Manila, Philippines — For the first time in Philippine history, intersex individuals and parents of intersex children are stepping out of the shadows to tell their own stories. In commemoration of the Intersex Awareness Month, the Intersex Philippines has debuted “I Exist,” a groundbreaking short documentary supported by the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) and directed by award-winning documentary filmmaker and human rights advocate Rhadem Musawah.
The documentary captures the deeply personal journeys of eleven intersex individuals and parents of intersex children who, for generations, have lived in silence and invisibility. Through raw testimonies and moving portraits, I Exist unveils not only their struggles but also their courage to claim dignity, voice, and recognition.
I EXIST Short Documentary Video – https://youtu.be/Gbz1nPrIAnE?si=hIyrOcxvNK9hT0lX
One of the most poignant stories is told by Karen Lara, a mother raising an intersex child. She said, “As a mother, it is incredibly difficult. From the moment my child was born, and even now as she grows, I am always thinking about what her future will be like. Will she be accepted? Will there be anyone who truly accepts her for who she is?”
Joey Lazarte, a lawyer, also shared in the documentary, “Because of my intersex condition, developed undescended testicles. If only it had been properly diagnosed early, it would not have progressed into cancer.” Their words echo the lived reality of countless intersex Filipinos and their families in the country, who continue to face stigma, poverty, and a lack of institutional support in a system that does not yet fully recognize or protect them.
The Unseen Community
Globally, the United Nations estimates that up to 1.7% of the population is born with intersex traits, making being intersex about as common as having naturally red hair.
Advocacy Through Art
The documentary was created to amplify the call for two urgent priorities. The first is the passage of the Cagandahan Bill, named after Jeff Cagandahan, which seeks to establish an accessible legal pathway for intersex Filipinos to change their first names and sex markers in civil registries without the burden of costly and lengthy court procedures.
The second is the strengthening of intersex-inclusive provisions under the Rare Diseases Act and the Universal Health Care Law, ensuring that intersex children and adults can access life-saving medical support without discrimination.
“We are using art as a platform to educate people, to empower our community, and to engage with the Philippine government,” said Jeff Cagandahan. “This film is more than stories of intersex people; it is a call to action.”
A Question for the Nation
I Exist is more than a documentary; it is a movement. It challenges Filipinos to confront the uncomfortable truth that while intersex people are part of our communities, our laws and institutions have yet to fully acknowledge their existence.
As the voices and stories of intersex Filipinos and their families reach the public, the question becomes: Since intersex people exist, will we choose to truly see them and take action to build a future where they can not only survive, but also thrive?
