Pride 2025

Parang ang daming ganap sa bayan, sa mundo. Impeachment. Middle East war. Pero syempre, react tayo sa mga latest achuchuchu nila Mama Renee and Mother Ricky Reyes. They are vehemently opposed to same-sex marriage (though dapat civil unions). Pagdating sa pag-aari, pag-usapan na lang daw. (Sa palagay mo, ganon kadali pag-usapang ang ganyan??) Para sa straight naman raw talaga ang kasal.

I grew up with them as prominent gay celebrities, out in the open, practicing their crafts so stereotypically labeled as gay. I didn’t look up to them. They were not role models for me. But somehow, they managed to give visibility to being gay, both positively and negatively. I must say that they are survivors, and even thrivers, for like it or not, they have the financial capability and stability most everyone wants. So I have to give that to them. Considering how harsh the environment was when they were just starting, they made it. 

I am disheartened by their stand but not surprised. A large part of surviving in a very homophobic Metro Manila in those times was to be compliant to the ‘acceptable norms’ of being a deviation, a "deviant". That meant sticking to those careers and all the stereotypes (the comic relief, the clown), not rocking the boat or challenging the powers that be (including the Catholic Church). Just stay in your little corner and you’ll be allowed to survive and even thrive. Decades and decades of these and you internalize those values very strongly. Yes, internalized homophobia. 

I wish they weren't given a platform. But in this day of clickbaiting and content, that kind of POV was exactly what those who produced wanted. Maybe it serves the purpose of bringing internalized homophobia out in the open. Calling it out. Discussing the counter-arguments. Yeah, the "benefits" of democracy. 

 

I hope their statements become irrelevant (though I know this will be fodder for anti-LGBT activitists). But I do know that in ADHD world, another one will serve as "tea" very soon. 

 

I am proud to be gay. I am no longer in the corporate closet. And like them, I have reached a certain level of stability and comfort. Coming out is no longer an issue for me. But I do know that it still is an issue to many, many people out there. And my heart goes out to each and every soul, struggling with this, looking for safe spaces. 

We just watch "Delia D", the musical starring Phi Palmos yesterday. I had loads of fun! Just made me think that even if it was a story of a drag queen who enters a reality talent show, it touched on "coming out", of being authentic when you realized how much of you is actually a farce. I still have that "impostor syndrome", even at work. And you catch yourself thinking exactly that as you go through the motions. I am glad to be retiring soon. I'll have less of those. 

 

The call to be authentic is a sound you will hear lifelong. Like an onion, every layer you peel off reveals another. Maybe your SOGIE is just the first part. But it won't be the last. Don't beat yourself up for it. Everytime your 'aware' self sounds a bell to be more real and true, you have just grown up again. And that is a reason to celebrate. 

Happy Pride!