Statement from TLF Share: "Binibining Pilipinas can set standards but worrisome when they stigmatize and discriminate women"

All Women regardless of their shape or form, social and economic situation, health status, age, height, gender, SOGIESC, ability, and ethnicity are beautiful. Beauty pageants like the one organized by Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) can set their own criteria or standards based on their mission but it becomes worrisome when they start to stigmatize and discriminate women based on their HIV status or other health status for that matter. A Pageant qualification (in whatever documentary form) that highlight specific illnesses does not only exclude certain women from the pageant, it also stigmatizes all women who suffer from those illnesses. Stigma and discrimination is a very serious issue in the context of HIV and AIDS and it is further reinforced once gender-based bias comes into play.

Many women and members of the LGBTQIA community look up to the Binibining Pilipinas pageant, not to lead the fight for equality nor to end HIV related stigma and discrimination because women and LGBTQIA folx can do the fighting, but rather to respect, honor and celebrate the Filipina/FIilipinx. The fact that many women who suffer from cancer, HIV, epilepsy and other health conditions are still able to live with pride, fight valiantly, lead families and communities, and continue to care for others despite the challenges they face, is a thing of unequalled beauty that should be honored and celebrated.

The Binibining Pilipinas 2023, a space for women created by BPCI, should it continue to be a space where women who suffer from HIV, cancer and other affliction are excluded and stigmatized, cannot be a good place to crown a Binibining Pilipina/Pilipinx.