Suspension of Disbelief

The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO), celebrated every May 17, was founded in 2004 by Louis-Georges Tin as an effort to coordinate international events to call for respect for lesbians and gays worldwide.

May 17 was chosen as the date of the event because homosexuality was removed from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 17, 1990. By 2006, IDAHO – and its call not just for decriminalization of homosexuality but also the uplifting of the status of gays and lesbians all over the world – has gained wide support, including several Nobel Prize winners (Desmond Tutu, Amartya Sen, Elfriede Jelinek, Dario Fo, José Saramago), artists (Merryl Streep, Cindy Lauper, Elton John, David Bowie), intellectuals (Noam Chomsky, Judith Butler, Bernard-Henri Lévy), non-government organizations (ILGA, FIDH), politicians, and many others. Globally, thousands of people from various communities (LGBT, as well as our allies) organize LGBT-related events from as far as Congo, China and Bulgaria.

In the Philippines, as part of IDAHO, localized campaigns were made by Outrage Magazine, among others, since 2009. For IDAHO 2012, the Bahaghari Center for Research, Education and Advocacy (Bahaghari) held a project, “I dare to care about equality”, a photographic campaign calling for everyone to take a more proactive stance in fighting discrimination. We celebrate those who believe in equality.

http://www.outragemag.com/
http://www.facebook.com/Bahaghari.Center
http://www.facebook.com/OutrageMag
http://www.dayagainsthomophobia.org/Philippine-LGBT-group-to-mark,1307

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VERA Files and Yahoo Philippines | 31 March 2012

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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons with disabilities (LGBT PWDs) experience double discrimination in their daily life.

Because of the many challenges they face, they have come to be known as the “marginalized within the marginalized” sector of society.

“We are considered abnormal by people…They mock us when we try to communicate,” according to a deaf gay participant at the recent “Deaf Talks: A Forum for Deaf LGBT’s on Human Rights and HIV.”

The forum was organized by Rainbow Rights Philippines, Outrage Magazine and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) for the benefit of Rainbow Deaf Philippines, a Filipino LGBT organization for persons with hearing and speech impairment.

Founder and president of Deaf Rainbow Philippines Bibo Lee Perey shared the experiences and challenges PWDs face everyday in the community, particularly  when they look for work, go malling or simply in search of a partner in life.

“When we look for work, it’s our disability they will focus on,” he shared. “Or in social networking sites, they would mock us because we have wrong grammar.”

With the help of a sign language interpreter, members of Rainbow Deaf Philippines communicated their concerns and questions to CHR officials who were part of the forum.

CHR Executive Director Jake Meija assured forum participants that the government is doing everything to help alleviate their sad plight, such as advocating a legislation for LGBT PWDs.

“Give us a recommendation on what laws should be passed that will benefit and improve your situation, what you want to add, and what you want to be amended and we will help you push it,” CHR Director for Assistance and Visitorial Office Renante Basas urged the forum delegates.

There are several pending bills in the Senate that focus on the needs of the PWDs, such as the following:

• SBN 617, entitled “An act providing for a special polling place for the disabled and elderly,” introduced by Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada.
  

• SBN 2999, entitled “An act ensuring the accessibility of the electoral processes to persons with disabilities (PWDs) and Senior Citizens with disabilities (SCWDs),” introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
  

• SBN 3145, entitled “An act expanding the positions reserved for persons with disability, amending for the purpose Republic Act No. 7277, as amended, otherwise known as the magna carta for persons with disability,” introduced by Sen. Antonio Trillanes.

• SBN 2855, entitled “An act providing additional relief to families with dependents, supporting aging parents and disabled persons,” introduced by Senators Trillanes, Ralph Recto, Manny Villar and Manuel “Lito” Lapid.

The CHR is also calling for a convention with LGBT PWDs and other LGBT organizations like Rainbow Rights Philippines and Outrage Magazine to discuss and address the problems they are facing.

