ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Bakla

Bakla is a word used in the Philippines to describe someone who is male but has feminine characteristics or mannerisms.

Think of it like this – you know how some girls like to wear dresses and wear their hair long, while some boys like to wear pants and have short hair? Bakla are like boys who like to do some of the things that girls typically do, like wearing makeup or dressing in feminine clothes.

However, it's important to note that bakla is more than just wearing makeup or dressing in feminine clothes. Being bakla can also mean that a person identifies as a different gender than the one they were assigned at birth, like being transgender or non-binary.

Unfortunately, there are some people who discriminate against bakla and treat them unfairly. But it's important to remember that everyone deserves respect and kindness, no matter how they choose to express themselves.