TUSOK BALITA ONLINE - A Publication of the National Darts Federation of the Philippines
    Updated October 25, 2016

PRESIDENT’S CORNER
NDFP DEFINES LADIES/FEMALES’ SINGLES EVENT

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Waka Mendoza of Baguio City won the Darterong Pinoy 2016 Female/Ladies Singles. Being a gay person, endless discussions are on-going.

The position of the National Darts Federation of the Philippines (NDFP) as the event organizer on the ladies’ singles is misunderstood. And, not universally clear to the darting community especially to the male darters who vigorously oppose the integration.

In 2010, the darters of Baguio City inquired if the gay darters can participate in the ladies singles. Because the NDFP classifies the ladies/female event as a Gender based event for ladies – they were allowed to play.

In line with the researches and papers that came out since 1955, gender is defined as “the range of characteristics pertaining to, and differentiating between, masculinity and femininity. Characteristics may include biological sex, sex-based social structures, or gender identity”.

“Gender identity refers to a personal identification with a particular gender and gender role in society”.

“Sex is what you are biologically; gender is what you become socially; gender identity is your own sense or conviction of maleness or femaleness”.

Thus the NDFP defined the Ladies/Female Event as a Gender event based on the natural science of sex and the social constructs of gender identity. The current misunderstanding stems from the traditional view that this dart event is a biological event based on sex and thus on genitalia alone. But, the recent humanities and social research came out with the concept of gender identity and the NDFP integrated this concept in the gender-based ladies event. Please note that there is no Men’s Singles event but an Open Singles in line with the belief that events are not sex based.

We are not going to delve on the intricacies of sexual orientation, transgender, transsexual, and a host of other issues but only to simply define the event as should be understood and implemented - Events that recognize the diversity of our population and the respect for the human rights of all individuals.

Yes, there will be questions and criticisms. But, viewed within the context of the overall thrust of the NDFP to expand the different segments of players, there will always be questions of fairness and parity. The Youth Singles was launched in 1999 to expand participation of the youth with age limit of 18 years old that was questioned in comparison with the PDC Youth event of up to 23 years old. The Seniors Singles was launched for players past their prime and the senior’s age was questioned to be too young at 45. The Ladies Event will not be spared. The spectrum of opinions will range from compassion and understanding to outright bigotry and discrimination. We have stated our rationale and in what we believe in.

Times have changed, and will continue to change. Technology has advanced significantly and societal norms have considerably evolved. We are a thriving and growing organization – and it is our duty and responsibility to evolve, innovate, and adapt with the change of times. Change is the heartbeat of growth, and we cannot become what we want to be by remaining what we are.

PS: Jelo Indalos, a practicing nurse in Baguio City, is the first player from the gay community to play in the NDFP Ladies Singles in 2010 and continues to play. The darters of the ladies and gay community in Baguio are flourishing and Waka Mendoza is a product of such expansion playing since 2014. All players who identify with the female gender do not be discouraged as we stand firm in what we believe is right.

RTS