EARIST urged to drop 'discriminatory' policy on hair length restrictions

MANILA, Philippines — Youth groups have called out a public university in Manila for reportedly denying enrollment to transgender students for not adhering to the hair length restrictions for male students. 

A school-based student organization focused on LGBTQ advocacies said in a statement last week that the policies of Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST) are “outdated” and discriminatory towards students on the basis of their gender expression.

Prohibiting transgender students from enrolling unless they cut their “long hair” is a “violation of students’ rights and a clear form of discrimination,” said JP Brillantes of Bahaghari - EARIST. 

According to a 2023 memorandum posted on EARIST’s Facebook page, which includes provisions of its student handbook in 2021, male students are required to "observe a clean and decent haircut [barber's cut 2 inches by 3 inches] without colorful highlights," while female students are not allowed to have "colorful hair highlights."

The university’s rules on “proper decorum” only allow exceptions for working students who require a certain hairstyle for work upon approval.

The memorandum does not mention provisions in EARIST’s student handbook, if any, that allow students to wear gender-affirming uniforms or hairstyles

EARIST is located in the city of Manila, where local government officials implemented an ordinance in 2020 prohibiting discrimination on the basis of a person’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE). 

RELATED: Manila signs ordinance prohibiting gender discrimination  

One of the prohibited acts listed in Ordinance No. 8695 is the denial of admission to students "on the basis of actual or perceived (SOGIE), including imposing disciplinary sanctions higher than customary or similar penalties, restirctions or prohibitions due to the (SOGIE) of such person or student."

Brillantes said that Bahaghari - EARIST had filed a formal complaint with the university’s Office of the President as far back as October 2023. 

Their complaint stemmed from reported incidents where transgender students were allegedly denied enrollment due to the length of their hair, with school