Filipino Gays and Transgenders Under Threat in The Islamic City of Marawi

SAGUIARAN, PHILIPPINES - OCTOBER 21: Jane Laut, 25, a transgender resident of Marawi city poses for a portrait inside the house of her friend on October 21, 2017 in Saguiaran, southern Philippines. Jane witnessed the execution of six residents by the Daesh-inspired militants while on their way out of Marawi city to escape the conflict. She now lives as an internally displaced person (IDP) with her family in another town. As the battle between government forces and Daesh-inspired militants ended recently in the Islamic City of Marawi, gay and transgender beauticians speak out about living under heavy discrimination and being gunned down for undetermined motives. Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders in the Southern Philippine island of Mindanao have been known to face gender-based threats and violence from ISIS inspired militants who believe that homosexuality should be punished while at least ten gays and transgenders had been killed since 2012. As Filipino residents slowly return to the rubble of their homes in Marawi, gays and transgenders in the city have to again confront their fears. Some have received death threats through letters that they should stop their homosexuality or else they will get killed. “We are not doing anything wrong, some people put the blame on us saying that Marawi was burned down by ISIS because God is trying to punish the city for our sins,” says Asnawi, a gay resident. “But give us arms and we will be ready to fight these invaders,” he added. (Photo by Jes Aznar/Getty Images)