In much of the world, gender is viewed as binary: man or woman, each assigned characteristics and traits designated by biological sex. But that's not the case everywhere, says France Villarta. In a talk that's part cultural love letter, part history lesson, he details the legacy of gender fluidity and inclusivity in his native Philippines -- and emphasizes the universal beauty of all people, regardless of society's labels.

France Villarta: The gender-fluid history of the Philippines

The gender-fluid history of the Philippines

Exploring the Philippines' precolonial gender-fluid society, where cross-dressing shamans were revered, challenging binary norms.

The Spanish colonization imposed binary gender norms on the Philippines, erasing a history of gender inclusivity and fluidity.

Calls for reconstructing societal gender constructs to embrace diversity, echoing the Philippines' precolonial inclusivity legacy.