Rainbow Politics A Critical Analysis on the Perspectives of LGBTQ+ Youth Members on their Political Participation in Running for Sangguniang Kabataan Positions

Abstract

Rainbow politics is the emergence of queer-led governance in public spaces which can be viewed as a viable antithesis to male-dominated politics. It is garnering recognition in academia, but critics undermine its significance as a political science concept. Moreover, the prevalence of SOGIEbased discrimination remains a testament that the issue requires recognition. It is among the sector’s dilemma that only a few members and allies occupy elective posts who will advance their causes. In this regard, the researchers conducted a study aiming to understand the perspectives of LGBTQ+ youth members on their political participation in the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK). The study’s theoretical framework is focused on the Grounded Theory Approach and Critical Theory, particularly Third-Wave Feminism. While the former was used to assess the impacts of institutions, the latter was to analyze motivations, deterrents, and challenges faced by the study’s participants. An online semi-structured interview was conducted to gather the data. Results revealed that rainbow politics as viewed through the political participation of LGBTQ+ youth members in the SK elections is still considered in its developmental stage. Findings suggest that most participants centered their advocacies as voices of the youth sector in general and not representatives of the rainbow community. Furthermore, there is a propensity for LGBTQ+ youth leaders to act in accordance with society’s masculine standard just to fit in, hence concealing their LGBTQ+ characteristics. However, the fact that young members of the rainbow sector tried to penetrate the realm dominated by men is a good sign that there are efforts to deviate from the patriarchal status quo—a situation where leaders are defined based on capabilities and SOGIE diversity is accepted in the political realm.