Various groups of youth and students picketed in front of the City College of San Jose Del Monte (CCSJDM) campus in Bulacan on May 28 to denounce the administration’s implementation of an oppressive dress code policy. They called for the implementation of a Gender Affirmative Clothing Policy or a dress code that respects students’ gender identity.

On March 24, the CCSJDM administration began enforcing a memorandum banning LGBT+ students from wearing uniforms that match their gender. They claimed this directly contradicts the administration’s statement that the school is “inclusive” and for all students.

“How can the university be called inclusive if it denies even the simple expression of gender?” stated the Kabataan Party-list San Jose Del Monte (KPL-SJDM) in March, one of the groups that joined the picket.

According to the group CC Barangaw, an LGBT+ group on campus, even with only a few members, the student masses chose not to remain silent amid the administration’s systematic silencing. The group added that in a society where the powerful always lead, they stand with the student masses whose voices are being suppressed.

The group further explained that the call for a Gender Affirmative Policy is not a simple request but part of a broader struggle for humane, pro-people, and class-conscious education. “We promise that as long as the fight continues, we will continue to strengthen the ranks of the student masses,” the group said.

The groups that joined the picket also called on the CCSJDM student council and campus newspaper to join the students’ struggle. These student institutions did not attend the protest action.

“Now that the pressing issues of City Collegians—hidden fees, unfair grade incentives, and student repressive policies—have reached a critical point, their silence is deafening, as if no one stands with the students to fight for their rights,” KPL-SJDM said regarding the council’s inaction.

The groups renewed their demand for the administration to immediately scrap the backward memorandum and uphold the rights of students and LGBT+ people. This June will mark the month of recognition and advocacy for LGBT+ rights.