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As we celebrate this year’s Pride Month, we should also recognize the role of the LGBTQIA+ community in the fields of science, technology, and engineering. While it is true that we are progressing little by little on our calls, queer people of science, technology, and engineering have also their fair share of inequality and discrimination from the society. Join us as we amplify the narratives of gender minorities in the fields of engineering and technology.
Aside from stressing the importance of these fields in our country today, on this year’s Pride Month, let us nurture a culture of acceptance and equality starting from our homes, schools, and workplaces. Let us continue to demand equality, inclusion, and safety for the LGBTQIA+ community and continue the fight for a more gender-inclusive society.
Story No. 1: Cristina Del Rosario (UX Researcher and Designer)
Cristina Del Rosario is a User Experience (UX) designer and researcher who graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design and courses in cognitive and social psychology. In her undergraduate studies, she developed a vaccination mechanism that is meant to easily administer vaccines in rural areas in the Philippines which led her to become a finalist for the International Design Excellence Awards. She also developed a mobile application that aims to help sari-sari store owners to improve their technological and financial literacy.
Cristina believes that the country should create more safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community, especially those working in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Here’s what Cristina has to say in relation to the visible discrimination and insecurity against their rights such as in civil unions that traditional couples enjoy:
📍 Sources: 📌 5 Filipino LGBTQ scientists and inventors you should know about 📌https://wi-tech.org/2020/10/22/lgbtq-rep-in-tech/
Story No. 2: Krista Melgarejo (Marine Molecular Biologist)
Krista Melgarejo is an undergraduate of food technology degree at the University of the Philippines Mindanao and finished their master’s degree in Marine Science at the UP Diliman. Being a former UP Student Regent themself, they were recognized many times by the university due to their commitment and passion for leadership and service. Advancing as a people of science and technology, Krista has noticed and elicited their common frustrations in this field among others relating to them being part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
In our Filipino context, Krista has experienced the two facets of being a queer person - one that is fond of acceptance and one that carries judgment rooted in the common gender stereotypes. They admit that there has been some progress on the status of being “open” of some people to the LGBTQIA+ community, however, as what they have shared, we are still far from the goal. Tolerance does not equate to real acceptance that is why they wish to have that fair share of equality someday.
Story No. 3: Jendie (Engineering Student at LSPU - Santa Cruz Campus)
Jendie, an active student leader and an excelling BS Electronics Engineering student in Laguna State Polytechnic University - Santa Cruz Campus shared their experiences as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. According to them, being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community in a male-dominated field of study has encouraged them to do more aside from their inspiration from their own dreams, family, and friends. In their academic experience, they are usually asked to lead some peer teaching activities on the lessons that they need to master. However, Jendie also shared that there are times of struggle, especially since being in that course was not their first choice. Nevertheless, they shared with us their successes, including how being an officer for two terms in their college’s mother organization helped them persevere more in their studies. Indeed, gender has nothing to do with their ability to excel in studies, help other students, and lead with passion.
Here’s what Jendie would like to share with other queers who are or are interested in the field of engineering and technology:
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