One organization in Zamboanga City, the Mujer LGBTQ+ Organization Inc., caters to the needs and issues of the LGBTQI+ Communities in Zamboanga Peninsula and aims to share their voices to the local government units for them to be included in policies and ordinances that the local chief executives may be able to adapt.

As we celebrate the Women’s Month with a new theme, “We for Gender Equality and Inclusive Society”, the City Government of Zamboanga strongly supports programs and campaign for gender inclusive society. They recognize the talent and skills of transgender and LGBTQI+ community that contributes to the betterment and development of the city.

One of the highlights of the city’s women’s month celebration is the Trans Congress held on March 28, 2023, which was organized by the Mujer LGBTQ+ Organization and supported by the city’s Gender and Development office. The event gathers all the transgender leaders and members of the different organizations to share their concerns to the panelists, especially the discrimination they encountered. Panel members include city councilors Lilibeth Nuño and Jihan Edding, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Education, Western Mindanao State University and City GAD office.

Further, one of the issues raised are the discrimination in schools where students are prohibited to express their gender through their clothing and wearing of uniforms. Another is the use of comfort rooms for transgenders, which confuses them and the public on which room is allowed for them to use.