By the Philippine Psychiatric Association
The Philippine Psychiatric Association, Inc. (PPA), is a society of licensed Psychiatrists that upholds the highest ethical standards of professionalism not just in the medical care of psychiatric patients but in the mental health and well-being of all Filipinos as well. The PPA, being a subspecialty association of the Philippine Medical Association, also subscribes to the ethical statements of the medical profession for the benefit of all patients.
As Filipino physicians, we recognize our responsibility to uphold the esteemed representation of our profession. As such, we consider irresponsible and uninformed social media posts regarding our profession and mental health in general, as a cause for offence.
There is an open discussion about human sexuality issues and we agree that there should be a congenial space for said discussion. Please note that some confusion may arise because of the misinformation and misinterpretations of certain terminologies. We recognize that individuals and the community may have their own terminologies which may be open to
different interpretations and be a cause for misunderstanding.
Therefore, we would like to address this and reiterate the four main concepts of human sexuality:
1. Sex,
2. Gender Identity,
3. Sexual Orientation,
4. Gender Expression.
1. Sex refers to a person’s biological status and is typically categorized as male, female or intersex (i.e. atypical combinations of features that usually distinguish male from female). There are a number of indicators of biological sex including sex
chromosomes, gonads, internal reproductive organs and external genitalia.
2. Gender refers to the attitudes, feelings and behaviors that a given culture associates with a person’s biological sex. Gender Identity refers to one’s sense of oneself as male, female, or transgender. When one’s gender identity and biological sex are not
congruent, the individual may identify as transsexual or as another transgender category.
3. Sexual Orientation refers to the sex of those whom one is sexually and romantically attracted.
4. Gender Expression refers to the “way in which a person acts to communicate gender within a given culture; for example, in terms of clothing, communication patterns and interests. A person’s gender expression may or may not be consistent
with socially prescribed gender roles, and may or may not reflect his or her gender identity” (APA, 2008, p.28).
(Source: American Psychological Association, Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Clients, January 2012. American Psychologist)
It is hoped that we as physicians and members of the PPA and the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), we will be guided by the proper definition of terms regarding human sexuality and that we uphold the ethical principles of the medical profession applicable to social media posts and should be guided accordingly in the practice of our profession and conduct as
citizens of our community.
Prepared by: