Ateneo de Davao University has since made strides to bridge its socially progressive Jesuit values with the plight of the LGBTQIA+ community. Recent changes have stemmed from the various dialogues with the queer community and the student body at large. But even as a more culturally sensitive campus culture continues to foster a growing community of queers, many—both within and outside the campus—continue to push for better treatment and clearer protections.
A space to breathe
The university itself serves as the foundation of its inclusive campus culture, with policies and initiatives that promote respect, diversity, and belonging. Over the decades, these values have been steadily folded into university policies in response to the continuously shifting landscape of the student population, which have been refined repeatedly through both dialogues and student demands. That sense of belonging was strengthened by campus initiatives that celebrate queer identities year-round, including AdDU’s PrideFest every June.
First-year BS Architecture student John Garcia shared that the university fostered an environment where students could freely express themselves, whether by dressing in ways that reflect their lived identities, rejecting traditional gender norms, or openly embracing their sexuality.
“This is my first year at Ateneo, and it makes me so happy to see other students dressing up, doing extravagant makeup, and just being their authentic selves. I think that’s a good indication that this university is doing an excellent job of being inclusive, especially for the LGBTQIA+ community.”
Piety and progress
From having introduced all-gender comfort rooms in 2016 to recently implementing a revised dress code in 2025, these changes reflect a continued effort to dismantle long-standing barriers.
However, the university’s inclusive policies have consistently drawn criticism from different sectors. These range from conservative circles that believed these policies ran counter to the university’s Catholic values. At the same time, student advocates for queer rights contended that while meaningful progress has been made, certain policies remain insufficient. They pointed to unresolved issues, such as the lack of clear guidelines on gender-aligned uniforms for transgender students.
Many students who aim to dress in line with their identity have long faced challenges in wearing the uniform of their choice. In the past, the university required proof of medical transition before allowing students to wear the uniform corresponding to their gender identity, a policy that drew criticism for overlooking the lived experiences of transgender individuals and the significant financial, medical, and social barriers associated with transitioning. While the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) has since reportedly eased these requirements, student advocates argued that the university still lacks a clear, institutionalized policy that explicitly supports transgender and gender nonconforming students who wish to wear gender-aligned uniforms.
Apart from that, the university has embraced gender-neutral language in official documents and events, using titles such as “Mx.” and recognizing students by their lived names.
In 2025, the Ateneo Libulan Circle formally submitted a petition to the Office of the President and the Graduation Committee for the recognition of lived names in graduation ceremonies. Many students have likewise contributed to this culture by respecting their peers’ chosen names and pronouns, helping to create a campus where queer identities are affirmed in everyday interactions.
Second-year BS Aerospace Engineering student Danica Bito-on, who identifies as part of the aro-ace umbrella, said that the “queer-friendly nature” in AdDU has helped her fully accept herself.
“Having my education here has had a big impact on my growth as a person. Seeing people in the hallway with all sorts of styles has also driven me to experiment with how I want to express myself… Ultimately, they lead to bigger realizations about myself, such as how I feel attraction or how I want to be identified.”
Bito-on also emphasized that inclusive policies and culture have enabled students to realize themselves.
“[The policies have] uplifted those who are still getting comfortable in their own skin and [have] encouraged connection and involvement in the institution… while I don’t personally need a lived name policy, I observe how there are others that embraced an entirely new part of themselves, and I think that’s beautiful,” she added.
As the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights continues beyond the university’s gates, many queer Ateneans continue to find hope within them. Through institutional reforms, student-led initiatives, and everyday acts of acceptance, AdDU has remained a place where many can live more authentically. In a society still grappling with inclusion, that sense of belonging is, for many, worth celebrating.