wider & higher shoulders in male

Module 3 – Topic 1: Sex, Gender & Sexuality: a Gift and a indicates ‘carry angle,’ supporting even their longer arms:
Responsibility: Topic Overview males can carry heavier loads than their female counterpart

The Gift of Sex, Gender and Sexuality note: carrying things for their female counterpart is not to be
seen as an issue of gender equality but the use of one’s
Sex: either of the two main categories (male & female) into gift & better manners
which humans & most other living things are divided on
the basis of their reproductive functions male arms are longer:
indicates: ability to hug on the outside
*Biological in nature—elements given in human
chromosomes, sexual organs, hormones, innate males must protect the female from the outside (mostly from
tendencies physical hurt/violence)

Gender: either of the two sexes (male and female), especially female arms are shorter:
when considered with reference to social & cultural indicates: ability to hug on the inside
differences rather than biological ones females must protect the male on the inside (mostly from
emotional hurt) extra

refers to learned roles, expectations tied up with the note: males are stronger on the outside, females on the inside
feminine & the masculine, culture- and time-bound
narrower thorax of females indicates:
*Also used more broadly to denote a range of identities that do males have larger lungs than—females can experience earlier
not correspond to established ideas of male & female shortness of breath during physical exercise or activity/work (on
the average males have greater physical stamina); the smaller
thus, the term transgender: denoting or relating to a person lungs of females, however, has greater capacity for abdominal
whose sense of personal identity and gender does not expansion such as is during pregnancy
correspond with their birth sex
note: male bodies are designed to have greater
Sexuality: capacity for sexual feelings, person's sexual physical activity
orientation or preference
the females’ longer torso, wider pelvis, more pronounced
oblique slant of femur & shorter legs indicate:
sexual orientation:
a person's sexual identity in relation to the they are designed for carrying a baby in the womb
gender to which they are attracted, the fact
of being heterosexual, homosexual, or gifted with mammary glands to nurture
bisexual
gifted with reproductive organs to procreate
*Permeates the totality of the person, or entire personality

Giftedness of Sex, Gender & Sexuality Pscyho-Spiritual United Nations:

Integration Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a
necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and
(Concept of yin & yang: each person has a feminine & masculine sustainable world.
side)

male penis: Gender equality: is a political concept that emphasizes

represents: equality between genders
ability to: penetrate, explore, &
dig deeper into the meaning of things that would fill the vacuum typically defined as: women & men enjoying the same
of human life (qualities/characteristics supposedly dominant in opportunities, rights & responsibilities within all areas of life
males but doesn’t mean females cannot possess them)
*Gender equality might mean that women & men should be
female vagina: treated equally, or differently
represents: ability to:
welcome, give birth/life, warmth, & nurturance to the humanity *It does not require that girls and boys, or women and men, be
of life (characteristics/qualities supposedly dominant in females the same, or that they be treated exactly alike
but doesn’t mean males cannot possess them)
Gender equality is achieved when:
larger skull of male indicates larger brain: • women & men enjoy the same rights & opportunities
males think more deeply & use their reasoning more than across all sectors of society, including economic
women (supposedly the decision-maker); women are known to participation & decision-making
be more intuitive
• different behaviors, aspirations & needs of women & men
note: this does not mean females do not think, reason & make are equally valued & favored
decisions (these traits are just supposedly more dominant in
males)
*It is not much of an issue in the Philippines *Gender equality is not much of an issue in the Philippines. Men
*Yet there can still be issues: and women are given almost the same opportunities, women’s
right are respected and women are empowered to have
• in matters of promotions: responsibilities not only in the family, but even in society.
Is there really an objectivity? Women can be elected to political positions as in the case of
Was the better person for the job, the one that was promoted? Pres. Cory Aquino and Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Were there really no sexual harassments or sexual seductions
that occurred in the promotion process? Did the person/s in- *yet there can still be issues:
charge of promotions and candidates or nominees themselves
for the promotion really played fairly? • in matters of promotions:
Is there really an objectivity?
If these questions cannot be answered categorically and
truthfully, then there could be an issue regarding gender Was the better person for the job, the one that was promoted?
equality, especially when the promotion is between male and Were there really no sexual harassments or sexual seductions
female candidates or nominees. that occurred in the promotion process? Did the person/s in-
charge of promotions and candidates or nominees themselves
• professional/clerical vs (heavy) manual— [who has the for the promotion really played fairly?
better pay; breadwinner?]
If these questions cannot be answered categorically and
house/household management truthfully, then there could be an issue regarding gender
equality, especially when the promotion is between male and
Gender Equality, a Discussion female candidates or nominees.