“The government should give more attention to PWDs,”  Meija added. “You have to keep in mind that you are not a charity case. Filipinos, regardless of their gender and their disabilities, should enjoy and have the same equal rights as everyone else.”

He said the government should ensure that  the rights of PWDs are respected and that they are consulted in decision-making processes that concern them.

“Being an LGBT PWD is not a disability,” Mejia said. “You need to remember that you have the same rights as everyone else. You need to remember that everyday you need to defend your rights.”

Some 30 deaf participants nodded, raised and shook their hands (their sign for clapping), as they read the sign interpretation of what Meija said.

According to a research conducted by the CHR, there are eight million PWDs in the Philippines who suffer from  “relative invisibility” and tended to be viewed as “objects” of protection, treatment and assistance rather than subjects of rights.

Simply put, PWDs in the country experience being denied equal access to basic rights and fundamental freedoms and are being refused participation in the community, based on reports reaching the CHR.

“We should work with them as equal partners in developing society and not treat them as helpless recipients of assistance from others,” according to Germaine Trittle Leonin, founding president of Rainbow Rights.

Michael David dela Cruz and John Ryan Mendoza of Outrage Magazine, the only LGBT magazine in the Philippines, gave a lecture on HIV/AIDS.

“Our activities aim to provide some safe space for LGBT disadvantaged sectors,” Oscar Atadero, program manager of Rainbow Rights, said. “We partner with different organizations like CHR to address the concerns of neglected LGBT sectors, the marginalized within the marginalized.”

(VERA Files is put out by veteran journalists taking a deeper look at current issues. Vera is Latin for “true.”)

***

‘I dare to care about equality’ campaign launched, partners and participants sought.

Stressing how the promotion of equality is everyone’s issue, Bahaghari Center for LGBT Research, Education and Advocacy (Bahaghari Center) has launched the “I dare to care about equality” campaign, forming part of the localized efforts aligned with the annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) celebrations.

Celebrated every May 17 since 2004, when it was founded by Louis-Georges Tin, IDAHO is an effort to coordinate international events to call for respect for lesbians and gays worldwide. May 17 was chosen as the date of the event because homosexuality was removed from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 17, 1990.

By 2006, IDAHO – and its call not just for decriminalization of homosexuality but also the uplifting of the status of gays and lesbians all over the world – has gained wide support, including several Nobel Prize winners (Desmond Tutu, Amartya Sen, Elfriede Jelinek, Dario Fo, José Saramago), artists (Merryl Streep, Cindy Lauper, Elton John, David Bowie), intellectuals (Noam Chomsky, Judith Butler, Bernard-Henri Lévy), non-government organizations (ILGA, FIDH), politicians, and many others. Globally, thousands of people from various communities (LGBT, as well as our allies) organize LGBT-related events from as far as Congo, China and Bulgaria.

In the Philippines, as part of IDAHO, localized campaigns were made by Outrage Magazine, among others, since 2009. The Webzine is also a partner of this year’s campaign.

For IDAHO 2012, the Bahaghari Center’s “I dare to care about equality” is a photographic campaign calling for everyone to take a more proactive stance in fighting discrimination. Photoshoots will be held for people who believe in advocating equal rights for all, with the outputs of the campaign to be released come May 17 online, as postcards/fliers, and as online ads.

“That we need to think globally, but should act locally has long become a cliché,” says Patrick King Pascual, coordinator for the campaign. “”It remains just as valid, all the same. With ‘I dare to care about equality’, therefore, we aim to provide a channel for people to express their support for the continuous push for equality for all, just as we also provide a channel for people to know who are pro-equality.”

The photoshoots will be helmed by photographer Jed Yumang who will be behind the camera, with make-up and styling provided by artists Kaye Candaza and Nicole Magay.

For those interested to participate, email Patrick.King.Pascual@outragemag.com. For those unable to join the photoshoots, participation is still encouraged through the submission of photographs following the campaign’s format for these to be included in ‘I dare to care about equality’.

