For All Women and Girls: Ging Cristobal on championing LGBTIQ+ rights and redefining equality in the Philippines

#ForAllWomenAndGirls is a rallying call for action on the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Ging Cristobal is a human rights activist and former Project Coordinator for Asia and the Pacific at Outright International – a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and other (LGBTIQ+) human rights non-governmental organization. She has spent nearly three decades advocating for the rights and dignity of LGBTIQ+ communities in the Philippines by creating safer, more inclusive spaces where people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, expressions and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) are recognized, protected and empowered.

“You can’t talk about gender equality without including LGBTIQ+ people. Our struggles are connected,” she says.

Grounding LGBTIQ+ advocacy in feminism and human rights

Cristobal’s activism began in 1996, grounded in feminist values and a deep commitment to human rights. Raised in a family led by strong matriarchs, she grew up in an environment where traditional gender roles did not define one’s place or value. This upbringing shaped her understanding of equality and fuelled her early involvement in feminist movements before expanding into LGBTIQ+ advocacy.

“In my family, there was no such thing as women's work or men’s work, but outside, I saw how rigid gender expectations and discrimination limited people’s lives, especially for those of us who are LGBTIQ+,” she explains.

As a lesbian mother, Cristobal has navigated the legal complexities of co-parenting in a system that does not recognize same-sex families. “For years, I had to carry authorization letters just to travel with my daughter. Our families exist, and we deserve recognition and protection under the law,” she says.

Cristobal has been at the forefront of efforts to pass comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation. LGBTIQ+ Filipinos face widespread discrimination, often justified by cultural or religious beliefs. Cristobal has tirelessly campaigned for the inclusion of SOGIESC protections in national laws. Despite more than 25 years of advocacy, the comprehensive anti-discrimination bill remains stalled in Congress.

“We have many local ordinances, 53 in total, but without a national law, protections are inconsistent and often symbolic,” she explains. “What we need is true, enforceable equality.”

Strengthening local leadership and access to inclusive services

Through Outright International, Cristobal works closely with municipal governments and community leaders to strengthen their understanding of LGBTIQ+ rights and ensure access to inclusive services. A major focus of her work has been addressing gender-based violence against LGBTIQ+ individuals, particularly through capacity-building for barangay (city council) officials, who are often the first responders in cases of domestic violence and community conflict.

Recognizing the limits of in-person training, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, she and her team developed free, accessible online learning modules in both Tagalog and English. They include practical tools on case management, international human rights standards and national legal frameworks.

“We wanted to make sure that no one could say they didn’t have the information or resources to help,” she says.

Leaving No One Behind in humanitarian action and disaster response

Cristobal’s work also targets humanitarian action and disaster response, where LGBTIQ+ people are often excluded or made invisible. In a country frequently impacted by typhoons, earthquakes and other climate-related disasters, LGBTIQ+ communities face heightened vulnerability due to discrimination in access to emergency services and relief aid.

“Trans women are sometimes housed with men in evacuation centres, and same-sex couples are not recognized as families eligible for assistance,” Cristobal explains. “When we talk about resilience and recovery, we need to be clear: inclusion saves lives.”

Her advocacy aligns with the Beijing Platform for Action’s call for gender-responsive disaster preparedness and recovery.

“It shouldn’t depend on who you know in government or if you fit a traditional family mold. Everyone has the right to safety and support during a crisis,” she says. “True equality is only possible when everyone is at the table. We have come a long way, but we still have so much further to go. No one should be left behind.”