Abstract. Being trans-gender, specifically trans-woman still comes with a stigma attached even though it is reported that an estimated 9 to 9.5 million trans-gender people live in the Asia-Pacific region, with the majority being trans-women, according to a UNDP May 2012 report. However, research exploring the different aspects of trans-genders’ lives in that same region is not much, but growing. Studies done in the United States of America suggest that trans-gender people face high rates of discrimination (Grant, et. al, 2011; Kosciw & Diaz, 2006; Grossman & D’Augelli, 2006). However, little is known about the types of discrimination trans-women face in the Philippines context. This phenomenological study explores the experiences of ten trans women in the Philippines through a semi-structured interview guide. All interviews and focus groups were conducted in the cities of Dasmariñas and Santa Rosa. Seven themes emerged from analysis of data: awareness of participants’ differences, family, violence and abuse, employment, access to health, support, and hope for the future.

Nadine A. Joseph