Written by Pauline Estrada
1960’s. In a local gay bar in New York which was supposed to be a place of refuge for LGBT people instead became a place for violent clashes against the police. All of this is just for homosexuals they label as “disorderly”.
These events is not jus an exhibition of humiliation and abuse to gay people but may have also been a source of hope for gay rights for the next generations.
21st century. Half a century later, you walk down the entrance of an expensive bar somewhere in the Metro with your sparkling clothes and over-the-top makeup. You immediately down a shot of tequila because you needed strength as your confidence slowly faded as you felt pairs of eyes and whispers from people on the dark corners of the bar. Maybe you needed to call your friends just to make sure you are going home in one piece.
Now open your eyes and observe carefully. Realize how much this system contributes to the dead bodies of transgenders who are continuously being discovered on the streets, to the increasing number of gays committing suicide, down to the paralysis of the status quo. It is the same society that favors the concept of being macho, uplifts the patriarchy, and enables the feudal system that oppresses the rights and the voices of the abused, of the exploited, and of the ones who are used as machinery of entertainment—the gay community.
Increasing murder cases in the transgender community
Through the years, the progress of the community towards their call to action to stop the attacks and the killings of transgenders has been stagnant. Madonna Nierra, a trans who was brutally murdered and thrown on the muddy shallows of the riverbanks in Caloocan City in October 2020 after leaving their house two days after her remains were discovered. Jessa Remiendo was found dead in Pangasinan after having a late-night drinking session with her co-workers, her body was repeatedly hacked and some parts were mutilated.
Furthermore one of the most striking issues is the case of Jennifer Laude who was utterly failed by the justice system. Her body was found naked in a comfort room, while her head was leaning on the toilet bowl. She was killed by a US soldier, Joseph Scott Pemberton, as he was so disgusted after learning that Laude was a trans woman.. Nevertheless, the US puppet Duterte regime freed her murderer after granting Pemberton an absolute pardon and was set to be deported immediately.
Recently, there had been a rape-slay case involving the trans man named Ebeng Mayor. His remains were found three days after he went missing, wherein his skull was crushed, and a wooden stick was impaled on his genitals signifying a crime of passion and hate crime as well. A case that happened on the same week of International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). The suspects were all identified as someone close to him, all robbed him of his belongings as well as his dignity.
These cases showcase the rampant disregard of the administration to provide justice to these beautiful people who were only a victim of a system that glorifies the status quo which mainly consists of macho system and fake recognition of empowerment, and by that leaving behind those who are unique and behind the rainbow-colored flag.As well as a signifier that being aware to these kinds of crimes proliferating in our society is not enough. Progressive movement of the community together with the mass, and a responsive government will be the best combination that can destroy a system of discrimination towards the members of the LBGTQ+ community.
Discrimination and stereotyping
“Nasan Mio mo?”
“Sayang ka pogi ka pa naman”
“Kababae mong tao ganiyan ka nakaupo”
These are a few of the derogatory remarks that are usually uttered by the traditionalist and conservative Filipinos. They are typically the uncle or the grandfather in the family who are scared to have a relative that does not suit their macho mindset—the ones who fear effeminate and changing norms in society.
But we cannot blame these uncles and aunties, these grandmas and grandpas, because they are as much of a victim like the LGBTQ+ community of a system that enables these mindsets to grow and foster to the principles of the Filipinos—that men must provide, women must abide and if they cannot, then they don’t fit the standards of the ‘normal’ society and will be labeled as unconventional or radical.
The university that most of the students who are clamoring out of the pit of poverty aim to enter–PUP, is the same university that will drag them down further to deep hell of oppression and exploitation. The anti-student administration of the PUP SHS fails to realize that forcing the students to wear their designated uniform based on their sexes and totally disregarding their freedom to express their gender leads to humiliation and degradation. As well as the rampant disrespect of different colleges to the community of LGBTQ+ because of their policy of prohibiting male students to wear clothes in accordance to their likings and gender–even leading to most homophobic professors calling them out with hint of insults.
The problematic issue of society and politics itself projects to the people, then to the children, then to the next generation. Not until there would be reforms and changes that will destroy the conventional thinking and the homophobic mindset, then there would never be a recognition of how much the community can contribute to the progress of a country. They will forever be seen as entertainers, hairdressers, and partners of single mothers and never a member of the society who was intellectualized by their struggles and experiences.
Fake front of the administration as a ‘gay-friendly’ country
As an Asian country who up until now does not initiate provisions of legal protection to the community, refuses to talk about same-sex marriage, and until there are senators who are using bible quotes as their Instagram caption implying that gay people must be put to death, like Manny Pacquiao–then the Philippines will never be a gay-friendly country.
The increasing rate of 16% of young gays contemplating suicide at the ages of 15-24 compared to 8% of heterosexuals is alarming. Factors that contribute to these statistics are the constant bullying and humiliation they face in every single day of their lives, in work, or even in schools. This is a manifestation of the infested mindset of the macho-feudal system overpowering the minds and the political system in the Philippines.
Despite the front of most media influencers who are openly gay, it does not lessen the fact that there are still no solid ground and a loud voice that represents the oppression that the community is experiencing especially in the field of politics—where they can actually make an impact and changes that will benefit them.
The lack of job opportunities that the community is experiencing in the world of professionals, projects the concept of how unaccepting this society has been to the people who are not different but just being themselves.
Due to the continuous assault and discrimination that most of the allies in the communities are experiencing, particularly the encounter of Gretchen Diez, a trans woman who was denied to use her preferred restroom in Cubao, there had been a strong will to fight for a concrete law that will defend them to these injustices The Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) bill encompasses the aim of the LGBTQ+ activists to set legal protection against discrimination including their very own community. Due to the system that keeps failing to protect the gays, the trans, and the whole community, this bill may help to establish their grounds in the field of politics, and to amplify their voice against injustices. This current administration that is full of seated macho men, especially President Duterte who is proud to empower patriarchy through his actions and remarks, has refused to certify the SOGIE bill as urgent. This proves that the underlying proliferation of homophobia can always be projected on how the leaders, the empowered ones, the elitist, and the seated officials are deciding on what must be the ideologies and perspectives that their fellow Filipinos can normalize and adapt.
Madonna, Jenniffer, and Jessa are not just names, they are the ones who suffered, died, and were abused by the system that doesn’t even bat an eye to the issues and problems that do not concern them. The diplomas and the certificates of the gays are not just papers, but those are evidence of their abilities and how far they can go if only society will let them. Young gays who are crying inside their closets are not just gays, they are the victims of the inherent macho-feudal system that has been ingrained in the minds of the Filipinos for hundreds of years. Manifested on you, then on your child, on your grandchild–if you will never have the guts to take a stand.
This month of June is Pride Month. A month that must be celebrated with colors, smiles, and happiness because of the freedom of the LGBTQ+ community to be finally recognized by the people. But it does not stop there, this is a life-long fight against the oppressive system that blinds the eyes of the people and a fight towards justice. Freedom and liberation of the community rely on meddling with the LGBTQ+ community and realizing the cause of their upbringing, to finally open the eyes and loosen the tight lips of the masses.
This is not the end of the revolution. This is a battle cry of every single ally of the community to fight against the system of hate and finally produce a society of peace and equality. Afterall, the PRIDE protest is not just solely centered to the liberation of the community itself but also to the freedom of the masses.
The Catalyst 