1|Page

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Schools are ought to be the second home of students, and a safe place for

everyone. But in the Philippines, said to be one of the countries in the Southeast Asia

with the highest tolerance towards the LGBT+ community, genuine acceptance and

equality cant be felt yet. There is big difference between tolerance and acceptance. With

that being said, Philippines just gives tolerance and not acceptance at all. The students

who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) can experience bullying,

discrimination, lack of LGBT-related information, and hatred that in some cases results to

physical and sexual assault.

Gender and sexual stereotypes specifically are extremely prevalent in society and

always have been. The LGBT+ Community also experiences stereotypes that results to

bias, bigotry, and fear. However, there are still positive stereotypes, or

counterstereotypes, that exist.

Some famous stereotypes include that homosexual man should be effeminate, and

lesbians are often classified as aggressive, and anti-man. Another stereotype is that all

gay men love theatre and any man involved in theatre as a career or cultural institution is

1
 2|Page

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

gay. While there may be some element of truth in the statement that gay men are fans

and participants in theatre, this only really means that men who enjoy theater are more

likely to be gay compared to other mediums, not so much that every gay person enjoys

theater or every person who enjoys theater is gay.

Theater has always been a comfort for everybody to be free, to express

themselves, and be themselves. This has been a platform of acceptance for creativity

and embracing the difference of people. It has always been a laboratory for

experimentation. For example, gender-bending is becoming more popular and is being

treated as a challenge to the artists in this field.

Gender and sexual stereotypes clearly have an impact on the LGBT+ community.

Putting people in boxes and labeling their identities with oftentimes hurtful generalizations

can be incredibly disheartening. People in theatre, specifically men, are all too familiar

with this phenomenon. However, the theatre will continue to break the walls of gender

roles and sexual norms despite any negative stereotyping of its participants. Stereotypes

will always be present in society but its how people react to them that either perpetuates

them, or puts an end to them.

2
 3|Page

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Stereotypes are basically the putting standard or mindset of people or

generalization to a certain group, of/a person or a thing. It is the peoples established

opinion about someones lifestyle. Gender stereotypes is a common experience to almost

every one of us. Its possible to trace these ideals as far back as humans go. Even since

birth, the color of our things must depend on our gender. When youre a girl, your things

must be color pink, blue, when youre a boy. Men have always been seen as the strong,

working sex and women, the home-making, motherly sex. A possible reason why these

stereotypes exist is that categorization has proven to be so important for some people

that they feel great need in creating order and predictability in the world. Sometimes

putting someone in a box by stereotyping them isnt even because you disagree with their

lifestyle but rather you feel the need to put a label on them, you feel the need to make

sure people know they are different from you.

Curiously, it seems that this stereotype is really only present when it comes to

musical theatre, specifically Broadway, not Hollywood. The big-name actors in Hollywood

are very rarely suspected to be gay unless they also dabble with onstage theatre. So why

Broadway? Broadway musicals are known for their high spectacle of song and dance.

Dancing has always been categorized as a feminine thing, because you have to

bend, and shake your body, and wear a tutu. People engaged with theatre and dance are

often called derogatory names such as fag and sissy.

3
 4|Page

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

Rooted to the core stereotype that being gay is linked with femininity and un-

masculinity, this infers that those are not manly enough are often being called fag

because they like dancing, being too emotional, and being conscious with how they look.

Theatre is consistently viewed as a feminine pastime or career and most men involved

will unfortunately have their sexuality questioned.

Despite the negativity and problems that result from these stereotypes, there are,

of course, people who fit these stereotypes. There are many reasons why homosexual

men specifically are drawn to theatre. For one obvious reason, the theatre community is

widely known for being extremely liberal.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Observe the population of the members of the LGBT+ Community among

the Arts Students of PUP.

2. Identify the number of students who experienced stereotyping.

3. Identify the factors affected by stereotyping.

4. Determine the effectiveness of watching musicals in lessening the stigma.

5. Suggest platforms for empowering the LGBT+ Community to related

organizations

4
 5|Page

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This study is organized to know the status of the LGBT+ Community in the of

Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and how effective watching musicals play can

help in lessening the stereotyping towards the said community, as perceived by the

Grades 11 and 12 Arts and Design students in school year 2017 2018. The aspects

being looked into were the academic performance, problems, strategies and solutions to

the problems.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This proposed study will provide significant information that can serve as a platform

and is beneficial to many. Here are some of the perks this study is expected to provide:

PUP Community. This study will help the PUP to be a more LGBT-friendly

community and produce empowered students that will serve the country.

Department of Education. A platform to develop a LGBT-friendly curriculum can

also be sent to the Department of Education.

. LGBT+ Community in PUP. The discrimination towards the LGBT+ Community

is expected to lessen making their school experience easier and happier.

5
 6|Page

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

Philippines Theater Industry. This will also help to promote and appreciate the

theater community in the Philippines.

LGBT+ Community. Thus, we expect this study to further raise general

awareness about the LGBT+ Community.

Future Researchers. They are also encouraged to use this study for their

references.