SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY AND EXPRESSION AWARENESS:

ITS IMPACT ON THE DEGREE OF UNDERSTANDING TOWARDS THE LGBTQ+

COMMUNITY AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS

CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

INTRODUCTION

Rationale

“The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.” Nathaniel

Branden

Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression awareness has gained

increasing academic and clinical attention over the past three decades as lesbian, gay,

bisexual, transgender, queer and others (LGBTQ+) people have gained visibility. Some

of their movements makes the world give attention to them as well as making everyone

aware on their different roles in the society wherein people begun to discuss their

concerns and rights as a person and part of the society. The researchers observed that

awareness and understanding of the SOGIE and LGBTQ+ community could be

important for college students towards the acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community.

Even though SOGIE and LGBTQ+ community are revealed to the world, in some

instances, the terms are used interchangeably and not clearly understand by many. For

some, Thompson and Morgan (2008) define sexual identity as “recognition, acceptance,
and identification with one’s sexual preferences” (and contrast this with sexual

orientation, which they describe as “referent to more stable behavioral characteristics”.

Bailey et al. (2016), meanwhile, define sexual orientation as being comprised of sexual

behavior, sexual identity (defined as “one’s self conception as a homosexual, bisexual,

or heterosexual person,” sexual attraction, and physiological sexual arousal.

There could be several studies about SOGIE awareness, but there are limited

studies on identifying the significant relationship between SOGIE awareness and the

degree of understanding towards LGBTQ+ particularly among college students. The

current study is designed to fill this gap. The researchers want to give a satisfying

information about SOGIE and LGBTQ+ community as the researchers believe that this

study would help to create an acceptance and a more welcoming environment towards

LGBTQ+ community among college students. Thus, the essence of this study is to give

awareness and enlighten people about SOGIE and LGBTQ+ community particularly to

determine the impact of SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression)

awareness on the degree of understanding towards the LGBTQ+ community among

college students of the Bohol Island State University Main Campus, since the significant

relationship between these particular phenomenon have not well understand as part of

the normal spectrum of the society.

References:
Diaz, E. M. (2010) Demographic Differences in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
Transgender Youth’s Participation in School-Based Gay-Straight Alliances in the United
States
Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. ProQuest LLC.

Literature Background

In recent years, the topic on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression

or SOGIE has been on the television, news and social media. It was further pushed by

the existence of the SOGIESC based Anti-Discrimination Bill which was now being

reintroduced to the senate (CNN,2020), it’s main goal is to get rid of discrimination

based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics.

The relevance of this topic made us to question whether the society or in this research,

the academe are familiar or does have any knowledge or understanding on what

SOGIE is and its issues and how does it affect their understanding towards the

LGBTQ+ community.

The awareness on SOGIE has been a fairly recent topic in the society that has

been recently highlighted on television and social media. In an article in The Journal for

Nurse Practitioners entitled “Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender

Expression: What Are They?” by Aleshire (2016) it talked about how despite being

confused with each other and long believed are the same, Sexual Orientation, Gender

Identity and Expression (SOGIE) and biological sex are separate entities and may vary

depending on the person. Biological sex is usually determined at birth by physical

attributes (i.e., anatomy, hormones, chromosomes). Meanwhile, gender identity is more

internalized and is self-defined, that is, how a person identifies themselves. It may or
may not be parallel with the biological sex. Gender expression is the manifestation of

how the person expresses gender depending on the cultural context (i.e., fashion,

behavior). Lastly, sexual orientation is the person’s preference romantically,

emotionally, and/or sexually. These things are different aspects of a person’s identity

and may or may not reflect each other (Aleshire, 2016).

In order to talk about gender expression, we first must clarify what gender

expression is, and how it looks like--lest we confuse it with other things. So, though

fairly short, Aleshire will give us, and the readers, a discussion regarding SOGIE in

order to fully understand what we will be delving into in this paper. This is a very

important thing to understand and we believe that everyone should know about it since

traditional views regarding these things have brought upon oppression and inequality.