According to the United Nations: • professional/clerical vs (heavy) manual—[who has the

Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but better pay; breadwinner?]
a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and women can have better opportunities for
sustainable world. professional/clerical work; none, if not few, women
would be engaged or employed as a construction
worker—in such case, if the wife works in the office and
Gender equality: is a political concept that emphasizes equality the husband works in the construction, who would have
between genders the better pay? Who now becomes the real
breadwinner?
typically defined as: women & men enjoying the same
opportunities, rights & responsibilities within all areas of life • house/household management

*Gender equality became an issue in the world forum since in in this aspect, we have to ask who is better in household
some countries, women do not get and enjoy the same management, is it the man or the woman? Who would
opportunities, rights & responsibilities as men. As such, there always want the house clean and orderly, the husband or
has been an issue of discrimination. In applying for a job, for the wife? What things would a man buy for the
example, there is a greater probability that men will get the job house/home? What things would a woman buy for the
over the women applicants. In some countries, women may house/home? Certainly, they would have different
have the same job or work that their male counterparts have preferences. How much more, when we speak of color,
yet they are paid less than the men. Men would have a greater for example of the curtain, the living room furniture and
opportunity for promotion than women. There could be fewer others that can be bought with color?
job openings for women than men. In other countries, women
are not allowed to vote during elections. These are just some An issue that later came about is that of same-sex marriage,
issues that paved the way for gender equality to be pushed. which to a lot of people is part of gender equality. However, if
you consider the definition of gender equality strictly, such is not
*Gender equality might mean that women & men should be an issue of gender equality. Anyway, let us take a look at the
treated equally, or differently issue.

*It does not require that girls and boys, or women and men, be Same-sex marriage: also known as gay marriage
the same, or that they be treated exactly alike marriage of two people of
the same sex or gender, entered
into in a civil or religious ceremony
The two quotations above tells us that men and women cannot
still be treated equally. You cannot give women very heavy How do we view same-sex marriage in the Philippines:
manual work as you would give men. When you look at the following article, which discusses whether
same-sex marriage should be allowed in the Philippines or not:
Gender equality is achieved when:
we discover that Filipinos are divided in their opinions, straight
• women & men enjoy the same rights & opportunities
or gay/lesbian
across all sectors of society, including economic
participation & decision-making
As to the question, whether transgenders should be allowed to
compete in beauty peagants:
• different behaviors, aspirations & needs of women & men
are equally valued & favored
still Filipinos are divided in their opinions, straight or • (in relation to claiming of rights) the so-called
gay/lesbian “invasions” of gender & sexuality
in claiming (additional) rights, does the LGBTQ+ community
Remember Angela Ponce? not “invade” the domain of the so-called “straight (men &
Angela Ponce is a Spanish model. She joined the Miss Universe women)” domain
Spain 2018 peagant and won the title.
*look at the case of Gretchen Diez & Laurel Hubbard
The outrage that followed Hubbard's gold medal wins in Apia
prompted the Games Council to commit to a thorough review objectively speaking a gay, transgender woman (if you may
of its policies, and groups in New Zealand and the United call it that) is not a woman and cannot be one hundred percent
Kingdom have since called for the International Olympic a woman even if one undergoes sexual re-assignment
Committee (IOC) to suspend its rules that allow male-to-female Gretchen Diez uses the women’s comfort room of the mall.
transgender athletes to take part in women's competitions. Was there really no “invasion” of the women’s (straight) domain
In the United States, a transgender athlete and scientist who when she did that?
advises the IOC is calling for existing testosterone limits to be
halved. Laurel Hubbard competes in the women’s weightlifting, she
claims to be a woman, yet most of her physical built remains a
There was the controversy that erupted in the wake of New man. Was there really no “invasion” of the women’s (straight)
Zealand transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard winning gold at domain when she did that?
the Pacific Games in Samoa that reverberated around the world.
Angela Ponce, wins the title in Miss Universe Spain 2018.
Remember the case of Gretchen Diez, which happened on Since, she has made herself look very much of a woman and
August 13, 2019? carries with her sentiments that are very much woman, has she
She was forced by the janitress (and later on with the help of the not invaded the women’s (straight) domain? Is it not unfair to the
security of the mall) to move out from the women’s comfort room. other women that competed there that she wins the title?
Her case brought about the issue of gender equality.
• legality vs. morality
Manny Pacquiao loses endorsement of Nike because of his If we make same-sex marriage legal, does it make same-sex
Christian principle that same-sex marriage is not according to marriage moral?
God’s design/plan. He commented that animals do not have
sexual intercourse with the same sex. A lot of the members of no church, Christian denomination, or religion has advocated
the LGBTQ+ community got mad at him saying that he and favored same-sex marriage
compared them to animals. However, if you are objective
enough and not biased on his opinion, Pacquiao never said I posed questions here regarding the issue. You may
anything like that. think, because of the opinions you might have heard, that I am
biased. I have nothing against the LGBTQ+ community. I
Renee Salud, a respected gay and consultant of Binibining respect gays as they are, lesbians as they are, bisexuals as they
Pilipinas tells gays that they should know where they stand are, transgenders as they are, those in query as they are, and
(gay or lesbian) so people will not ridicule or make fun of others (+s) as they are. I respect them as human beings as all
us(them)…He tells gays not to dress up or try so hard to look others are. Straight people (men and women) must not
like a woman (or a man,if one is lesbian)—because we are not discriminate them, but they should also not discriminate straight
such. He also says that gays or transgenders should not be people (men and women) of what is also rightfully theirs.
involved in women’s peagants but in their own (gay) peagant
My simple hope is that we also give time to reflect on what God
Same-sex marriage brought about these other related issues: has truly gifted us with. That we be open- and broad-minded
• popularity vs. unpopularity about things—not simply taking opinions as such. I think there
is no problem in asking questions. We are not more equal than
This is a matter of opinion, meaning who gets the more anyone else. If we do respect human equality, we will not go
popular opinion. Just imagine a top five candidate in the Miss overboard to ask more rights than we already have.
Universe. If she would asked about the acceptance of
transgenders in the peagant, would she ever say that they
Module 3. The Gift of Gender, Sex &
should not. If she does say so, you could immediately conclude,
she would not win the peagant. Sexuality Topic 2. Sexuality, Love & Attraction

