TED Talks Daily France Villarta: The legacy of gender equality and fluidity in the Philippines
Mar 9, 2020
France Villarta, a communications consultant known for his TED talk on gender equality in the Philippines, shares insights on the rich legacy of gender fluidity in his country. He discusses the contrast between pre-colonial norms, which embraced diversity, and the rigid binaries imposed by colonialism. Through personal stories and the experiences of individuals like Lenny, a transgender salon owner, he argues for inclusivity and the universal beauty of all identities, emphasizing the need to challenge societal labels.
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Lenny's Story
- France Villarta recounts a story about Lenny, a transgender woman in his Filipino village.
- Lenny owned a popular salon and was accepted by the community, demonstrating gender diversity.
Cultural Gender Diversity
- Many cultures don't primarily define gender based on biological sex.
- Some communities in North America, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and the Pacific Islands have a history of gender variance acceptance.
Pre-colonial Philippines
- Pre-colonial Philippine societies were largely egalitarian, with women holding influential roles as babaylans (shamans).
- Women could divorce, own property, and make reproductive decisions.