So, in order to debunk stereotypes that were widely known, it is crucial to insert this

discussion whenever it is relevant.

Sexual minorities, according to Dermer, Smith, and Barto (2010), are a group

that includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people, as well as people

who are questioning their sexuality. This term also includes anyone whose sexual

orientation, gender identity, and expression (SOGIE) fall outside of what dominant

society considers ‘normal' or typical.

Each person's sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (SOGIE) are in

distinct characteristics. It is critical to distinguish between these terms in order to better

understand how prejudice affects people beyond the assumptions of treating the SOGIE

term as a whole. The ability for emotional and sexual attraction to other people, whether

of the same gender, another gender, or even more than one gender, is referred to as
sexual orientation (Karsay, Santos, and Mosquera 2016). Gender identity, on the other

hand, is defined as each person's strongly felt gender experience, which may or may

not correlate to their biological sex assigned at birth (Karsay, et. al. 2016). Dressing,

speech, and mannerisms that show one's gender are examples of this (Karsay, et. al.

2016). This is in relation to gender expressions, which are the exterior manifestations of

gender that may be noticed in their mannerisms and how they dress, as well as their

choice of name, pronoun usage, haircut, and bodily traits (Karsay, et al. 2016).

People who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, as well as those who are

questioning their SOGIE or the (LGBTQ+) continue to confront challenges all around the

world. Examples include a lack of job possibilities (Sears & Mallory, 2011), bias when

seeking health treatment (Winter, 2012), housing (Grant, Mottet & Tanis, 2011), and

education (Grant, Mottet & Tanis, 2011). (Burns, 2011).

According to the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry (2012), prior to the

evolution and understanding of the term “homosexuality”, European physicians and

forensic experts introduced the idea that homosexuality was a congenital or acquired

mental illness back in the 19th century. Because of this, homosexuality was deemed as

a condition relating to a serious mental illness which required psychiatric care. This was

only debunked in 1951 when Sigmund Freud as well as Evelyn Hooker did studies

regarding homosexuality and argued that it is not an illness but rather a “variation of

sexual function” and provided empirical evidence. Their studies eventually led to the

American Psychiatric Association’s removal of homosexuality from the Diagnostic

Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders in 1973 (American Psychology

Association, 2003).
 On the “The History Visibility of LGBTQ+ on the Philippines” posted by Rozul

(2017) on the website love yourself, within the conservative culture of the Philippines,

the LGBTQ+ visibility in the Philippines can be seen from the history of the country

could much reflect their present situations (Batacobe, 2011). Years before the

colonization of Spaniards, acceptance on homosexuality can be seen when there are

spiritual leaders who were male called asog, they are not cross-dressers but as they

have the same recognition as the female priestess called the babaylan. They were free

from societal judgment and are accepted from the people of the barangays. On the

other hand, during the Islamic movements in the Mindanao, acceptance for the

homosexuals are being diminished to the indigenous natives and even continued

throughout the Spanish occupation when they introduce the Roman Catholicism to

natives that eventually result to the end of acceptance of the homosexuality in most of

the archipelagic people. Spaniards also opened the concept of patriarchy and

machismo that made close concept that gender crossing is a contemptuous idea and

practice. Acts of effeminacy among men were also being brought down upon, forming

the regional vernacular word ‘bakla’ which means “homosexual” in Cebuano, but “gay

man”, “confused”, or “cowardly” in Tagalog (Rozul, 2017). During the American

colonization, expanding of formal education in the country includes the reinforcement of

Western conceptualizations for gender and sexuality. In which according to Garcia

(2009) these sequential happenings during the colonial era resulted in much

discrimination, maltreatment, and hate crimes for the LGBTQ+ community in the present

time.
 Recent studies reveal that, as a result of stigma and discrimination, sexual

minorities feel higher psychological distress than heterosexuals, despite the study and

work that has been done to promote their well-being. Homosexuals are more likely to be

diagnosed with serious depression, generalized anxiety, substance abuse, mental

disorders, and suicide ideation than heterosexuals (Lewis, Derlega, Brown, & Rose,

2009). According to one study, LGBTQ+ people have more psychiatric symptoms than

heterosexual people, use recreational drugs more frequently, are more likely to have

alcohol-related difficulties, and seek mental health services more frequently than

heterosexual people (King et al., 2003). Susan Cochran, an epidemiologist, and Vickie

Mays, a psychologist, investigated the root causes of mental disorders in sexual

minorities and found substantial evidence that discrimination has a role in the

exacerbation of anxiety, depression, and other stress-related mental health problems.

