PRIDE

(Photo from google.com)

PRIDE MARCH--"We don't need your approval to exist, we don't need your permission to subsist."

The same feeling and burst of emotion I have when the Philippine’s King of Talk, Tito Boy Abunda, who is also known as a leading personality in advocating LGBT rights and equality, make annotation with regards to gay-man relationship. That very moment when Tito Boy is uttering his remarks, I can feel the sheer passion and love he has just to enlighten his millions of viewers all throughout the archipelago. Certainly, I felt agitated and flustered to that “CONCERN” father whom I don’t know what he’s point is all about; which I am very CERTAIN that it’s POINTLESS!

On a survey conducted by Pew Research Center, they tagged the Philippines as one of the most “gay-friendly” country in the world. My reaction: REALLY? It’s good to hear such compliment to the LGBT community but in reality, does this make sense among Filipino people? Is this an affirmation from the densely heterosexual population of the Philippines that they are ready to accept the LGBT community? Of course, it is in my fervent hope for an affirmation of a YES!

The fight for the right and equality we aim to enjoy has been a long narrative to tell. Many efforts have been made to uplift the degrading level of our fellow LGBT members in different ways they can be associated such as socio, political, civil and economic engagement. The promotion of equal access to human rights which should be a privileged enjoyed by every human person whether perceived to be a homosexual human being should be given with utmost respect and sensitivity at all time. I am also one of many LGBT members who seek for a zero hate and crime incidence that vehemently denounce gender and sexuality based oppression, prejudice, discrimination and stereotyping at all means and ways. We are not aiming for a UTOPIC society but instead a sustainable and responsive one which can accept and understand our endeavors ALSO.

There are others who can understand and accept us as human beings part of this weary world but MANY are still guileless of our existence. On the top list of people who condemn us whether of our actions and existence is the Catholic Church. Every time that we make efforts with regards to enliven the status of LGBT community, on the front liners to obstruct and preclude is the church. Yes, they are the instrument to connect us from the divinity of God in heaven but they don’t have the DIRECT connection to command and charge us of what is GOOD and EVIL. If it will be a debate of theological perspective then it such an oxymoron and we would look like fools since it can be interpreted as many ways as there are Christian Churches.

To be a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender is not like a disease which should be isolated and quarantine for the benefit of humanity. As a matter of fact, the issue of LGBT MUST be the concern of humanity. It’s not like a cancer which has stages and if somebody goes out of the closet then that person is on TERMINAL stage. IT’S A NO! More than anything else it is the reflection of how SPIRITED and FORMIDABLE that person is. On behalf of the LGBT community, those people who prefer to say the truth to the public with great PRIDE and HONOR should be venerated and lionized for a milestone of great leap to one’s life existence. That very moment DEFINES the life you CHOOSE to be!

I have a lot of known people and friends who choose to be who they are now- lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. At the end of the day, smile is still painted in their faces as normal as any other heterosexual person has. In other words, we are still NORMAL. Actually, we are more than being normal since we are SPECIAL as we share the same common laughter, hilarity and unconditional love only from LGBT people you can experience and feel. We choose to be empowered and unshackled despite many issues thrown to us. Still, with all the adversity, we prefer to stand up with head held up high, right hand on the waist and left hand waving like a beauty queen saying “bye and sorry” for YOU.

Currently, there is a gradual acceptance from our society on the efforts of the LGBT community as we introduce the “Ang Ladlad” as a political affiliation for Filipino LGBT in lobbying and fighting for relevant efforts with regards to the issues we are facing in the Congress. This is a good note that more or less we are being recognized from the national level.

For most of you, I have a simple reminder to share: just SHUT your mouth if you will not say something good. That is simple to do but most of the time we regret to follow. Yes, you are entitled to express and say what you want to tell to the world (as if the world cares to your opinion) but to go beyond your limitation on depriving and making personal attacks and manifestation to the character of a person is a big NO for you mister and misis. You’re just making dramas of your own amusement and our disgust. Besides, I am sure that your teacher in elementary years (if you were sent to school, if not I’m imposing it to your face now :D) teaches you of this basic maxim of life: Judge not, that you shall not be judged.

My dear, spread your wings and prepare to fly like a butterfly with great PRIDE. Soar up even higher to the different layers of the clouds and scattered the love we want to share the world. At the end of the day, draw the rainbow that shows our humble response to the call for action in making stand to the virtue of life and accept with full PRIDE and clean heart the challenges that will come on our way as we speak and make stand.

My hopes are still very high that we can translate the stigma of the past as men wear make-up with red, five inches stiletto; and as women cut their hair to Mohawks with the groove to style using wax.