Rhelyn Harder
- A transwoman graduating student was questioned by her teacher because of wearing female clothes for the ceremony
- She stated in her letter that she is a transgender woman who had been wearing a female dress as a reflection of her gender identity
- Jesuit priest Fr. Robert Rivera, who is the university president, allowed her to dress up as a woman during the baccalaureate and graduation ceremonies
By the end of the school year, graduating students are busy preparing for their graduation rites; especially fussing about what to wear during the ceremony.
But a transwoman graduating student was questioned by her teacher because of wearing female clothes for the ceremony.
Roman Giuseppe “Emma” Bueno, a transwoman student from Ateneo de Naga University posted his sentiment over a transphobic/homophobic teacher who called the attention of the graduation committee to question her wearing of female clothes for the baccalaureate mass and graduation day ceremonies; knowing that she had been doing these for two years.
https://twitter.com/Emmabueno_/status/1107941914156756992
So Emma came up with the decision to bring her concern to the university president by writing a formal letter. She stated in her letter that she is a transgender woman who had been wearing female clothes as a reflection of her gender identity, yet the graduation committee disapproved of her manner of dressing.
https://twitter.com/Emmabueno_/status/1106176240107638784
Appealing her issue, Jesuit priest Fr. Robert Rivera, who is also the university president, allowed her to dress up as a woman during the baccalaureate and graduation ceremonies. In her letter, she explained that forcing her to wear male clothes would make her feel like a cross-dresser, because she really sees herself as a woman. And even her family, friends, peers, and the Ateneo Community had shown support of her gender identity.
https://twitter.com/Emmabueno_/status/1107947711758651392
We all know that some Catholic priests are against the credo of the LGBTQ community, but Fr. Robert is a lot more different than any other priest. He understood Emma’s sentiment to wear her desired clothing and by giving his recommendation, Emma received her greatest graduation gift.
https://twitter.com/Emmabueno_/status/1108031695687565312
“Emma, please present this letter if your clothing is questioned. Congratulations!” Fr. Robert wrote.
https://twitter.com/Emmabueno_/status/1108143961514770433
A note on her letter said that the university already has an “Anti-crossdressing policy that was approved by the OIC of the university in 2017. Since Emma has physically transitioned and has been dressing as a woman for two years, the university had allowed her request.
Her Twitter post received a lot of positive reactions and congratulated her, and acknowledged Fr. Robert for being understanding and open-minded to all LGBTQ community members.
https://twitter.com/PatrickGutier/status/1108198509344256000
congratulations!!! <3 aaahhh super supportive naman si father
— Bianca (@monterobia) March 19, 2019
https://twitter.com/FudgyScribbles/status/1108020705709289473
