Bahaghari: Visibilizing the Experiences and Resistance of LGBTQ+ Filipinx Americans in the Diaspora

Filipinx American lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer plus (LGBTQ+) are an understudied population. With the continued increase of anti-LGBTQ+ policies concerning and attacks toward Asian Americans—including Filipinx Americans—in the United States, it is important to examine the identity formation, experiences, and current conditions of Filipinx American LGBTQ+. This chapter discusses the precolonial and colonial history of the conceptualization of what society understands today as the Filipino and Filipinx American LGBTQ+ identity. Furthermore, it examines how these identities are further shaped and in contention with religion, familism, race and ethnicity, im/migration, and education that influence the contemporary experiences and issues facing LGBTQ+ Filipino and Filipinx Americans. Despite such challenges, LGBTQ+ Filipinx Americans continue to resist through organizing and community building. The chapter concludes with implications for conducting research with and providing social work services to the Filipinx LGBTQ+ community.