBT topics in their curriculum. Individual LGBT Psych 101. The objective of this faculty from private, Catholic universities activity was to create a pool of talent of also ensure LGBT inclusion in their courses Filipino psychologists with the knowledge, (e.g. graduate and undergraduate seminars skills, and efficacy to run the public educa- in gender and sexuality at the Ateneo de tion module and ‘give LGBT psychology Manila University, a Jesuit school in Manila). away’. Eighteen participants from 16 At the De La Salle University Manila, junior different universities participated, with a faculty have begun to include sexual orienta- commitment to conduct at least two LGBT tion and gender diversity in courses like Psych 101 sessions within six months of the introductory psychology and developmental workshop. This strategy led to the immediate psychology. Though not focusing exclusively delivery of the module for diverse audiences on LGBT topics, the courses taught by these such as the Philippine National Police, the Filipino psychologists weave in LGBT Department of Education, groups, concerns and examples in otherwise main- local HIV organisations, school based coun- stream psychology content. sellors, not to mention the 16 academic insti- A case example of a stand-alone course is tutions of the trainees. an undergraduate special topics elective first designed and taught at the University of the Outreach Philippines Diliman entitled ‘LGBT Outside of research and teaching, psycholo- Psychology’. This twice-a-week course, which gists can play a role in broader efforts to was first offered in 2010 and has been avail- promote social change and wellbeing, an able for nine semesters running, focuses approach sometimes called psychology in exclusively on LGBT issues in psychology, the public interest (Brewster Smith, 1990). including topics such as coming out and These can include psychology experts sexual development, stigma and discrimina- sharing knowledge to inform policymakers, tion, LGBT health, intersectionality, homo- engaging media on issues of human behav- parentality, politics, faith and religion, iour, and taking principled and formal and issues in conducting LGBT research stands on pressing social issues where (Manalastas, 2015). This course has been psychological expertise, broadly defined, can recently replicated in two other parts of the contribute in debate and decision-making country, at the University of the Philippines (Cohen, Lee & McIlwraith, 2012). Tacloban and at the University of the Philip- As a consequence of its LGBT-affirmative pines Miag-ao beginning 2014. policy, the PAP sent an official letter of Outside formal classroom contexts, we support in August, 2012, for a proposed ordi- developed a public education module we nance on non-discrimination being debated call ‘LGBT Psych 101’. This is a flexible at the council of Cebu City, the second most

Psychology of Sexualities Review, Vol. 7, No. 1, Spring 2016 65 AEruicth Jourl inaanm Me analastas & Beatriz A. Torre populous metropolitan area in the country programmes (Cue, 2015). A number of indi- and an important centre of politics, trade, vidual psychology practitioners have begun and culture in the southern Philippines. to incorporate an LGBT-affirmative lens in This was the very first time the PAP, as an their practice, especially in working with institution, engaged in legislative advocacy clients who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or in relation to one of its policy statements. In transgender. Since the 1990s, Margarita his sponsorship speech, the main proponent Go-Singco Holmes has pioneered sexuality- of the bill cited the PAP’s policy resolution; affirmative clinical practice in Philippine the proposed ordinance was passed unani- psychology and has written extensively on mously shortly thereafter. her experiences, often having been the lone Aside from engaging policy and political voice in the field for many years (Holmes, institutions, attempts have also been made to 1993, 2005). LGBT-affirmative counselling is include LGBT issues in psychological forays now being offered by individual practi- into media. Through a column for the tioners (Ofreneo, 2010), while some have online news portal Interaksyon.com, Filipino presented work on gay-affirmative therapy at LGBT psychologists have written a number the PAP conference (Kintanar & Rodriguez, of popular articles, for example, on lesbian 2011). Some school-based counsellors, for and gay parents (Rosales Parr, 2013). One instance, at the University of the East and the notable use of this online space was to Ramon Magsaysay (Cubao) High School, respond to a highly circulated column piece both in Manila, have also been supporting in February, 2013, written by one local LGBT students via their institutions’ guid- celebrity-mother on the topic of LGBT ance and counselling programmes. children (Bersola-Babao, 2013). The writer Many opportunities to inform and interviewed a clinical psychologist who, improve psychological practice with LGBT upon being asked for the appropriate populations exist, especially in contexts response to a child who may be lesbian or where there is a need to transform and gay, remarked: ‘Arrest the situation. But redress silences regarding sexual and gender most parents encourage the situation. Let’s diversity (Nel, 2014; Tuason et al., 2011). be moral in making the child understand the One important avenue for future work is the situation. We tell our child, “Anak, mali ito” development of local practice guidelines for [Son/daughter, this is wrong].’ working with LGBT people, akin to what has The PAP immediately issued a statement been established in other countries like the contesting the view that children who are gay US (American Psychological Association, or lesbian are somehow inferior, affirming 2012) and the UK (British Psychological the position of the profession that being gay Society, 2012). Presently, there are no prac- is non-pathological (PAP, 2013). A counter- tice guidelines of any sort in Philippine piece, written by developmental psychologist psychology, though there are initiatives to and parenting researcher (Peña-Alampay, develop a framework in the context of 2013), emphasising autonomy support and disaster mental health and psychosocial warmth for all children, including LGBT services, which may also serve as a possible children, was published within days of the entry point for LGBT inclusion in the future original piece. (McSherry et al., 2014). The absence of more general clinical practice guidelines in Professional practice Philippine psychology appears to be one Professional psychological practice in the perceived barrier for the development Philippines is composed of three streams of of more population-specific guidelines interrelated activity: psychological assess- (A.S. Alianan Jr., personal communication, ment, psychotherapy, and design and 6 March, 2014), so a more integrationist delivery of counselling psychological approach, such as supporting the creation of

