This trans teen in Leyte was given freedom to wear her uniform of choice: 'I will be eternally grateful'
School has always been considered a student's second home—and it means a great deal when a culture of acceptance is uplifted for the LGBTQ+ youth.
Grade 12 student and transwoman Sessy Maravillo proudly showed off her uniform with an appreciation post to Leyte National High School for giving her the freedom to wear her school uniform of choice.
In a Facebook post, the teenager shared four photos of herself with the school's signature maroon skirt, blouse, and necktie. She also shared that she feels the strong support of Leyte National High School's inclusivity.
"I feel the strong and warm support of my school especially the love of my teachers and their strong regard towards the gender that I have," Sessy wrote. "Being in this ground gives me so much comfort and wings to properity and as a member of the mentioned clan, I want them also to feel the same way as I feel—the acceptance, freedom, love and above all, the respect."
She also called for other schools to follow suit to further amplify gender acceptance.
"Making our brothers and sisters in land feel safe is not enough, we should also make them feel comfortable," she added.
Sessy is also a beauty queen in her own right, winning second runner-up in the 2022 Miss Gay Abucay pageant. Her post has since received an outpouring of support on social media with over 4,000 reactions and 300+ shares.
This wouldn't be the first time that a local school has granted trans students the freedom to wear the uniform they please.
Once face-to-face classes began at the University of Iloilo back in August, trans teen Diana Montecarlo Lopez was also given permission to wear her chosen uniform.
"Thank you UI for accepting and letting me wear female uniform. I always feel the love and support in this school," Diana wrote at the time.
PhilSTAR L!fe has reached out to Maravillo and Leyte National High School for a comment.