not to draw attention. But she emphasized she’s “girl na girl, ahit ganito ako ngayon,” referring to her more masculine gender expression. Seeing the many IDPs in the Saguiran EC, and as one of the home based IDP in Saguiaran, Michael volunteered to be one of the IDP group leaders. Asked if her being a transwman affected his leadership and the way he was treated by fellow IDPs, Michael shared that when he volunteered as team leader, he asked them if they will accept him as a leader and they did. Since then she served as one of the group leaders, she admits though that as a trans leader, she often hears painful things said about LGBTIs, it hurts and insults her and most of the times, she would choose not to say anything to prevent further conflict. He said, “Minsan nakakapagod din maging LGBTI, kung minsan may mariring ka ng hindi mo gusto. Minsan nakariniG ako na ‘kaya nagbarilan at nabomba ang Marawi dahil sa mga bakla’, mga ganun na mga masamang salita. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, wala kayong karapatan na humustaga pero hindi na ako nagsalita. Wala kayong karapatan humusga dahil una sa lahat hindi ako hinusgahan ng mga magulang at higit sa lahat hindi ko kayo binastos.” Michael also shared his dedication in helping his fellow IDPs, as group leader she takes it as is responsibility to communicate the needs and concerns of the members of his team to the camp manager. She also ensures that these needs are addressed. Asked of her request from the government, she said that many IDPs request for the provision of training and employment in addition to the housing that the government promised. She also wanted to have scissors and other hair cutting kits so she could continue providing hair cut services even among fellow IDPs. Michael is rare in that she allowed the conduct of the interview even if discussions of LGBTI or SOGIE is difficult, even taboo topic in Islam. Jamal, LGBTI, Saguiran Evacuation Center Jamal is one of the homebased IDPs in Saguiaran, he is 39 years old and when he escaped Marawi City, he was with his mother, his sister, and an aunt who recently suffered a mild stroke and is currently mobility impaired. They were not able to leave Marawi City because of the condition of his aunt, as such from the time the conflict started in the 23rd of May, they were only able to get out on the 27th. According to Jamal, they went out of the house and were lucky enough that the armed Maute men allowed them, including her aunt to get a ride out of the City. Since arrival in Saguiaran, Jamal is busy takingcare her family, including his aunt who is currently disabled. As he indentifies as gay, and also a Muslim I asked Jamal about his experience as gay Muslim. In response, Jamal said that while he is out as gay, it cannot be said that he is accepted by his family – it feels more like being tolerated. He said it like a “forbidden reality,” he calls it “ tanggap na hindi tanggap.” He explained that it is difficult to fight for one’s rights as LGBTI in Islam, while people may be broad minded, religion is simply not separated from institutions, and in the end, religion weighs more. It is more superior. He clarified though that more and more he is being accepted by his family, but that some people still judge him for being gay. He said “Yung mga ibang tao, hindi ka naman nila kilala pero kung makahusga sila sasabihin, ang mga bakla ganito, ganito ...” Like others he wanted the conflict to end so that he can bring his mother, sister and aunt home. Even as homebased IDPs, they are burdened by this continuing conflict and displacement. STORY OF YOUNG MOTHERS 62