Leading knows no Bounds: Perspective of an LGBTQ+ Student Leader

What makes a good leader? Does leadership have a gender?

For Alfredo, a student leader from the LGBTQ+ community, anyone, regardless of gender, is capable of leading.

And he is here to prove that he is not just a gay with no direction but a gay who can lead an organization.

Leadership Journey

Alfredo Gagawanan is a 24-years-old student leader from the LGBTQ+ community.

He started his leadership journey as a classroom Vice President in grade five.

Since then, being a student leader has been instilled in his personality.

He joins various high school organizations and is now the outgoing Student Council President of STI College Fairview.

It develops his strong leadership, where he gains confidence and courage to face people he meets.

Many times Alfredo questioned himself, but with bravery and heart for serving his fellow students, he pursued leading them.

“At first, I doubted myself if I could lead a class or organization because we know that being a leader is not an easy task; this is a serious responsibility that you need to devote diligence and perseverance.”

Being a Gay Leader

Coming out was easy for Alfredo since he was a child; his family was aware of his gender identity.

There were times before he received remarks like “Magpakalalaki ka nga!” from his relatives but when the time passed, they accepted him.

However, Alfredo still experiences being ridiculed and questioned by other people for being gay yet wanting to be a leader.

Based on his experience, he said that some still believe that LGBTQIA+ members are incapable of leading.

“I remember before; someone once questioned my leadership because of my sexuality. That person even said it is better if a real man is a leader because they are much more capable of leading. And I was completely silent on one side and imprinted all that I heard in my mind.”

On the other hand, this does not hinder Alfredo from becoming a leader.

It lit the fire inside him, making all those aspersions a motivation to do and achieve more.

He used those judgments as an inspiration to improve and be the leader he is proud to be.

“So now, I am so proud of myself because of all the challenges I have had in the past; I have grown even more resilient to show those who have underestimated my personality that I’m not only just a gay with no direction, that I can also lead an organization.”

Leading with Purpose

For Alfredo, a student-leader is someone whose priority is the welfare and improvement of his fellow students.

To perform his duties, he must implement projects or programs to help develop their personality.

Alfredo shared that he conducted a webinar last election encouraging his fellow students to participate in the 2022 national elections.

In this webinar, he shed light on today’s youth’s essential role and responsibilities in choosing the right leaders.

“Educating about the election would raise our social awareness while also allowing us to participate in political and social activities.”

Likewise, his organization offers activities like tree planting to raise awareness of the importance of protecting and caring for our environment.

“So, I believe, by the end of my term, I have been able to provide great aspirations for my co-students that they can use in their daily lives.”

Leadership Knows No Bounds

Alfredo defines leadership as to how successful you are in leading your team to achieve your goals.

He also said that the clarity and quality of goals you establish for your followers are essential things to consider in leadership.

Meanwhile, his leadership journey was not easy; he made difficult decisions that others might not like, but he ensured those were for a greater purpose.

And for him, leadership has no gender.

“People should not depend on what gender you have to be able to lead because I believe it is not in gender. We all have the ability and character to lead, whether you are a woman or a man or part of LGBTQIA+.”

For aspiring student leaders who are also experiencing the struggle of discrimination from other people, he advises them to,

“Be brave and never be affected by what other people say. Please take it as constructive criticism to improve and develop their leadership skills. I know it is hard what we are fighting for, but we have to stand up because it will serve as a way to show them what ability we have. Our battle will go a long way, so keep standing.”

What Alfredo experiences are just one of the hardships that most people from his community have to deal with.