Galvez, Lakeisha Marie A.
BS PSYCHOLOGY - IV
LGBT Psychology: Transgender Group
April 26, 2023
CALL HER GANDA: A REFLECTION PAPER
For a requirement in our LGBT Psychology class, I recently watched a film that shook me
to my core and reignited my passion for social justice and equality. Call Her Ganda (2018) focused
on the tragic murder of Jennifer Laude, a transwoman who was brutally killed by an American
navy officer, Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, in a hotel in Olongapo City, Philippines.
The documentary highlights the ongoing human rights violations against transwomen and other
members of the LGBTQ+ community which is truly heart-shattering and disturbing to watch.
Prior to watching the documentary, I was aware of Jennifer Laude's fate, but I had not fully
grasped the extent of the injustice she faced. Despite Pemberton's camp claiming that her murder
was due to her failure to disclose her gender identity before engaging in sexual activity with him,
it is clear that her death was the result of power and force being used to oppress the poor and
marginalized. Additionally, Pemberton's heinous act was fueled by blatant homophobia and
transphobia, as he viewed her gender identity as deceitful and punishable.
Jennifer was not just another statistic; she was a loving daughter, a loyal friend, and a kindhearted person who wanted nothing more than to live her life as who she truly was. But because
of her status in life, Jennifer had to engage in sex work to support herself and her family. Her
economic status and gender identity made her vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, and violence,
which led to her tragic fate.
The documentary also highlighted how politics and American influence played a role in
Pemberton's reduced sentence and comfortable detention, which disadvantaged Jennifer, her
family, and the LGBTQ+ and transgender community. Despite efforts to portray justice and
fairness, the American government still held the upper hand in the situation as seen with
Pemberton's status, a privilege granted by his citizenship. This whole incident raises questions
about the effectiveness of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the
United States, which was signed in 1999 to regulate the status of American military personnel in
the Philippines.
Watching the documentary taught me the need to abandon a tolerant mindset and fully
accept transwomen as women and members of our society. Tolerance is not enough, and we need
to strive towards becoming an accepting nation. By opening our hearts and minds to their struggles
and needs, we can create a safe space for them and for everyone around us. Transgender rights are
human rights, and by acknowledging this fact, we can prevent tragedies like Jennifer's from
occurring in the future.
One way we can support the transgender community is by advocating for policies that
protect their rights and promote their inclusion in society. This includes providing access to
healthcare, education, employment, and housing, as well as creating safe spaces where they can
express themselves freely without fear of discrimination or violence. We also need to educate
ourselves and others about the challenges that transgender individuals face, and strive to be allies
and advocates for their cause.
In conclusion, the tragic murder of Jennifer Laude is a stark reminder of the ongoing human
rights violations against the transgender community. We must do better as a society to ensure that
transgender individuals are not only tolerated, but fully accepted and included in our communities.
By standing up for their rights and advocating for their inclusion, we can create a world where
everyone is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their gender identity.