“Moves like this are important in highlighting that there are steps we can take to help increase the awareness on the quest for equality of LGBTs,” Pascual says. “It is up to us to keep on pushing until that day when anybody’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity are no longer issues.”

For more information, or for expression of interest to be part of the campaign, call +639287854244 (Michael David), +639274171518 (Patrick King) or +639263167735 (John Ryan); or email bahaghari.center@gmail.com or info@outragemag.com | Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Bahaghari.Center or http://www.facebook.com/OutrageMag.

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Outrage Magazine‘s statement on Zombadings 1: Patayin Sa Shokot si Remington premiere in CINEMALAYA 2011.

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Zombadings as a study of why, and how to promote gay killings

When gay men (or gay “friendly” people) discriminate – and promote their discrimination – of gay men

An open letter to the people behind Zombadings 1: Patayin Sa Shokot si Remington

By Michael David C. Tan
Outrage Magazine

When Auraeus Solito gave life to Michiko Yamamoto’s Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros, it was well lauded for its affectionate portrayal of a young gay guy named Maxi (played by Nathan Lopez), who may have been ridiculed by society at large, but is accepted by his father and two brothers.  With shots said to bring back to the mind Carol Reed’s 1949 noir film The Third Man, and even the grit of Lino Brocka’s obras, Maximo was able to come up with a character who – while it can be argued, was still playing at stereotyped ways of seeing gay men – was, in the end, empowered.

Raymond Lee was credited for helping bring Maximo to life.

Seven years later, when you’d think the world would be a somewhat better place particularly for gay men (and LGBTs, as a whole), then a film like Zombadings 1: Patayin Sa Shokot si Remington comes along.

This time directed by Jade Castro, the screenplay was done by Raymond Lee (Anak, Tanging Yaman, Milan), Jade Castro, and, again, Michiko Yamamoto.  This was again produced by Raymond Lee.

The premise of the film is simple enough: a young heterosexual boy, Remington (Martin Escudero), who likes ridiculing gay men was cursed to become gay when he grows older. Fifteen years on, that comes true – just in time when gay killings were happening, so that the rush to find a “cure” becomes necessary (also because Remington fell in love with the daughter of a deceased man he used to also ridicule for being gay).  For supposed spice, add the stories of: the gay man who cursed Remington; Remington’s best friend, who became his other crush when he started liking men; the closeted homophobic godfather; and, as the title of the movie suggests, gay zombies back not to avenge their deaths, but simply be pestilent.

In a line, the film provides mainly heterosexual people a chance to make fun of – or even ridicule – gay men.

Here is a point-to-point discussion of what makes this film abhorrent.

* Being gay is not a sumpa.  The entire movie was actually based on the premise of Remington being cursed to become gay for ridiculing gay people, so that it highlighted what is believed to be the worst thing that can happen to any person: to turn gay. In doing this, the film – even if arguably not intentionally – promoted that homosexuality can be “cured”.  The American Psychiatric Association states that any efforts at “curing” homosexuality is premised on the assumption that “homosexuality per se is a mental disorder or based upon the a priori assumption that a patient should change his/her sexual homosexual orientation”.  The American Psychiatric Association, with the American Psychological Association, of course, does not consider homosexuality as a mental disease – what this film debunked in over an hour through its contention that, if one really wants, one can find ways to be un-gayed. Remington, with his would-be girlfriend and desired best friend, even went to a witch doctor to seek help – a scene that everyone involved in the film would not have found funny if they knew (or even just read from the Web) of gay men in Africa, among other countries, where literal dragging of LGBTs happen to bring them to witch doctors who are expected to drive away the “evil spirit of homosexuality” believed to possess them. That this film believes homosexuality is curable is ignorant.  And, as the cliché goes, ignorance is never an excuse.