66 Psychology of Sexualities Review, Vol. 7, No. 1, Spring 2016 LGBT psychology in the PhilippTinitelse general guidelines for clinical practice and ‘coming out party’ in March, 2014, the ensuring LGBT-inclusivity may be a possible special interest group, through a one-day first step. strategic planning exercise, formalised its Another avenue of work in this area is to mission statement: investigate the prevalence of psychologists We are the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and engaged in SOCE (sexual orientation Transgender (LGBT) Psychology Special change efforts), also known as conversion or Interest Group of the Psychological Asso- reparative therapies (APA Task Force on ciation of the Philippines. We build an Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to LGBT-inclusive psychology in the Philip- Sexual Orientation, 2009). Little is known pines by developing the capacity of about the extent of this unethical practice in psychologists and allied professionals to the Philippines, though anecdotal reports engage in research, education, advocacy, suggest that some practitioners, especially and practice for LGBT rights and well- those from an anti-LGBT faith-based tradi- being (Agana, 2014, p.4). tion, may be offering some form of it Under the banner of the special interest (Estrada Claudio, 2012; Holmes, 2005). group and in partnership with activist colleagues, we have conducted more Strength in numbers capacity building activities such as a Three years after the PAP’s non-discrimina- teachers’ workshop on supervising under- tion policy, we achieved a milestone in graduate LGBT research in January, 2015, addressing the need for a visible network of and a second national facilitators’ training Filipino researchers, practitioners, and workshop on conducting LGBT Psych 101 psychology professionals engaged in LGBT attended by another 18 participants in April, psychology. In January, 2014, the PAP 2015. Aside from internal capacity building, approved the creation of the LGBT our special interest group has also repre- Psychology Interest Group, the first and only sented the profession of psychology exter- official collective of psychologists and allied nally in LGBT community events, such as the mental health professionals in south-east 2014 Pride celebration in Quezon City, and Asia working for LGBT rights and wellbeing. in roundtable discussions, fora, and civil This organisational structure, instituted as a society meetings related to LGBT rights permanent arm of the national association, advocacy organised by groups like the was designed to co-ordinate activities among ASEAN SOGIE Caucus, ISEAN Hivos, Filipino psychologists and with external UNDP, and USAID. stakeholders such as media and the LGBT activist community, to fill in the gaps we Lessons learned so far identified at the beginning of our work in Some lessons can be gleaned from our work building capacity for Philippine LGBT in the past five years of building LGBT psychology. And as there is no formal mech- psychology in the Philippines. These insights anism within PAP for monitoring progress are necessarily tentative and may not apply on the commitments outlined in the 2011 directly to the challenge of LGBT inclusion policy, the special interest group, since its in other countries, especially contexts with inception, has also acted in this capacity. highly developed professional psychology Though originally a small circle – we began associations or extremely hostile, anti-LGBT with 10 like-minded Filipino psychologists in social climates. Nonetheless the initial gains our original proposal for formal recogni- in the Philippine psychology landscape have tion – we have since grown to more than 50 lead us to a number of reflections that could active members, including affiliates from serve as suggestions for others interested in other south-east Asian countries like Thai- initiating similar work. Here we discuss land, Malaysia, and Singapore. After a three.