Although these data do not prove that discrimination causes mental health problems,

they do show that the social stigma experienced by sexual minorities is significant

(Cochran & Mays, 2009).

From the study of Tang X, Poudel AN, 2018 “Exploring challenges and problems

faced by LGBT students in Philippines” conducted in University of the Philippines,

Diliman Campus, the researchers found out that many participants gave emphasis on

education and sensation of more people to improve current discrimination against

LGBTQ+ community. According to them nothing improves unless they are not aware

about Sexual Orientation, Gender Identification and Expression (SOGIE) issues. They

think there are still a number of misconception about the LGBT community and these

misconception should be removed by educating and sensitizing more people.

 The general population is unwilling to learn about SOGIE issues and still holds

preconceptions about this minority group. One typical example is misgendering the

transgender and bisexual community. People do not think that a transgendered woman

is a real woman. Even individuals who are familiar with SOGIE assume that the world is

only made up of gays and lesbians. One possible reason for this binary mindset is that

there are just two words in Tagalog (the Filipino language) for gay (bakla) and lesbian

(tomboy), with no equivalent terminology for transgender or bisexuality. As a result,

many people believe that these two minorities do not exist, and that they express

themselves in different ways solely to be sexually appealing. (J Public Health Policy

Planning, 2(3), 9-17, 2018).

LGBTQ+ individuals face challenges because of their social conditions and as

members of a community that is subject to discrimination and abuse. This can be

compounded by the weak social status and position of the individuals involved. “Being

LGBT in Asia” by United Nations Development Programme (UDNP) shows that the

openness within a society towards different sexual orientations is the key to greater

equality for LGBTQ+ people (Fric 2016). This could also help the variety of the society

to understand the different situations faced by the members of LGBTQ+ but due to

continuous judgment and the complications to accept the indifference, issues of

discrimination particularly in the environment of LGBTQ+ people are still visible.

In the Philippines, though it is not as homophobic as neighboring ASEAN

countries where some still utilizes the Anti-Sodomy Law, the country does not

criminalize Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans (LGBT) people, however, they do not give

them recognition either (De Vela, 2016). We have yet to pass a SOGIE Anti-
Discrimination bill, as the proposed bills often get stuck in the Senate for years. In fact,

in the House of Representatives, 18 bills were filed in the past twenty years (i.e., “An

Act Providing for Additional Sector Known as Third Sex” by Rep. Reynaldo Calalay in

1995, “Lesbian and Gay Rights Act of 1999” by Rep. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo in 1999,

etc.) while in the Senate, a total of 15 bills were filed, none of which has succeeded into

passing up to now.

Further, the lack of an umbrella organization, a lack of awareness among the

LGBTQ+ community concerning SOGIE concepts, and a lack of unity owing to

socioeconomic divisions were also mentioned as problems for the LGBTQ+ movement.

This is in light of the fact that LGBTQ+ communities and individuals continue to face

social and political hurdles, as well as the fact that there are few research on LGBTQ+

rights in the Philippines.

On the reasons on how the LGBTQ+ is perceived in the society, Bandura’s

Social Learning Theory (Bandura,1977) states that behavior is learned from the

environment through the process of observational learning. What is being observed by

an individual becomes ingrained into the mind as part of his learning. That maybe is the

reason on how marginalized or ostracized minorities are being seen in a way due to the

collective percepetions that is being learned.

There are also legal provisions that support the existence of the LGBTQ+

community both in local and international.

The Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) states that

“Everyone is entitled to all rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without

distinction of any kind,” whereas include any identity on the basis of their race, color,
sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth

or other status. It is the right to freedom of discrimination.

The Article II Section 11 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that “The State

values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights”.

It supports the idea of the inherent dignity and respect for each person regardless of

sex, gender, age, status and etc.

There are certain theories that suggest the development of the LGBTQ+ identity.

In 1979 Vivienne Cass released her “Homosexual Identity Model” based on her

empirical research of gays and lesbians in Australia. Her model has been used in higher

education as the standard for discussing the identity development for gay and lesbian

college students.

It is important to note that this is a stage model, meaning, according to Cass, the

individual progresses along this path. An individual may take several years to get

through a particular stage and may never make it to stage 6. Finally “foreclosure” (when

an individual denies their identity or hides it from others) can occur in any stage and halt

the process.

Stage 1: Identity Awareness-The individual is aware of being “different.”

Stage 2: Identity Comparison- The individual compares their feelings and

emotions to those they identify as heterosexual.

Stage 3: Identity Tolerance-The individual tolerates their identity as being non-

heterosexual.

Stage 4: Identity Acceptance-The individual accepts their new identity and

begins to become active in the “gay community.”

 Stage 5: Identity Pride -The individual becomes proud of their identity and

becomes fully immersed in “gay culture.”

Stage 6: Identity Synthesis-The individual fully accepts their identity and

synthesizes their former “heterosexual life” and their new identity.

Another theory by Anthony D’Augelli in 1994 released his “Homosexual Lifespan

Development Model.” This model is not a stage model, meaning an individual may

experience these different processes at different times and they can occur multiple

times.

Exiting a Heterosexual Identity— Realization of an identity other than what

society has deemed “normal.”

Developing a Personal LGB Identity Status—The process of coming out to one’s

self and identifying to one's self as gay, lesbian, or bisexual.

Developing a LGB Social Identity—The process of sharing a gay, lesbian, or

bisexual identity (or coming out) to friends.

Claiming an Identity as a LGB Offspring—The process of coming out to parents

or guardians.

Developing a LGB Intimacy Status—The process of forming intimate

relationships with people of the same sex.

Entering a LGB Community—Coming out in multiple areas of one’s life and being

active within the community, including going to events, bars, clubs, organizations, etc.

Furthermore, another study from McCarn-Fassinger in 1996 developed the

“Lesbian Identity Development” Model, which looks at both identity development from a

personal perspective and a group perspective.

 Awareness

Individual Awareness of feeling or being different

Gay: “I wonder if there is something strange about me?”

Lesbian: “I feel pulled toward women in ways that I don’t understand”

Group Awareness of different sexual orientations in people

Gay: “I had no idea how many gay people there are out there!”

Lesbian: “I had no idea there were lesbian/gay people out there.”

Exploration

Individual Exploration of strong, erotic feelings for people of the same sex (or a

particular person of the same sex)

Gay: “I want to be closer to men (or a certain man).”

Lesbian: “The way I feel makes me think I’d like to be sexual with a

woman.”

Group Exploration of one’s position regarding lesbians/gays as a group (both

attitudes and membership)

 Gay: “I think a lot about fitting in as a gay man and developing my own

gay style.”

Lesbian: “Getting to know lesbian/gay people is scary but exciting.”

Deepening/Commitment

Individual Commitment to self-knowledge, self-fulfillment, and crystallization of

choices about sexuality.

Gay: “I might be willing to live with a male lover.”

Lesbian: “ I clearly feel more intimate sexually and emotionally with

women than with men.”

Group Commitment to personal involvement with referenced groups, with

awareness of oppression and consequences of choices.

Gay: “I get angry at the way heterosexuals talk about and treat lesbians

and gays.”

Lesbian: “Sometimes I have been mistreated because of my lesbianism.”

Internalization/Synthesis

Individual Synthesis of love for women or men, sexual choices, into

overall identity
 Gay: “I feel deep commitment about my love for other men.”

Lesbian: “I am deeply fulfilled by my relationships with women.”