* This film focuses on the supposed predatory nature of gays – e.g. Remington unable to work with men when they started taking their shirts off because all he wanted was to idolize their male bodies; and Roderick Paulate’s character groping young Remington.  By highlighting this, the filmmakers chose to ignore the fact that nearly two-thirds of convicted sex offenders (and of children at that) are heterosexual-identifying (go check the US Department of Justice’s records).  Note how even the sex maniac character of Bayani Agbayani was saved, so that while bad acts from heterosexual men are just accepted, gay men’s acts (even if proven to be non-existent) are well noted.By highlighting this, the filmmakers chose to ignore the fact that nearly two-thirds of convicted sex offenders (and of children at that) are heterosexual-identifying (go check the US Department of Justice’s records).Gregory M. Herek, Ph.D. earlier noted that “members of disliked minority groups are often stereotyped as representing a danger to the majority’s most vulnerable members. For example, Jews in the Middle Ages were accused of murdering Christian babies in ritual sacrifices. Black men in the US were often lynched after being falsely accused of raping White women.”  Similarly, gay men are portrayed as sexually predatory in nature. This is the very portrayal that Zombadings had of gay men – that we cannot be trusted (particularly when around men), since we always have intent to have sex with them.

* Stereotypes promote hatred – e.g. pilantik of fingers, catfights between gay people because they are too weak to fight, transitioning into transsexualism as soon as gender-identification happens. In their attempt to simplify their storytelling, the filmmakers lumped all gay men as all “wanting to be women”, yet again an ignorant assumption that promotes the heterosexist belief in the existence only of dualistic tendencies (i.e. male and female/man and woman).  Your characters did not have to dress like women or put on make-up like women or sashayed while walking like women – acts deemed that only women should be doing – just so they can be identified as gays.  Knowing your errors of assumption is as simple as Googling to know how the likes of boxer Marc Leduc, rugby player Ian Roberts, footballer Olivier Rouyer, and wrestler Orlando Jordan highlight how diversified gay men can be, and actually are.  In the Philippines, just read Michael L. Tan and J. Neil Garcia to best understand gender notions. It is actually the existence of the stereotypes that is why gays are being targeted in hate crimes, e.g. we straddle the dualistic gender divide, so we don’t deserve to exist; and since we’re too weak to fight back, anyway, it becomes easy to prey on us.  Heck, even Imee Marcos wanted for gays to be trained in combat to protect themselves!  We are stereotyped by the heterosexual community, as it is, we don’t need gay people (or supposed gay “friendly” people) to further the heterosexist narratives.

* Homophobia may be because of homosexuality itself, this is true – a theme not only scientifically considered (for example, American Psychological Association), but repeatedly used as storylines by such popular shows Glee and MTV’s The Hard Times of RJ Berger, among others. What is reprehensible in Zombadings’ case is the filmmakers’ belief that there is no salvation for those who are self-hating, and they deserve nothing less than death. In a way, the filmmakers showed their own internal homophobia – kill the pa-mhin who kill the pa-ghirl.  There is a neglect in understanding why the phobia exists to start with, sans the closer scrutiny of heterosocial expectations.  Without this, the film simply kept homosexuality and the continuing hate of it as only “our” issue that the heterosexuals do not have anything to do with, even if, largely, our existence is premised on their dictates.

* LGBT advocates do not exist because we want to be tolerated – we actually already are.  We exist to push for acceptance.  This is a lesson Zombadings missed – e.g. Remington’s father saying that gays are also okay at times; and a drunkard saying gays are okay because, the uncle who sent him to school being one, they can be useful too. When gay people and gay “friendly” people involved in sending out “lessons” that films like Zombadings actually believe we only deserve to be tolerated, there is a need to re-learn lessons of self-acceptance.  LGBTs deserve no less than the treatment heterosexuals get – LGBTs, themselves, should realize this; and when the same is not given, should demand for it. Acceptance, not tolerance, is the goal.

People may like Zombadings, claiming the movie is funny. But laughing at other people’s misfortunes is in no way funny.  In case you haven’t read in the news, or maybe even heard through second-, third- or fourth sources of information, gay men actually get killed simply because they are gay (or in some cases, even heterosexual men because they “look” gay).  You are not laughing with us but at us when you mock, or even ridicule us – even sadder when those who do so are actually also gays, or consider themselves as gay “friendly”.

