A March for Strength

This year is a good year for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) rights in the United States. The Defense of Marriage Act, which refuses recognition to same-sex marriages, was struck down by the Supreme Court on June 26, 2013, as unconstitutional. After that, several states have allowed same-sex marriages including New Jersey, Hawaii and Illinois, after citizens sue their states for the unconstitutional banning of same-sex unions and/or their leaders support such endeavor. Public figures came out to support gender equality or came out as LGBTQ. Many celebrities such as fine actors Anne Hathaway, George Clooney, Josh Hutcherson, Kate Winslet, Natalie Portman and Brad Pitt as well as high-profile athletes are vocal in their support of LGBTQ. After making numerous progresses in advancing racial equality, gender equality is perhaps the last frontier in the fight for human rights.

In the Philippines, the cause of the LGBTQ rights is an often ignored one, usually dismissed or shoved under the rug, or vehemently opposed, despite the positive result of a survey. In the middle of this year, the Pew Research Center of the United States released a survey of 39 countries on their acceptance of homosexuality. Seventeen showed majorities of acceptance or tolerance of homosexuality, and the Philippines was ranked at number 10. The survey, called “The Global Divide on Homosexuality,” showed that 73 percent of 804 adult Filipinos agreed with the statement that “homosexuality should be accepted by society,” which has increased by nine percentage points from the last survey in 2002.

Large portions of the population still have limited knowledge and awareness of the LGBTQ, and what they know are stereotypes, and as long as the LGBTQs conform to the stereotypes or know “their place,” they are tolerated. Very few prominent people publicly voice their support, if at all. Most public figures who have expressed their opinions on the LGBTQ have negative things to say. Most are silent. LGBTQ expressions are still suppressed or frowned upon. Same-sex marriage is still a taboo topic.

While the Philippines has signed several international agreements that seek to ensure respect for human rights of all persons, it did not sign the United Nations declaration on sexual orientation and gender identity, which condemns violence, harassment, discrimination, exclusion, stigmatization and prejudice based on sexual orientation and gender identity. An anti-discrimination bill still languishes in Congress.

There were flashes of hope in pop culture though. The coming out of international singer Charice Pempengco provided much-needed visibility, and there was a show of support despite the ignorant backlash. This is the most high-profile coming out in local showbiz since Rustom Padilla’s in 2009.

My Husband’s Lover, a sensitive television series about the relationship of a man, his wife and his male lover, became the most watched series recently, bringing to light some issues and perhaps breaking ground in the depiction of LGBTQ lives in a popular medium. “Sirena” by Gloc-9 and Ebe Dancel became a hit and has these lyrics: “‘Di sinusukat ang tapang at ang bigote sa mukha/Dahil kung minsan mas lalaki pa sa lalaki ang bakla,” (Being a man is not measured by bravery and a moustache/ Because sometimes a gay person is more of a man than a man.) Maxie the Musical: Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros, a stage adaptation of an iconic gay movie, is regarded as one of this year’s best theatrical productions.

But the struggle continues. On Dec. 7, Saturday, the country will be holding an LGBTQ pride march from 3 p.m. onwards in Malate, Manila, partly organized by Task Force Pride (TFP) Philippines, a network of LGBTQ groups and individuals, as well as LGBTQ-friendly groups/individuals. The Metro Manila Gay Pride March has been held for 19 years now, making it the oldest in Asia. It is currently annually held in December, while in many countries it is in June, the Pride Month. This is to coincide with related human rights activities such as Human Rights Week, World AIDS Day (December 1), Philippine National Lesbian Day (December 8), and International Human Rights Day (December 10).

“Strength” is this year’s theme, which is said to be drawn from diversity as well as unity. Show your support for human rights and join this colorful march.

Mix and March: Metro Manila Colored by Gay Pride

Drab Poblacion of Makati City, made more somber by a threat of downpour, got a splash of rainbow colors when about 1,500 lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) with their heterosexual friends, families, supporters and allies gathered for the annual Metro Manila Gay Pride March on December 8, 2012. 

The march was preceded by a commitment ceremony for both lgbt and straight couples officiated by the United Universalists of Metro Manila in the morning at the Makati City Hall quadrangle. Couples affirmed their love with the support of families and friends even though legalizing gay marriage remains almost a taboo subject in the Philippines. Simultaneously, a small bazaar was opened, offering interesting products from food to fashion.

With the theme “Sari-Sali: Pride in Action,” the march called on the government to pass the Anti-Discrimination Bill, as well as on local governments to pass anti-discrimination ordinances in their towns and cities, especially Makati City, the country’s business district. In the country, only Quezon City in Metro Manila and Cebu City in the south have anti-discrimination ordinances.

The march also aimed to push for LGBT-friendly school policies from student organizations; obtain the support and affirmation of acceptance from families, friends and allies of LGBTs; and gather support from contingents and individuals for LGBT representation in the government through the Ladlad party-list organization and other LGBT-allied lawmakers and public servants. The contributions of LGBT to the society were also highlighted, but overall, the march promoted participation and inclusivity from all for gender equality.