Psychology of Sexualities Review, Vol. 7, No. 1, Spring 2016 67 AEruicth Jourl inaanm Me analastas & Beatriz A. Torre

First, assemble a core of like-minded finance officers, expressed appreciation for talent. An individual, lone wolf approach is the learning opportunity, which we later difficult to sustain. Prior to 2009, individual discovered was the very first time they were psychologists like Mira Ofreneo (2003) and provided with such a professional develop- Margarita Go-Singco Holmes (1993, 2005) ment event. Some remarked that it was the had already attempted to begin conversa- first time they met an out transgender tions around and Philippine woman, and one staff member even took the psychology. But given the tendency in main- opportunity to come out as a gay man. stream psychology to perceive LGBT issues Third, focus on the unique contribution as peripheral or too specialised (Goldfried, of LGBT psychology to advocacy efforts. In 2001), coming together to gather strength in country contexts where mental health diversity and in numbers greatly benefits the professions are marginal and developing cause of LGBT inclusion within the profes- (World Health Organisation, 2009), even sion, based on our experience from 2010 local LGBT activist communities may not onwards. We were conducting informal side make the connections between , meetings for four years during the annual LGBT rights, and wellbeing. LGBT psycholo- PAP conferences, asking individuals we knew gists can provide a language, one based on personally to be LGBT or allies to attend, scientific research, to combat inaccurate before we were able to gather enough social beliefs about LGBT people and to people ready and willing to put their names offer another argument – one based on the on a formal request for the institution of the interplay of enjoyment of rights, health, and LGBT Psychology Special Interest Group. In wellbeing – for political projects like non- hindsight, those meetings and interactions discrimination (Morin & Rothblum, 1991). were helpful in building trust and collective This strategy, called ‘facting’ by one LGBT readiness that we needed to move forward as psychologist leader (Pope, 2012), is impor- a fledgling organisation (De Vita, Fleming & tant because psychology, psychiatry, and Twombly, 2001). other mental health professions have long Second, obtain support and legitimacy. histories of being used as one of three insti- Support here refers to the buy-in of the rele- tutional instruments of anti-LGBT stigma, vant internal authorising body, in this case, alongside religion and the law. In the Philip- the PAP leadership, while legitimacy refers to pines, local activists are now empowered to recognition and backing by the external call upon psychologist voices in addressing community of stakeholders, such as the persistent beliefs that link sexual orientation LGBT activist community and other LGBT and gender diversity to pathology. psychology collectives (Moore, 2013). Both internal and external linkages are critical to Next steps achieve the objective of closing the gap During the strategic planning exercise of the between mainstream and LGBT psychologies PAP’s LGBT Psychology Special Interest (Goldfried, 2001). One concrete example of Group, we identified the following strategic an activity we initiated to this end was a half- objectives for the coming five years (Agana, day, no-cost workshop on LGBT psychology 2014, p.7): for the administrative staff of the PAP in ● Achieve a critical mass of members 2013. We ran our LGBT Psych 101 module nationwide. and invited two prominent LGBT activists to ● Influence other PAP divisions and tell their stories, speak about their work, and interest groups to be more LGBT-inclu- engage the PAP staff on how the LGBT sive. community would benefit from engagements ● Become the country’s foremost provider by psychologists and mental health profes- of evidence-based knowledge resources sionals. The staff, including secretaries and on LGBT psychology