This film – through its title – preempts the possibility of a sequel, meaning we have to brace ourselves for more hatred to be spewed by gays and/or the gay ‘friendly” to gay people.

When both Herbert Bautista’s Jill and Sharon Cuneta’s Jack turned straight after “realizing” hetero-identifying is what they “really are”, it was actually not forgivable, as it stressed how we can just change who we are. But Jack & Jill was a product of its time, when ridicule of LGBTs was what was more accepted due to lack of education and awareness of LGBT rights even by LGBTs themselves.  These are supposed to be better times, arguably supposedly represented by the likes of Maximo seven years ago.

Zombadings proved Maximo to be a fluke, and it just showed the times are still as bad, or even worse.

If this is the kind of film you will be producing after Maximo, please stop making films already.  You shame your lessons of acceptance by promoting ridicule, and even hatred this time around.

Pinoy pop culture plays a part in the difficulties that gay men (and the entire LGBT community) continue to face. “Multong bakla” and “‘Di ako bakla” became, for Filipinos, ways to put down gay men through disassociation with them – both phrases actually derived from pop songs that did exactly this: put down gay men.

With Zombadings’ expected wide release this August, “zombadings” may actually start being used to – yet again – derogatorily refer to gay men.

And for this, Zombadings’ filmmakers should be ashamed.

Repost from Michael David of Outrage Magazine:

Noted was the existence of a blogsite putting the names and photographs of men who the blogger claims are HIV+. This is illegal under RA 8504, but to make the site legitimate-looking, a logo of PNAC was actually added, making it look like the information was provided by them. Question is, who should be informed of this (aside from the blog’s host, who was already informed) for proper actions to be taken, and for similar occurrences to be monitored and prevented from happening again? Please provide specifics (names, emails, numbers, et cetera) since something has to be done about this immediately.

Published in Outrage Magazine Issue 20

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They call it “The Mansion.”

It’s where you can meet different people;
A guy who could make you laugh but has the smallest dick in the room.
A straight acting gay who performs Sarah Brightman’s ‘La Luna’ flawlessly.
Someone who thinks he’s the best Lady Gaga impersonator.
A guy who likes you a lot but after blowing you, he’ll disappear.
Someone who will invite you in the dark room and later leave you for a bigger dick.
Someone who will ask you to bend over.
A mouth that can make you come more than once or twice.
And at times, someone who can be your friend.

***

Nakarating ka na ba sa isang lugar kung saan ang mga pinapantasya mo ay maaring magkatotoo?

(Have you ever been in a place where most of your fantasies can become reality?)

***

It was December of 2007, my first visit to “The Mansion”. I was with Anton, a very good friend, my partner in crime when exploring different places and/or “trips”.

I read about the place somewhere online. They reviewed it as an oldie but goodie with lots of surprises. I got curious. I downloaded the location map and messaged Anton.

We started our hunt one Tuesday evening. It was very difficult to find the place especially if you’re not familiar with the area. It took us 200 pesos, two hours, half pack of Marlboro Lights, until we finally found where Lion’s Road is.

Standing in front of us was a big red gate, housed by old bricks and wood. The aura was eerie and everything in front of us took us back to Japanese time.

Anton rang the bell. We waited.

As I lit my 12th Marlboro Lights, the big red gate opened. A middle-aged gay guy greeted us and led us in.

We were asked to sit on bench outside the main door. Anton borrowed my lighter and lit his 13th Marlboro. The guy left and went inside to call the manager.

Anton and I were whispering to each other while laughing, and quietly discussed if we’ll still go inside because we both felt scared.

“Good Morning Sir, what can I do for you?” We heard a voice coming from the door asking.

“We heard about this place and we want to be a member,” Anton answered.

He asked several questions; where did we found out about the place, do we know anyone who is already a member, and stuff. It’s not like one of those walk-in kinds of places.

After several minutes, we’re finally allowed to go inside and we became a member.

