Filipino trans boxer Hergie Bacyadan is set to make history at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he will compete in the women’s 75kg division. Despite identifying as a trans man, Bacyadan has not undergone hormone replacement therapy or gender reassignment surgery, allowing him to compete in the women’s category.
Bacyadan is one of five Filipino boxers representing the Philippines at the Paris Games, a significant achievement given the country’s total of 15 athletes. His participation in the women’s division has not been without controversy. In 2023, after winning the world championship in women’s vovinam—a Vietnamese martial art combining elements of boxing, judo, and wushu—Bacyadan faced backlash from the Russian vovinam team, who called for his gold medal to be nullified. He stood his ground, asserting his identity and the legitimacy of his victory.
If Bacyadan wins a medal in Paris, he will become the first trans male medallist in Olympic history. Expressing his pride in representing the LGBTQ+ community, Bacyadan told ABS-CBN News, “We will perform better to make a difference. My biggest motivation is my family, my tribe in Kalinga, and the people who believe I can win a medal at the Paris Olympics.”
Bacyadan’s personal life also reflects his commitment to LGBTQ+ visibility and rights. In November 2022, he married his long-term partner, Lady Denily Digo, in a ceremony conducted over Zoom, making their union legal in the US state of Utah. Despite same-sex marriage not being recognized in the Philippines, the couple celebrated their marriage with friends and family in March 2023.
The couple’s relationship, which began on TikTok, has been a beacon of hope and representation for many. Bacyadan and Digo have been vocal supporters of legislation protecting Filipinos from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Their story continues to inspire many within and beyond the LGBTQ+ community.