Group Synthesis of identity as a member of a minority group, across contexts

Gay: “I rely on my gay/lesbian friends for support, but I have some

good heterosexual friends as well.”

Lesbian: “I feel comfortable with my lesbianism no matter where I

am or who I am with.”

Lastly, another theory/model by Arlene Istar Lev “Transgender Emergence

Model” in 2004. Lev released their “Transgender Emergence Model.” This model is a

stage model that looks at how trans people come to understand their identity. Lev is

writing from a counseling/therapeutic point of view and this model talks about not only

what the individual is going through, but the responsibility of the counselor.

Awareness – In this first stage of awareness, gender-variant people are often in

great distress; the therapeutic task is the normalization of the experiences involved in

emerging as transgender.

Seeking Information/Reaching Out – In the second stage, gender-variant people

seek to gain education and support about transgenderism; the therapeutic task is to

facilitate linkages and encourage outreach.

Disclosure to Significant Others – The third stage involves the disclosure of

transgenderism to significant others (spouses, partners, family members, and friends);

the therapeutic task involves supporting the transgendered person’s integration in the

family system.

Exploration (Identity & Self-Labeling) – The fourth stage involves the exploration

of various (transgender) identities; and the therapeutic task is to support the articulation

and comfort with one’s gendered identity.

Exploration (Transition Issues & Possible Body Modification) – The fifth stage

involves exploring options for transition regarding identity, presentation, and body

modification; the therapeutic task is the resolution of the decision and advocacy toward

their manifestation.

Integration (Acceptance & Post-Transition Issues) – In the sixth stage the

gender-variant person is able to integrate and synthesis (transgender) identity; the

therapeutic task is to support adaptation to transition-related issues.

Moreover, the main gist if this study is to to educate everyone so they would

understand the LGBTQ+ community and their rights. If the public can be educated, it will

become much easier, as these conception like SOGIE are sort of difficult to understand.
Conceptual Framework

Albert Bandura’s Social Article 2 of the Universal

Learning Theory Declaration of Human
Rights (UDHR)
agrees with the behaviorist
learning “Everyone is entitled to all
theories of classical
conditioning and operant
rights and freedoms set
conditioning. However, he adds forth in this Declaration,
two important without distinction of any
ideas: kind.”
1. Mediating processes occur
between stimuli & responses. Article II Section 11 of the
2. Behavior is learned from the 1987 Philippine
environment through the
Constitution
process of observational
learning.
“The State values the
(Bandura, 1977) dignity of every human
person and guarantees full

Sexual Orientation,
Gender Identity And
Expression Awareness:
SOGIE Awareness Level of
Its Impact On The
Understanding
a. Terminology Degree Of
towards the
b. Issues Understanding Towards
LGBTQ+
The Lgbtq+ Community
Among College a. History
Students b. Current issues
issues in the
society
 SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY AND EXPRESSION AWARENESS:

ITS IMPACT ON THE DEGREE OF UNDERSTANDING TOWARDS THE LGBTQ+

COMMUNITY AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS

THE PROBLEM

Statement of the Problem

The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of SOGIE (Sexual Orientation,

Gender Identity and Expression) awareness on the degree of understanding towards

the LGBTQ+ community among college students of the Bohol Island State University

Main Campus, Tagbilaran City for Academic Year 2021-2022

This study aims to answer the following questions:

1. What is the degree of understanding of the students of Bohol Island State

University Main Campus regarding SOGIE Awareness in terms of:

1.1 terminology and

1.2 issues?
 2. What is the degree of understanding of college students towards

LGBTQ+?

1.1 history and

1.2 current issues in the society?

3. Is there a significant relationship between SOGIE awareness and the

degree of understanding towards LGBTQ+ among college students?

4. What action plan could be proposed based on the results of the study?

Null Hypothesis

There is no significant relationship between SOGIE awareness and the degree of

understanding towards LGBTQ+ among college students of the Bohol Island State

University Main Campus.