The ground floor was dark, only two lamp shades; one on the receiving area and the other on the stage area were lit. It would take time before your eyesight adjusts.

When you get inside, the stage are will greet you; they use it during big nights or whenever there’s an event, and during weeknights clients usually stay in the videoke area, it’s beside the stairs that leads to the second level and to the mini pool.

The structure of the videoke room and the stairs reminds me of the porn movie “A Body to Die For”, old and rustic. It’s like fulfilling your fantasy of having sex in an old house.

The second floor keeps the lockers and the first activity area.

From the thin cloth division of the activity room and the locker area, you can hear countless moans coming from the inside. Like a curious kid in Toy Kingdom, we went inside and explored it thoroughly.

I felt a hand touched my behind; I felt another grabbed my front. We continued walking and didn’t mind their touching.

I puffed my Marlboro Lights to give the place little illumination.

I saw three guys playing with each other on one bed, the one on top of the other, while the other is kneeling in front of the two.

I liked what I saw.

I moved to the other direction and puffed my Marlboro again. I saw two guys in a 69-position on the other bed, while the others sat around, watching, trying to join the action.    

After a quick ocular, we went out of the activity area, went down the stairs, and walked towards the pool area. We went straight to the pool bar and ordered beer and lit another Marlboro.

The bartender engaged us in a small conversation. He asked us if it was our first time in the place. Anton and I nodded.

He told us that on different days they offer different promos and themes, like; every Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays is their towel night, Tuesdays is their topless night, Thursdays is their brief night (your underwear and a hand towel), Saturdays is their event night, also a towel night, and Sundays is skin night (nothing on, just a hand towel).

After a few minutes, we left the pool bar and continued exploring the place. We walked on the side of the main house to get to the back house.

As we slowly reached the dark entrance of the back house, the silhouette of the people who were standing inside caught our attention. The number of people is double compared to the ones in the first activity area. They were standing side by side with each other, waiting for someone who will engage something with them, touching each other’s bulge, kissing each other while touching someone from their behind.

It felt like we were in Sodom and Gomorrah. It would be unethical to define it as Halfway to Heaven, but it felt like it. Like all the lust in the chatroom, dark rooms of Red Banana and Bath (when they were still open), the double-movie cinema experience in Quiapo and Libertad (the years when they were still operating) were all here, jammed in this dark, spine-chilling, fantasy like place. Anton and I called it, “the dungeon”.   

No matter how hard we puffed our Marlboro’s, the darkness of the place fought the ample light of our cigarettes.

We entered the dungeon, with our hands touching the walls and our feet sliding to the unfamiliar floor – for direction inside the spacious dark place.

Anton held my hand. We walked towards the middle. We heard moans. Felt several touches from our front and our behind.

We bumped to a group of people who were engaging in an orgy-like. I pulled Anton to have a closer look to what they were doing. I puffed my Marlboro and saw the outline silhouette of five guys standing in circle and one guy was kneeling in the middle blowing their dicks one after the other.

I felt someone touched my bulge and squeezed it like he was pulling me towards him. I got distracted. I spread my arms trying to touch and find him but I couldn’t, it was too dark, all I could grasp that was in my reach was Anton.

We went outside and went to the second floor of the dungeon, the video room. Anton led the way as I lit my last Marlboro.

The television was playing a familiar porn movie.

There were 3 people in the room. When we reached the end of the stairs and walked behind the bench in front the television, their attention focused to us, they’re like waiting for a go signal from us.

There’s also an activity room in the second floor, the third and last. It’s on the other side, separated by the brick wall and the wooden wall with glory holes. I think it was strategically placed in the video area, so while watching Jeff Palmer perform his bareback scenes, you can put your dick in one of the holes and wait for someone to suck it, or vice-versa.

Anton and I decided to cruise separately, to cruise on our own, and meet each other after two hours in the pool bar.

He stayed in the video room. I went back to the dungeon.

I heard the familiar moans again; I once again felt the heat coming from the bodies having a release with each other.

