Definition of Terms

Introduction

1) Sex refers to a persons biological status and is typically categorized as male, female,
or intersex (i.e., atypical combinations of features that usually distinguish male from
female). There are a number of indicators of biological sex, including sex chromosomes,
gonads, internal reproductive organs, and external genitalia.
2)Gender refers to the attitudes, feelings, and behaviors that a given culture associates
with a
persons biological sex. Behavior that is compatible with cultural expectations is referred
to as
gender-normative; behaviors that are viewed as incompatible with these expectations
constitute gender non-conformity.
3) Gender identity refers to ones sense of oneself as male, female, or transgender.
When ones gender identity and biological sex are not congruent, the individual may
identify as transsexual or as another transgender category.
4) Gender expression refers to the way in which a person acts to communicate
gender within a given culture; for example, in terms of clothing, communication
patterns and interests. A
persons gender expression may or may not be consistent with socially prescribed
gender roles,
and may or may not reflect his or her gender identity.
5) Sexual orientation refers to the sex of those to whom one is sexually and romantically
attracted. Categories of sexual orientation typically have included attraction to
members of ones own sex (gay men or lesbians), attraction to members of the other
sex (heterosexuals), and attraction to members of both sexes (bisexuals). While these
categories continue to be widely used, research has suggested that sexual orientation
does not always appear in such definable categories and instead occurs on a
continuum. In addition, some research indicates
that sexual orientation is fluid for some people; this may be especially true for women.
6) Harassment covers a wide range of behaviors of an offensive nature. It is commonly
understood as behavior intended to disturb or upset, and it is characteristically
repetitive. In the legal sense, it is intentional behavior which is found threatening or
disturbing. Sexual harassment refers to persistent and unwanted sexual advances,
typically in the workplace, where the consequences of refusing are potentially very
disadvantageous to the victim.
7) Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves
a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to
be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have
serious, lasting problems.
In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include:

1. An Imbalance of Power: Kids who bully use their powersuch as physical strength,
access to embarrassing information, or popularityto control or harm others. Power
imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the
same people.
2. Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to
happen more than once.
Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone
physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.
Sources:
American Psychological Association, 2006
http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/sexuality-definitions.pdf

In terms of LGBT national organizing, there have been three major events in the Philippines:
1. An attempt to establish the LGBT movement in the Philippines
- occurred in December 1997
- University of the Philippines Babaylan - the first LGBT organization in a university in the Philippines,
hosted the first national convention of gay and lesbian leaders.
2. It took more than a decade for the second national LGBT conference to take place. In June 2011,
46 LGBT organizations from all over the Philippines gathered for the Philippine National LGBT
Conference held in Cavite City.
The output from the gathering was an official statement that highlighted the solidarity of the LGBT
participants who called for the protection of the rights of LGBT people.
3. On 2930 June 2013, UNDP and USAID jointly convened the third Philippine National LGBT
Community Dialogue.
This dialogue aimed to:
- discuss the country situation and response on human rights, including enabling and hindering
factors; generate understanding on the legal and social environments in which LGBT persons and
rights advocates operate
- generate recommendations toward LGBT-inclusive development
The participants discussed the human rights of LGBT people in seven thematic areas: education,
health, employment, family affairs, religion, media and politics.
In total, 50 LGBT Filipinos participated in the national dialogue.
In terms of local organizing, the participants of the national dialogue noted several internal issues
affecting the LGBT community.

 Discriminatory acts were noted that limit the movements of LGBT Filipinos in their communities.
(Example: no cross-dressing policy)

traditional beliefs, norms and social institutions legitimize and therefore, perpetuate
violence against women)
*
* GBV is difficult and complex issue and categorizing different types of violence can
never be exact.
* all forms of GBV can occur both in the pricate sphere or in the public sphere.