Aina: LGBTQI Student Leader

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙙𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪?

"If there’s one specific experience that left a mark on me regarding the level of inclusivity that is being observed in our university, it is this one time when my identity and position was questioned simply because I do not look gay enough to be part or to lead an organization such as Lakandiwa. In a space meant to affirm diversity, I was confronted with the stereotypes.

That incident deepened my resolve to build spaces in our university so that no one will ever be in the situation that I was put into. It’s sad and painful to know that even for someone who is as vocal as me in fighting for equality, our commitment and voice is still being questioned.

On the other hand, I am grateful to Lakandiwa for being a safe space not just to me but also to everyone who is part of the community and those who advocate for them. They became a space for us to just simply exist without needing to justify or explain our identities.

#InclusiveEducationForAll matters to me because, for the longest time, I have heard of and experienced first hand the realities of students who are being harassed, bullied, and discriminated against. This campaign, I see it as a hope, one that will change the narrative and make educational spaces a space where everyone can learn without fear of being isolated and discriminated against.”

Aina studies Political Science at Western Mindanao State University. She believed in the importance of amplifying the voices of the minorities and marginalized to give them the respect and opportunities they rightfully deserve.

Commit to #InclusiveEducationForAll now!

𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 Aina: https://www.balangaw.ph/speci.../inclusive-education-for-all