As some kids go back to school face to face for the first time in more than two years, my newsfeed is filled with the usual pictures and stories of anxiety separation, lack of classroom facilities, typhoons, etc. It's bittersweet as it’s good that we are slowly going back to normalcy but sad that normal is also seeing kids sitting on the floor and wading through flood. But one topic stood out for me. It did not really catch my attention when I first saw it until it appeared again with a commentary from a trans beauty queen.

The post showed a before-and-after picture of smiling boys with long hair being given a haircut in compliance with school policy. The beauty queen found offense saying, “PILIPINAS, NAPAKASAKIT! Dahil dama ko na hanggang ngayon, hindi niyo pa rin kami tanggap. Hirap pa rin tayong yakapin ang kaisipang trans women are women. Trans men are men. Non-binary people are valid. People can have non-conforming gender expression.” And that’s the thing. They are not men. They are boys. They are minors under the supervision of adults---just like how ALL kids are.

There are rules that must be followed and until they are repealed, everyone must abide by it. Why must they be exempted? Some boys would want to keep their hair long but must face the shears. Some girls would want to have green and purple hair but will be turned away. It is not a matter of gender but rules.

“Ano po bang mali sa aming buhok? Ano po bang mali sa isang transgender woman na gustong magsuot ng unipormeng pambabae o transgender man na hindi kumportableng mag-palda?” the beauty queen continued.

Again, it’s about policy. As early as now, they need to learn that the world will not always adjust to what they want. Besides, why stop with them? If they would be allowed to wear pants and skirts, everyone must also be given the same privilege. Girls who identify themselves as girls would ditch the skirt as a pair of pants is more comfortable when wading through flood.

“Gender expression, through clothing, gives us comfort. Because when we are comfortable, it makes us confident. Comfort and confidence lead to productivity.”

School is primarily about learning and developing the mind and attitude including one of compliance. If school is about comfort, then ALL students must have a say in their uniform to lead to everyone’s productivity---not just a few.