THE DEPARTMENT of Education has allowed graduates to wear clothes that are aligned to their identity.

DEPED – National Capital Region Director Wilfredo Cabral said that the agency seeks to promote gender equality, gender equity, gender sensitivity, non-discrimination and human rights.

“This Office reminds the field to respect the gender expression of students,” Cabral said.

Based on a memorandum the department issued, 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.”

“School heads/administrations are hereby advised to allow students to attend initiated activities such as end-of-school year rites wearing clothes which are aligned with their gender identity, without restricting students’ gender expression,” Cabral said.

Former National Schools Press Conference mentor and first Miss Trans Global Mela Habijan said that DEPED order is a victory for the LGBTQIA+ community.

“To our DepEd and CHEd leaders, when you let us become us, when you let trans people march, no one loses. Instead, all of us win!” Habijan said.