This Pride Month was meant to be a celebration—a time to honor love, identity, and community. But for the LGBTQ+ community in the Philippines, June has become a month of mourning.
In the span of just days, two trans women, both vibrant members of their communities, were violently taken from the world. Their stories have sparked outrage, grief, and renewed calls for justice. But above all, they serve as urgent reminders that Pride is not just a parade—it is a protest against violence, silence, and systemic neglect.
The Loss of Kierra Apostol: A Life Cut Short
On June 23, the lifeless body of 18-year-old Kierra Apostol was found in a river in Peñablanca, Cagayan. Kierra, a business management student at Cagayan State University and formerly known as Gian Molina, had gone missing after telling her mother she was sleeping over at a friend’s house.
Her disappearance sparked concern when friends visited her family home on Sunday to ask about her whereabouts. The next morning, her body was discovered—bruised, battered, and floating in the water. Her mother, Marinel Morina, confirmed signs of physical assault. It was a devastating confirmation of what many feared: Kierra had become yet another victim of a violent, transphobic culture.
LGBTQ+ rights group Bahaghari responded with condemnation. “Kierra could’ve been celebrating Pride with her community in Cagayan,” said chairperson Reyna Valmores Salinas. “But her life was cut short due to hate perpetuated by a macho-patriarchal culture.”
The community is reeling, not just from grief, but from a disturbing familiarity. Too many names, too many tragedies, and still—no justice.
The Case of Sherwin Kyqle and an Unresolved Crime
As authorities began investigating, a man named Sherwin Kyqle, a criminology student from the University of Cagayan Valley, voluntarily surrendered to clear his name after being tagged in social media posts. Kyqle admitted he had picked up Kierra the night of her disappearance, but denied any involvement in her death.
He claimed he was with two to three companions that evening. The investigation is ongoing, but the details remain murky. What is clear, however, is that Kierra’s death is more than just an isolated incident—it’s part of a pattern.
Another Tragedy: The Killing of Ali Macalintal
As the community mourned Kierra, another shockwave hit.
On the same day—June 23—Ali Macalintal, a trans woman and former journalist, was shot and killed in an acupuncture clinic in General Santos City. Ali was a former deputy secretary general of Karapatan-Soccsksargen Region and had worked as a reporter with Radio Philippines Network DXDX.
She was not just a trans woman—she was a voice for the voiceless, a fighter for human rights. Her assassination, carried out by an unidentified gunman, was not just a personal loss. It was a violent silencing of a woman who had spent her life speaking out.
A Pattern of Violence and Systemic Failure
These killings are not random. They are part of a chilling pattern that LGBTQ+ Filipinos know too well.
From Jennifer Laude in 2014 to the murders this June, the Philippines continues to grapple with deeply rooted cultural, legal, and institutional challenges when it comes to protecting queer lives.
Despite years of advocacy, the country still lacks comprehensive anti-discrimination laws that protect individuals on the basis of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC).
Without such laws, hate crimes often go underreported, under-investigated, or simply ignored. Trans women, in particular, face increased vulnerability—not just from strangers, but sometimes from those they trust.
The Call for SOGIESC Equality Bill
Bahaghari and other LGBTQ+ advocates are once again calling on lawmakers to pass the SOGIESC Equality Bill. This proposed legislation seeks to provide legal remedies against discrimination in employment, healthcare, education, public services, and law enforcement.
But time and again, the bill has stalled in Congress—silenced by political maneuvering, religious conservatism, and public apathy.
Reyna Valmores Salinas emphasized, “Kierra’s case is an urgent reminder to pass the SOGIESC Equality Bill. We cannot let more trans lives be lost before the government takes meaningful action.”
Remember Their Names, Honor Their Lives
Kierra Apostol was 18. A student. A daughter. A friend.
Ali Macalintal was a journalist. An activist. A fighter.
Both were proud trans women, trying to live authentically in a world that too often punishes authenticity with brutality.
Their deaths are not just tragic—they are political. They expose the fault lines in a society that claims to be tolerant yet refuses to protect its most marginalized citizens. Until we name the hate, legislate against the violence, and change the culture that enables it, Pride will remain incomplete.
This month, we mourn. But we also rise—with louder voices, bolder demands, and an unwavering belief: trans lives matter, and they deserve justice, dignity, and peace.
Let us make sure that Kierra and Ali did not die in vain. Let their names echo in every call to action, every march, every petition. Because justice delayed is justice denied—and too many have waited too long.