Numerous and diverse groups participated and showed support including advocacy groups Amnesty International Philippines, Take Back the Tech Philippines and Gabriela National Alliance of Women in the Philippines; and political organizations Bayan Muna and Akbayan. The Philippine Commission on Human Rights was also represented.

Comprising the bulk were LGBT groups, including Boys Station Family Organization, Dangal National Network, Elite Circle of Men, Full Contact International, Galang Philippines, Gay Geeks, Home for the Golden Gays, Just us Kissing, Lesbian Activism Project, Lesbian Alliance Bagbag, Lesbian Alliance Movement: Lakas ng Kababaihan Para sa Karapatan, Men’s Locker Room, Metro Bi Out Society/Boys to Men’s Clan Circle of Bi, One Bacardi Organization Manila, Pink Rockers, Pinoy FTM, Pinoy g4m, Progressive Organization of Gays in the Philippines (Progay Philippines), Proud Campaign Philippines, Proud To Be lgbt Campaign, Queer Archers’ Alliance, Rainbow Rights Project, Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines, Love Yourself, Metro Guyz Society, Transman Pilipinas, University of the Philippines (up) Babaylan, Up Spectrum, up Spectrum Manila and University of the Philippines Los Baños (uplb) Babaylan.

Non-LGBT supporters included the Rotaract Club of Makati Legaspi, Lunduyan ng Sining, Tarlac Bailas Organization, Tiklop Society of the Philippines, Kultura Riders Club and Filipino Freethinkers. The Philippine Atheists and Agnostics Society (PATAS) was a very active supporter. At one side, there were also religious delegations the Unitarian Universalist Church of Manila, Ekklesia Tou Theou (Church of God) and the Philippine Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. The office of the Makati City vice mayor Romulo Pena Jr. also showed support.

This year, the pride march saw increasing participation by the business sector led by Thomson Reuters, which has its admirable Pride at Work policy, promoting safe and equitable work environment for all employees regardless of gender; workplace diversity; and awareness programs. Also notable were the participation of JP Morgan Chase Company, Bayleaf Spa and Accenture.

The march started at the Makati City Hall quadrangle at three in the afternoon, accentuated by balloons, confetti, flowers, extravagant costumes, banners, placards and a giant rainbow flag. LGBT families brought their kids and babies along. Drag queens were in their resplendent gowns and costumes. Some gay men went sexy. Masseurs from Bayleaf Spa served as eye candies. Riders brought their motorbikes. Some offered free hugs. 

“It is time for the LGBT community to move out of its niche and gain mainstream acceptance,” said Jade Tamboon, owner of the Web site PinoyG4M.com, the secretariat organization of this year’s Pride March.

The march went through F. Zobel, J.P. Rizal, Nicanor Garcia, Kalayaan, Pililla, Hormiga, Angono and Morong streets, proceeding without any major hitches. There was just a handful of moralists, surprisingly very young, hardly noticeable except for their judgmental and condemning placards that read “Sexual immorality, the road to AIDS and hell;” “Jesus can change you! LGBT;” “Warning! God will judge the sexually immoral! Hebrews 13:4;” “It’s not OK to be gay! It’s a sin!” and “Ang nilikha ng Diyos ay lalaki at babae, hindi bakla at tomboy, Genesis 1: 27 (God created man and woman, not gay and lesbian).” Fortunately, these were overwhelmed by messages of love, acceptance, support, understanding, peace, action and positivity.

After the parade, there was a program at the quadrangle where leaders delivered their messages. Gabriela promoted its campaign One Billion Rising Against Violence Against Women. There were also performances by Tao Aves, percussion group Brigada, Nyctinasty, the Shocking Details, Lougee and the Cherry Bums, the Cellar Doors and others.

The street market was open into the night with interesting finds such as artisanal ice cream by Sebastian’s with amusing flavor names, “unconventional” dolls from Oliver Makes Dolls, bags with witticism from Hirit Bags, art works and accessories from Blot Art Studio, etc.

The Metro Manila Gay Pride March has been held for 18 years now, making it the oldest in Asia. The first Philippine Gay Pride March was held on June 26, 1994, organized by ProGay Philippines and Metropolitan Community Church, in Quezon City. The next marches were mostly held in Malate, Manila, considered to be the country’s gay district, and in June, like in most of gay parades around the world, in commemoration of the historic Stonewall Riot. Since 1999, when Task Force Pride Philippines (TFP), a network of LGBT and LGBT-friendly groups and individuals, was established, it took on the responsibility of organizing the Metro Manila Gay Pride March. In 2003, the pride march was moved from June to the December to coincide with related human rights activities such as Human Rights Week, World AIDS Day (December 1), Philippine National Lesbian Day (December 8), and International Human Rights Day (December 10).