I wanted to light a cigarette but I remembered I finished everything I brought. And just on my way out of the dungeon to go to the bar and buy another pack of Marlboros, I felt someone grabbed my arm; it was the familiar arm grab I felt earlier.

I don’t know if I was hallucinating, because of the lack of Marlboro smoke in my body or he was the same guy who tried to pull me earlier. My other arm grabbed his hand, and I pulled him closer to me. I wanted to kiss him. There’s something in him that draws me closer to his lips even though I haven’t seen his face yet.

He pulled me outside the dungeon for a better view of each other.

He was tall. He has a nice set of arms. His body was like of a swimmer, with a not-so flat tummy. He was wearing a baseball cap. He smiled and whispered to my ear, “Let’s go to the locker area activity room.” I nodded and followed him.

When we got inside the activity room, there were only few people; the bed near the entrance was empty. He crawled on the bed and I followed him. I turned his cap around and started kissing him.

I unbuckled his belt, and unbuttoned his cargo shorts. I pulled down his brief, and started playing with his already hard and throbbing cock.

He unbuttoned my jeans and pulled it with my underwear down to my knees. We played with each other while kissing. I turned around. We were in 69-position.

Someone tried to join us, tried to reach for my dick but he grabbed the hand and pushed it away. He continued to give me head, I deep-throated him…

***

This is one of the countless stories I had in The Mansion.

***

It was December of 2003 when The Mansion opened and catered to every gay’s fantasy and entertainment. A towel bar that changed the meaning of “bathhouse” to an unconventional way – a fantasy-driven place.

***

The Mansion and the experiences I had inside were all euphoric. It’s addicting, there came a time that every night, after work, I’ll meet Anton somewhere in EDSA and go there.

There’s fantasy-fulfilment when you’re inside The Mansion, like an ego satisfaction. When you’re having sex with someone, and people gather around you and jerk off while watching you get off, the feeling is amazing, it’s cathartic…

June 19, 2011

Taken by Erick Castro

…

(First Published in Outrage Magazine Issue 19)

We are told to remember the idea not the man, because man can fail, but an idea persists even after death.

The idea to continue fighting until equal rights is something not to be fought for. The idea to educate people about the truth and what’s been happening in the LGBT community. 

It is the same idea that gave hope to the LGBT community last election to be represented and be heard in the Congress. It is the same idea that lost but not forgotten. It is the same idea that translates to democracy.
 
May 10, 2010. The country voted the Bicolanos, the security guards, the tricycle drivers as party list representatives, they were among the top choices of voters; but a gay party list that stands on the platform of equal rights, retirement homes for the aged and the chance for anyone to enrol for a loan to start a small business – was deliberately not prioritized by voters.

When in fact, the members of which; are the gays in the salons they rely on to get their regular grooming every weekend, the lesbians who you come across every time you ride the MRT; who works so hard to experience a normal life, and the straight acting gays who monopolizes the Call Center industry in the country; who dreams that one day, they can come out to their families and be accepted for what they really are.. Disregarded and forgotten.

When being different became immoral the country turned yellow.   

Everyone was smiling. Everyone was hopeful. It was 1986 when the first Aquino made a promise to an idea – to have an honest government who will answer to every citizen’s cry and a democratic country every Filipino can be proud of – she died fighting for it. 24 years since, the idea still exists.

***

What makes a President?

Will the Aquino euphoria keep Noynoy’s image as the “Messiah” for 6 years?

Or will the people, eventually, wake up from their illusions and see reality?

Will the promises he made during his speeches save us from hate and inequality?

Words will always retain their power. Words offer the means to meaning.

But will his actions offer the same meaning as his words?

***  

Nicole is a 26-year-old transgender. She didn’t finish college and it was not her choice, her family didn’t have enough money for her to continue.

At 24, she grew tired of waiting for her family to send her back to college. She strived on her own. She borrowed money from her friends and applied to different offices, but she was either turned away or ignored.

