What does “Filipinx” mean to you?

J: I identify as a queer Filipinx woman. 

Yes, woman and Filipinx can be in the same sentence.

First let’s dive into what that word means. Why the “x”? 

Traditionally a Filipino cis-man would identify as Filipino, the “O” representing masculinity. A Filipino cis-woman would identify as a Filipina, the “A” representing femininity. In the LGTQIA+ American culture, identity is important to the trans/non-conforming/non-binary community. Adding the “O” or “A” can trigger one’s dysphoria. 

Why does it mean to be a “Cis-person”?

Cis- means you are born with sex of your gender identity. Trans/non-conforming/non-binary communities are born with a different sex than their gender identity. For a example, a trans man is born with the sex of a female but identifies as a man or “boi”. You will see letters replacing traditional letters to identify their identity as a non-conforming identy. A trans boi may not feel comfortable using the identity trans man as it can symbolize or embrace patriarchy.

What is patriarchy? 

By Google’s definition: Patriarchy is a social system in which men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege and control of property. Some patriarchal societies are also patrilineal, meaning that property and title are inherited by the male lineage. 

AKA: Men are always in power and the top of the hierarchy. 

So being that you are a cis-woman, why do you identify as a Filipinx? 

It’s more than about how I feel when I identify as a “Filipino”. I don’t want to give more power to the patriarchy system by carrying the “o”. I also don’t want to strip my Filipino identity because that’s an extremely important part of me. I also don’t identify as a “Filipina” because there’s an idea associated with that identity just like how “Latina” holds a specific identity of hyper femme. It also all feels limiting to me. I don’t look at the world through a binary lens. I do believe in gender (such as people identify as men and women) but I also believe in non-binary. Filipinx fits my identity as well as my beliefs as a queer person. 

As a person who is not Trans/Non-conforming/Non-binary identity, what would you like to say to those who see your title as “Filipinx”? 

I want to acknowledge my privilege as a light-skinned, straight-passing cis-woman walking through this world. I do not experience the same experience a trans/nc/nb person does. I was conflicted for a very long time on using the identity “Filipinx” in respect to the trans/nc/nb community however this is my truth and it is what feels real to me. I am also aware that this identity was rooted from the trans/nc/nb community and appreciate that they came up with this title, as it resonates with me.