Mely Silverio

Mely Dantes Silverio is a transgender Filipina woman who was involved in a high-profile legal case to have her gender recognized by the Philippine government.

Early life and education Mely Silverio was born in Manila to Melcio Petines Silverio and Anita Aquino Dantes on April 4, 1962, under a different given name. Assigned male at birth, Silverio maintained she is transgender and had more affinity in socializing with girls and playing games and toys often viewed as feminine.

Silverio attended the University of the Philippines where she obtained a bachelor's degree in statistics and a masters of arts degree. She went to the United States to study at the University of Hawaiʻi where she obtained a master's degree in sociology and a doctorate degree in sociology and philosophy.

The regional trial court in Manila issued a favorable ruling to Silverio on June 4, 2003. The Corona court disagreed with Silverio's arguments that granting the petition would cause more "confusion" to the civil registry and public interest, and maintained that there was no existing law to grant Silverio the relief she sought. The decision also makes reference to the Book of Genesis in the Bible which insisted on the viewpoint that there are only two sexes.

Personal life At the time of the filing of the petition, Silverio was engaged to a man.