by Joann Kimberly Zerna
For many queer students, leadership becomes one of the ways they make their presence felt within the communities they serve. Through student organizations and governance spaces, they take on responsibilities that shape campus life , proving that leadership extends beyond identity and into everyday service.
Pride Month is a celebration of the histories, identities, and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other gender-diverse communities (LGBTQIA+). Rooted in decades of resistance, the annual observance highlights the continuing effort of queer individuals to claim space, affirm their identities, and participate fully in the institutions they help build.
Queer leadership in Silliman University (SU) emerges through continued involvement rather than a single moment of entry. It grows through participation, through consistent attendance, assigned responsibilities, and following through on the responsibilities entrusted to them.
In time, they take on coordination and decision-making as part of their roles, not as separate milestones, but as part of how leadership is practiced day to day.
For Vin Trixter Gunot, Governor of the College of Computer Studies, the journey began during junior high school when he was encouraged to run for a student council position.
“Service has always been at my core because I know how impactful one meaningful act could be. That election trained me to become visible and to have a voice,” Gunot said.
What began as an opportunity to participate eventually altered how he understood leadership itself. As someone who has experienced the effects of limited representation, he carries that perspective into the decisions he makes as a student leader.
“I know how it feels to not be represented in the policies being implemented, so I make sure the policies we have are inclusive. In the events that we have, we make sure to consider different needs and experiences,” Gunot said.
A similar commitment guides Franz Miguel Tolentino, the 36th SU Student Government (SUSG) Student Assembly Representative of the College of Engineering and Design, whose leadership likewise developed through continued participation in student organizations.
“I have always been interested in taking on leadership roles because I see them as opportunities to share my skills, serve others, and contribute meaningfully to the community,” Tolentino said.
His experiences across different organizations exposed him to the varied challenges and responsibilities of student leadership, from supporting initiatives to helping guide decisions that affect the wider student body.
For Tolentino, the contributions of LGBTQIA+ student leaders go far beyond visibility.
“I believe LGBTQIA+ students contribute so much more than representation. Many bring creativity, innovation, and perspectives that help organizations grow. We often see possibilities where others see limitations,” he said.
In another corner of campus leadership, Josh Lajot, Vice-Chairperson of the Miss Silliman Committee, emphasizes the often unseen nature of student service.
“I wanted to be more involved, especially knowing that many of the experiences students enjoy are made possible by the student leaders working behind the scenes,” she said.
Lajot views leadership not through the lens of identity but through commitment and action.
“In the end, what matters most is dedication, ideas, and willingness to serve,” she said.
But beyond formal responsibilities, Lajot points to a side of leadership that is not captured in schedules or task lists. It shows the time spent listening to members who feel excluded, addressing concerns before they grow into larger tensions, and helping create an environment where people feel comfortable participating.
“We’re often the ones checking in on someone who feels left out, creating spaces where people feel safe, and carrying conversations about inclusion that can be emotionally draining,” she said.
The pressure becomes more pronounced during periods when organizational demands are at their highest. While deadlines, rehearsals, and event preparations compete for attention, student leaders are often expected to remain present for concerns that cannot be resolved through planning alone.
Much of this labor goes unnoticed, yet it directly influences how students experience campus organizations and whether they feel welcomed within them.
The experiences of these student leaders demonstrate that identity and contribution are not opposing forces. Instead, both inform how students engage with their communities and respond to the needs of others.
And as Pride Month continues to celebrate visibility and representation, it also highlights a larger reality — service is measured not only by the dedication of those who occupy the position but by the ones who empower people, guide decisions, and create opportunities for many.
At Silliman, queer student leaders are already doing that work every day. Their presence is reflected not only in the identities they carry, but in the communities they shape, the conversations they challenge, and the impact they indeed to leave behind.
After all, leadership extends far beyond pronouns.