Falling in love is not love

• claim of rights
what rights are the LGBTQ+ asking? subjectively experienced in a very powerful fashion
We have our basic human rights clearly stated in our Philippine
Constitution and the United Nations’ Declaration of human a very strong attraction toward another person, which is what
rights? falling in love actually is

What right human right is violated if same-sex marriage is not is specifically a sex-linked erotic experience
allowed? Is marriage a requirement in human life?
one falls in love only when one is consciously or unconsciously
Please note that our basic human rights are the only rightful sexually motivated
rights we can claim.
is a genetically determined instinctual component of mating
behavior
Falling in love • real or true love is a choice and a commitment: to be
with the other person no matter what & to grow with
is a powerful experience or an experience of power that person
• an individual’s ego boundaries (the feeling of lack in Mature Conclusion:
one’s person) suddenly collapses
falling in love is a human experience we cannot choose—it
• the collapse permits one to merge one’s identity with happens and it would happen
another
but we can choose how to respond to such experience:
• the merging of identities creates an explosive pouring
out of oneself into the beloved & a dramatic surcease • fall in love, deeply fall in love, then fall out of love
of loneliness experienced in very ecstatic manner (the
lovers feel they are in “cloud 9”) • fall in love, fall out of love…fall in love again and fall out
of love again
• the lover & beloved strongly feel they are one—all
things seem possible! they can now conquer all • fall in love, fall out of love, yet decide to really and truly
obstacles; they believe their strong love will cause the love the same person and really, truly and deeply love
forces of opposition to bow down in submission & melt that person
away into the darkness
and we emphasize: real or true love is a choice and a
Falling in love, the reality behind… commitment—it involves a work of a lifetime

• ego boundaries simply refers to that feeling of Mature Conclusion:

inadequacy, that there is something lacking in
The Commitment of True Love:
ourselves
“…for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness or health till
• we fall in love with, or simply get attracted to, the most
death do us part”
unlikely person, because there is something in that
person that unconsciously we feel could fill in what we to be with each other no matter the circumstances
lack—could fill in our inadequacy
may seem a burdensome promise when the circumstances
• feeling that our lack has been filled up makes us feel are unfavorable
powerful—we are inadequate no more—the “two of us
are enough” in reality and truth is actually liberating, when two people see
their growth as persons no matter what the circumstances may
Falling in love, how the attraction happens… be
• a (straight) man would naturally fall in love with a
(straight) woman since she is his natural counterpart &
complement

• an introvert would most likely be attracted to an

extrovert

• a gay person is attracted to a man because there is

lack of maleness in him, which that man possesses; so
with a lesbian attracted to a woman

• a bisexual man, who still feels a void that could not

be filled up by his woman partner, is attracted to
another man, whom he thinks would fill that void; so it
is with a bisexual woman

• and so the list of attraction goes on…

Falling out of love and real loving…

• lovers fall out of love when ego boundaries snap

back, when the feeling of inadequacy attacks once
again—because even if there were a powerful merging
of identities, one would always remain to be one’s own
identity and no matter how powerful the merging is,
there would still exist an inadequacy

• falling out of love is actually the point when we have

to decide either to dissolve the ties of the relationship
or to initiate the work of real loving