I am happy and
proud of the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) – to which I
am a member – for their recent statement on non-discrimination based on sexual
orientation, gender identity, and expression! This is both a historic event for
Philippine psychology and for Filipino LGBTs.
I was part of the
consultation with other LGBT and non-LGBT psychologists but it was Eric JulianManalastas who gave his body and soul to it (no pun directed). Thank you, Eric
– you are really a king (or queen, whatever you prefer) in LGBT psychology!
You can check the
PAP’s statement in their News and Updates section of their website.
Or, you can just
read on.
Statement of
the Psychological Association of the Philippines on Non Discrimination
Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression
Lesbian,
gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Filipinos continue to experience stigma,
prejudice, and discrimination in Philippine society. This stigma is manifested
in actions such as: bullying, teasing, and harassment of LGBT children and adolescents
in families, schools, and communities; media portrayal of LGBTs as frivolous,
untrustworthy, and even dangerous or predatory; denying transgender Filipinos
entry into commercial establishments; pigeonholing LGBT Filipinos into
particularly limited roles and occupations; or curtailing their rights to
participate in the political sphere.
LGBT
Filipinos often confront social pressures to hide, suppress or even attempt to
change their identities and expressions as conditions for their social acceptance
and enjoyment of rights. Although many LGBTs learn to cope with this social
stigma, these experiences can cause serious psychological distress, including
immediate consequences such as fear, sadness, alienation, anger, and internalized
stigma (Hatzenbuehler, 2009; Meyer, 2003). This anti-LGBT prejudice and
discrimination tend to be based on a rhetoric of moral condemnation and are
fueled by ignorance or unfounded beliefs associating these gender expressions
and sexual orientations with psychopathology or maladjustment.
However,
decades of scientific research have led mental health professional organizations
worldwide to conclude that lesbian, gay, and bisexual orientations are normal
variants of human sexuality. These
include: the American Psychiatric Association in 1973, the American
Psychological Association in 1975, British Psychological Society, the Colombian
Society of Psychology, Psychological Society of South Africa, the Australian
Psychological Society, and the International Network on Lesbian, Gay, and
Bisexual Concerns and Transgender Issues in Psychology, among others.
The
Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) aligns itself with the
global initiatives to remove the stigma of mental illness that has long been
associated with diverse sexualities and to promote the wellbeing of LGBT
people. Moreover, the PAP Code of Ethics (2010) is clear in its stance against
discrimination. Filipino psychologists are called upon to recognize the unique
worth and inherent dignity of all human beings; and to respect the diversity
among persons and peoples (Principle I, a and b). This means that Filipino psychologists should
not discriminate against or demean persons based on actual or perceived
differences in characteristics including gender identity and sexual orientation
(Ethical Standard III-A and C; V-B.8).
In
order to eliminate stigma, prejudice, discrimination and violence against LGBT,
the PAP resolves to support efforts to:
• oppose all public and private discrimination on
the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, and
expression;
• repeal discriminatory laws and policies, and
support the passage of legislation at the local and national levels that
protect the rights and promote the welfare of people of all sexual orientations
and gender identities and expressions;
• eliminate all forms of prejudice and
discrimination against LGBTs in teaching, research, psychological
interventions, assessment and other psychological programs;
• encourage psychological research that addresses
the needs and concerns of LGBT Filipinos and their families and communities;
• disseminate and apply accurate and evidence-based
information about sexual orientation and gender identity and expression to design
interventions that foster mental health and wellbeing of LGBT Filipinos.
References
American Psychiatric
Association. (1973). Position statement on homosexuality and civil rights.
American Journal of Psychiatry, 131; 497.
Anton, B.S. (2009).
Proceedings of the American Psychological Association for the legislative year
2008: Minutes of the annual meeting of the Council of Representatives, February
22-24, 2008, Washington, DC,
and August 13 and 17, 2008, Boston,
MA, and minutes of the February,
June, August, and December 2008 meetings of the Board of Directors. American
Psychologist, 64; 372-453.
Conger, J.J. (1975).
Proceedings of the American Psychological Association, Incorporated, for the
year 1974: Minutes of the annual meeting of the Council of Representatives.
American Psychologist, 30; 620-651.
Hatzenbuehler, M. L.
(2009). How does sexual minority stigma “get under the skin”? A psychological
mediation framework. Psychological Bulletin, 135; 707-730.
International Network for
Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Concerns and Transgender Issues in Psychology (2001).
Sexual orientation and mental health: Toward global perspectives on practice
and policy. Retrieved from
http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/international-meeting.pdf
Meyer, I. H.
(2003).Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and
bisexual populations: Conceptual issues and research evidence. Psychological
Bulletin, 129; 674-697.
Psychological Association
of the Philippines
Scientific and Professional Ethics Committee. (2010). Code of Ethics for
Philippine Psychologists. Philippine Journal of Psychology, 43; 195-217.