A friend of her gave a contact to the call center agency he was employed to and asked Nicole to apply.

She passed the exam and the interviews, she trained for three months. She got good reviews from her Team Leader, and his colleagues admired her patience when attending to calls. Her evaluations were satisfactory.

And just before the fourth month entered; one Monday morning, Nicole got a message from the Account Supervisor; to meet him at exactly 1PM in his office.

Nicole wore her best dress, fixed her long shiny hair, painted her lips with red and tops it with gloss. She entered their building perky, smiling at everyone. She taught this is the day that her Supervisor will ask her to become regular.

She walked slowly in the hallway leading towards the office. She went in.

After 30 minutes, she went out. Her head held down. Her smile faded. She rushed out of the building and waited for a cab.

Nicole was requested not come to work the next day or ever. According to the Account Supervisor, their company have a good reputation and was afraid to gamble it by hiring a “Ladyboy”, and even though she was qualified for the job, the company’s reputation is far important than her.

Months after, Nicole got a job in a television show as an Assistant of the Executive Producer.

Until now, Nicole still feels insulted.

When the country turned yellow, Nicole was unsure; will she be afraid or be hopeful that the discrimination will stop?

There’s something terribly wrong in this country.

***

Mr. Aquino, Nicole is the most hardworking person in her family; she didn’t deserve what happened to her. She only wants to have an honest and decent job to buy food for her family and medicine for her dad.

The previous government never showed any concern for the LGBT group; no matter how many rallies made to scream and protest that the LGBT group is not immoral, and that we are just as normal as you – nothing has been done.

Mr. Aquino, Winton Lou Ynion is a Palanca winning writer, he was murdered, he was found with nylon cords around his neck and hands. He didn’t deserved what happened to him. He could have written the best novel piece of this generation and be kept in the library next to Shakespeare.

No one showed compassion to Father Robert Tanghal, Melchor Vergel de Dios, Enrique Esguer and many others, when they were strangled and left to die. Their cases were unsolved; the suspects were still at large. The government called it as petty crimes. 

Mr. Aquino, the LGBT killings will not stop, the hate will not stop, until the government finally imposes something. 

They only have different perspectives that they openly express, and perspectives are to be listened to and not to be killed. 

Mr. Aquino, have you met Humphrey Gorriceta? He’s HIV positive. He came out in the open to educate the LGBT community about the danger of the disease. He speaks in different forums and events to let everyone know, that being an HIV positive is something one shouldn’t be ashamed of, but something to deal with. We salute him.

Wanggo Gallaga, son of critically-acclaimed filmmaker Peque Gallaga, came out in the open as HIV positive; so people will hear his story and be educated, to remind everyone that being HIV positive doesn’t mean it’s the end of their lives. We salute him.

Mr. President, do you have plans for the growing number of HIV cases in the country? Will the HIV patients in San Lazaro Hospital be attended to properly and received proper medical supplies? Have you finally decided what your stand in the RH Bill?

This is an appeal to the government to make everything right.

***

A man as smart as you, Mr. Aquino, has already made a plan. A man as smart as your, Mr. Aquino has already made a decision. We just hope the LGBT community is part of it.

This country needs more than a “Promised President”. This country needs more than hope not promises, but results.

At the end of the day, no one is to blame. It was never really the fault of the previous government fully. If you’re looking whose fault it is, who’s guilty why things didn’t go the way it should be, no need to look anywhere, just look in the mirror. And when the people start to realize it, that’s when the government should come in, to be the backbone of every citizen who stood up.

An idea is an inch of everything. It is small and fragile; we should never let them take that away from us. It is the only thing in the world worth having. It is the only thing in the world that we should never be allowed to be taken away from us. Ideas are bullet-proof.

Drags will continue to sing. Impersonators will continue to perform. Advocates will continue to write. Activists will continue to rally. Until, “equal rights” is for everyone to enjoy.

When the country turned yellow, the LGBT community was (once again) awakened.

There’s no certainty, only opportunity.

Pass it on.