 Republic of the Philippines
Bohol Island State University
Main Campus
Tagbilaran City
VISION: A premier S & T university for the formation of a world class and virtue-laden human
resource for sustainable development of Bohol and the country
MISSION: BISU is committed to provide quality higher education in the arts and sciences, as
well as in the professional and technological fields, undertake research and development and
extension services for the sustainable development of Bohol and the country.

SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE FOR SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY AND

EXPRESSION AWARENESS: ITS IMPACT ON THE DEGREE OF UNDERSTANDING
TOWARDS THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS

Dear Respondents,

We are conducting a study entitled “SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER

IDENTITY AND EXPRESSION AWARENESS : ITS IMPACT ON THE DEGREE OF
UNDERSTANDING TOWARDS THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY AMONG COLLEGE
STUDENTS”. We would like to ask your cooperation to answer honestly and
wholeheartedly this questionnaire. Rest assured that your answers will be treated
confidentially.

Thank you very much and God bless!

The statements given below aims to assess whether there is a correlation between
SOGIE awareness towards the understanding of the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual,Transgender, Queer) community among the college students of the Bohol
Island State Univesity. Kindly please check under the appropriate column the rating you
give in each item.

Scale LEGEND:
4– Strongly Agree (SA)
3– Agree (A)
2– Disagree (D)
1 – Strongly Disagree (SD)

1. What is the degree of understanding of the students of Bohol Island State

University Main Campus regarding SOGIE Awareness in terms of:

4 3 2 1

TERMINOLOGIES SA A D SD

I know...

..what SOGIE stands for.

..what the meaning of Gender

Expression is.
..the difference between Gender

Identity and Gender Expression.

..about the terms that belong to

sexual orientation other than gay

and lesbian.

..the difference between sex and

gender.

I understand...

...what Sexual Orientation is all

about.

...what Gender Identity is all about.

...what being an ally is all about.

4 3 2 1

ISSUES SA A D SD

I know what my SOGIE is.

I believe that SOGIE only applies

to the members of the LGBTQ+

community

I judge someone’s SOGIE based

on how they dress and present

themselves.

I think that gay guys want to be

women. Lesbians want to be men.

I don’t consider heterosexuality as

a sexual orientation.

I doesn’t matter to me if someone

has their preferred pronouns

(he/him; she/her; they/them).

I believe that there are only two

genders: male and female.

I think bills such as the SOGIE-

Anti- Discrimination Bill needs to

passed.
2. What is the degree of understanding of college students towards LGBTQ+ in

terms of:

4 3 2 1

HISTORY SA A D SD

Early records of LGBTQ+ people’s

existence date back from the 16th-

17th century with the babaylan and

katalonan.

The babaylan and katalonan are

cross-dressing priest and

priestesses that are revered by the

pre-colonial society.

Colonialism eradicated the

existence of these specific type of

 people.

The Spanish introduced the idea of

machismo and ridiculed the

concept of gender crossing.

The rise of HIV-AIDS cases were

attributed to the LGBTQ+

community.

The rise of LGBTQ+ visibility

hastened the passing of the anti-

discrimination bill.

4 3 2 1

CURRENT ISSUES IN THE SOCIETY SA A D SD

The LGBTQ+ community are seen

as a minority in the present.

The risk of getting HIV-AIDS has

nothing to do with sexual

 orientation.

The members of the LGBTQ+

community are not seen as

functioning members of the society.

Gays and trans people are still

seen as comic relief or as someone

that’s to make fun of.

The LGBTQ+ community should

have the same rights as straight

people.

The passing and enactment of the

soon to be SOGIESC-Anti-

Discrimination Law will harm the

rights and beliefs of others.

References:

Mohr, J. J., & Kendra, M. S.. (2012) . The Lesbian, Gay, & Bisexual Identity Scale
(LGBIS). Measurement Instrument Database for the Social Science. Retrieved from
www.midss.ie
USAID, UNDP. (2014). Being LGBT in Asia: The Philippines country report. Bangkok,
Thailand: United Nations Development Program
ISEAN (2015). Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE)
Assessment Tools. Jakarta, ISEAN.