68 Psychology of Sexualities Review, Vol. 7, No. 1, Spring 2016 LGBT psychology in the PhilippTinitelse

● Gain recognition internationally for and in the ASEAN (Cue, 2015). The spectre our contributions to LGBT-affirmative of and the complexities research, education, advocacy, and prac- of sexual orientation change efforts deliv- tice. ered in the context of faith-based or pastoral These four goals represent our aspirations as counselling locally remain and need to be a collective in the short term. We hope to confronted once and for all. Pressing inter- increase our numbers, in order to include sectional issues such as gender-based more voices and perspectives, as well as our especially among sexual and reach, to go beyond what is sometimes gender-minority women demand attention, referred to as ‘imperial Manila’ (the obser- and in the absence of feminist organising in vation that professional activities, opportuni- Philippine psychology – there is no PAP divi- ties, and resources often centre in urban sion or special interest group on the areas, particularly in the nation’s capital). psychology of women or gender – concerned Following our approach of mainstreaming, members of our collective have been taking bringing our message of inclusivity to the up the cudgels (PAP, 2014). Engagement of other divisions and interest groups is an issues not yet part of our conversations in important target, in order to avoid ghettoisa- Philippine psychology and in LGBT rights tion. We also aim to continue giving LGBT organising in the Philippines, such as the psychology away by creating and dissemi- experiences of intersex people, needs to nating scientific evidence on Filipino LGBT happen. Finally, with the filing of a compre- lives and experiences towards our vision of hensive mental health bill in the Philippine equal rights and wellbeing for LGBT legislature, outreach to the other local Filipinos. Finally, we wish to share our expe- mental health professionals such as psychia- riences, challenges, and ongoing lessons as a trists, social worker, and guidance counsel- collective beyond the shores of our archi- lors will be important in the years to come. pelago, to provide a model of how LGBT psychology can grow and flourish in a devel- Conclusion oping, postcolonial nation in the global LGBT psychology has come to south-east south. Asia. Our work in mainstreaming LGBT Many exciting challenges, both internal issues in Philippine psychology – via and external, lie ahead for LGBT psychology research, education, advocacy, and practice – in the Philippines. Some of the challenges are in early development, but the ground are the same challenges faced in Philippine work is on-going and there are initial psychology in general, including the scarcity successes to be celebrated. There is much of human resources particularly in the very opportunity for psychologists in the Philip- low number of psychologists available to pines to make our profession truly advancing Filipinos, LGBT or otherwise, who need of the rights and wellbeing of all Filipinos, services (estimated to be only 0.14 psycholo- across the spectrum of gender identities and gist per 100,000 citizens in the population; sexual orientations. WHO, 2009), as well as barriers to health care delivery partly due to Asian cultural Acknowledgements: values and belief-systems that stigmatise Previous versions of this paper were mental health care seeking (David, 2010). presented as part of a special symposium Capacity building in the four key result areas titled ‘Toward LGBT-Affirmative Psychology continues; we want to strengthen, in partic- in Asia: Attitudes, Mental Health Issues, and ular, the practice pillar which so far has Capacity Building’ at the 2013 Annual received the least attention, especially in the Convention of the American Psychological context of increasing state regulation of Association, Hawaii, US, 31 July to 4 August, professional psychology in the Philippines 2013, and as part of a special symposium

Psychology of Sexualities Review, Vol. 7, No. 1, Spring 2016 69 AEruicth Jourl inaanm Me analastas & Beatriz A. Torre titled ‘Equal Human Rights, Wellbeing, and Correspondence Sexuality: Initiatives by south-east Asian Eric Julian Manalastas is a junior faculty Psychologists and Mental Health Profes- member at the Department of Psychology at sionals Working with LGBT Populations’ at the University of the Philippines Diliman, the 3rd International Conference on where he teaches an undergraduate course Human Rights and Peace & Conflict in in LGBT psychology. He is founding co-ordi- south-east Asia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, nator of the LGBT Psychology Special 15–16 October 2014. We acknowledge the Interest Group of the Psychological Associa- support of Clinton Anderson PhD, Ron tion of the Philippines. His research interests Schlittler MIPP, J. Enrique Saplala PhD, Ma. include homonegativity, friendships across Caridad Tarroja PhD, Ma. Regina sexual orientation, and sexual minority Hechanova PhD, Angela V. Regala PhD, health. Allan B.I. Bernardo PhD, Mira Alexis Email:[email protected] Ofreneo PhD, Jay A. Yacat MA, and the members of the PAP’s LGBT Psychology Beatriz A. Torre is a lecturer at the Depart- Special Interest Group. ment of Psychology at the University of the Philippines Diliman. She is also the co- co-ordinator of the LGBT Psychology Special Interest Group of the Psychological Associa- tion of the Philippines. Her research inter- ests include everyday sexism and friendships across sexual orientation, as well as exercise participation and motivation. Email: [email protected]

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