“It felt like discrimination just became normal. It was like every single day you’d hear them calling you names—every time I leave the house, every time I walk outside. At first, I could still take the pain, but you just get used to it and end up feeling helpless,” Tine recalls.
Tine’s early years were defined by the heavy burden of supporting her family and the gut punch of discrimination in her community, in school, and behind screens. It was no different online, as she faced the same cruelty regarding her appearance and identity in comments made by strangers.
Faced with constant insult and harassment, Tine hit a breaking point. She dropped out of school and engaged in transactional sex to make ends meet. She lived life day-to-day, without a clear outlook for the future.
For many young people living near the coastline of Navotas, the intersection of poverty and identity creates a wall that feels impossible to breach. For Tine, a proud transwoman, this was once a lived reality.
Overcoming the walls of discrimination
The turning point came through an invitation. Her friends who had joined peer learning group sessions led by the UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, encouraged her to participate.
“I was afraid at first. I feared that I would be judged. But as days went on, as we were learning about our sexual and reproductive health and human rights, I found comfort in our small group.”
What began as a casual introduction to sexual and reproductive care evolved into a personal awakening. Each session provided more than just scientific information on HIV, AIDS, and sexually transmitted infections—they also offered a lens through which participants like Tine could view their self-worth and potential.
“The program opened doors to a deeper understanding of human rights, of myself… Each session was a step toward healing and rebuilding my confidence,” Tine reflected.
Empowered by this knowledge, Tine decided to let go of her past and resume her education. Today, she has graduated from high school with academic honors and plans to pursue a college degree in education. It was not a step made alone; it was made true by the support of a family that promised to always watch her back as she pursues her dream.
An empowered voice for others
Tine now serves as a facilitator—from a doubtful participant to an empowered leader in her community. On days away from school, Tine carries with her a Youth Health Learning Package (YHLP) and mentors out-of-school teens engaged in transactional sex, using her lived experience to connect with peers and encourage them to return to school.
Developed by the UN Joint Team on AIDS in the Philippines, the YHLP is a comprehensive set of modules designed to guide peer educators on how to deliver health information to young people with accuracy, sensitivity, and empathy. The modules equip young people with vital life skills, focused on sexual and reproductive care, HIV awareness, mental healthcare, and gender sensitivity through a human rights-based approach.
During the recent Training of Facilitators, Tine and a new cohort of youth facilitators gained the tools to lead upcoming learning group sessions with confidence using the YHLP, their go-to guide.
For Tine, the journey has been about discovering the true power of her own voice.
“I’ve always known I had a skill for speaking, but it’s something that is constantly being honed,” she reflects. “Through facilitating sessions and undergoing training, I’ve found my confidence. I’ve learned not just how to speak, but how to effectively share knowledge with others.”
Now, she is using that hard-won confidence to lift others up, leaving her peers with a powerful message: “Don’t lose hope—because you are not just gay or lesbian. You are part of the LGBTQI+ community, with dignity, a voice, and the right to dream and succeed.”