Pride and Prejudice and the Filipino LGBT Community
/
2019 Mr. Gay World, John Jeffrey Carlos, 2nd from right (photo: MrGayWorld.com)
While progress has been made in several Western countries as evidenced by the legalization of same-sex marriage, and in the cases of Belgium, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg and Serbia where their heads of state (Prime Ministers) are openly lesbian or gay, much remains to be desired in the rest of the world when it comes to LGBT rights and acceptance.
In several countries like Yemen, Iran, Saudi Arabia and others adhering to the Sharia Law, citizens can be imprisoned or put to death for practicing homosexuality.
In the Philippines, where the Roman Catholic religion is considered the biggest barrier to acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle, LGBTs are generally tolerated but are also often the subject of jokes and taunting. Ironically, openly gay showbiz personalities like Vice Ganda, command a large following.
Gay beauty pageants are always among the main events at community celebrations such as town fiestas. The month of May is never complete without a gay version of the semireligious festival, the Santacruzan.
What’s more, Filipinos have performed well in international pageants. This year, John Jeffrey "Janjep" Carlos became the second Filipino and Asian to win the Mr. Gay World crown after winning in the pageant held in South Africa. Carlos, who hails from Cavite, bested 21 other candidates in the final round of the pageant in Cape Town, South Africa on May 4. He joins fellow Filipino John Fernandez Raspado of Baguio City, who won the crown in 2017.
Mr. Gay World World 2017 John Raspado (photo: John Raspado Facebook page)
Filipinos have also won queenly pageants, like Trixie Maristela who was crowned Miss International Queen in Pattaya, Thailand in 2015.
Miss International Queen 2015 Trixie Maristela (Photo courtesy of pep.ph)
Politics
In the field of politics, Geraldine Batista Roman, a journalist and politician, was elected as the Representative of the 1st District of Bataan following the 2016 Philippine elections, becoming the first openly transgender woman elected to the Congress of the Philippines. Many LGBTs, however, have expressed disappointment that Roman hasn’t done more for the community in terms of legislation.
Congresswoman Geraldine Roman (Photo from facebook)
There is a proposal in the House of Representatives regarding the legalization of same-sex unions. The House is currently conducting an online survey, asking respondents whether or not they are in favor of the proposed legislation. As of this writing, 59 percent said they were against, 41 percent in favor, and 1 percent undecided. The survey coincides with Pride month and comes just days after Taiwan became the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage.
In 2015, a petition seeking to allow same-sex marriage in the Philippines was filed before the Supreme Court by openly gay lawyer Jesus Falcis. It is still awaiting the high court’s ruling.
Philippine President Duterte Flip-Flops
During his political campaign in 2016, presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte said that while he was against same-sex marriage, he would consider legalizing it.
In December, 2017, in a speech at the 7th LGBT Davao Year-End Gathering, he said. “If that is the trend of the modern times, if that will add to your happiness, I am all for it.”
Fighting for marriage equality: John Raspado, middle (Photo courtesy of Pastor Myke Sotero)
Later, Duterte said he was against same-sex marriage, asserting that the law only recognizes unions between a man and woman in this predominantly Catholic country.
Then again, in July last year, Duterte said he was in favor of civil unions but not same-sex marriage. This, after pollster Social Weather Stations (SWS) released a survey showing that a majority of Filipinos are against legalizing same-sex marriage.
Not only are LGBTs confused about Duterte’s real stance on same-sex marriage, they are disappointed at his rhetoric, especially directed at critics, like Senator Antonio Trillanes.
In a recent speech while visiting Japan, he said Trillanes’ ways prove he is homosexual, then proceeded to declare that he used to be gay but that he cured himself after meeting his now ex-wife Elizabeth Zimmerman. His statement comes at a time when more and more U.S. states are outlawing the practice of gay conversion therapy.
Despite It All...
Amid the tolerance, uncertainty, flip-flopping, and yes, celebration of pride, a survey by the Pew Research Center ranks the Philippines No. 10 among countries in the world that are most accepting of homosexuality. Other than Australia, the Philippines is the only country in Asia Pacific that is included in the top 10 list. That, in itself, is a reason for Filipino LGBTs to celebrate this Pride Month.
Rene Astudillo
Rene Astudillo is a writer, book author and blogger and has recently retired from more than two decades of nonprofit community work in the Bay Area. He spends his time between California and the Philippines.
More articles from Rene Astudillo