By Brian Barretto
In celebration of Pride Month, LoveYourself
Inc. launched Usapang ATBPride, an online discussion series highlighting the
different facets of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer,
Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Ally, and more (LGBTQIA+) Community. This week, we delved deeper into issues faced by people who identify as lesbian and gay.
The first episode, entitled BLT: Byaning,
Lesbian, Tomboy, explored the experiences of lesbian women with regards to
their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE), their
experiences of coming out, and the challenges they faced living in oftentimes
discriminatory environments. Hosted by Ging Cristobal, the Project Coordinator
at OutRight Action International and Feminist Activist, the show interviewed
guests Angel Romero, a Partner and Director for Creative and Directing at
Digital Marketer, Irish Inoceto, the Chairperson of Iloilo Pride Network, and
EO Cendeno, the Founder and Manager of Pag-Amuma, a dog and cat care sanctuary.
Ging opened the conversation by asking each
guest about their SOGIE and how they defined themselves. What emerged was a
common identity as lesbian women, but each had individual ways of expressing
their gender through the way they behaved, dressed, and groomed themselves.
Angel was more feminine in appearance, while EO and Irish were drawn to more
masculine ways of expression. This emphasized the variety within the Lesbian
community, beyond the prevalent stereotype in media. Various experiences
were also shared by the guests who came from different age groups spanning from
young to late adulthood, and how this affected their actions in advocacy work.
The second episode, “The Beki
Agenda” focused on the unique lives, coming-out stories, and challenges of
individuals from the gay community. This was hosted by Bryan Galvez, with
guests Macoy Dubs aka Macoy Averilla, Angelo Camaya of Accenture, and Danvic
Rosadino from LoveYourself.
As with the previous episode, Bryan asked
each of the guests how they defined themselves in the context of SOGIE. While
all identified as cisgender gay men, their behavior, interests, and mannerisms
oftentimes skewed towards what society labeled as “feminine”. Macoy would play
with his mom’s makeup as a child, Angelo was drawn to ballet, and Danvic was
drawn to feminine clothing and accessories. It also seemed that the adults
around them were the first to notice and identify their gender nonconformity as
kids, with quite different reactions and responses.
Each of the guests also shared the
challenges they faced as gay men in their different fields and careers. Macoy,
as an online content creator, saw the devaluing of the voices of gay public
figures, Angelo perceived societal pressure on gays to achieve more than
average just to be seen as equal, and Danvic has had to debunk myths about HIV
as an advocate and educator.
Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe to LoveYourselfTV,
and hit the notification bell so you won’t miss more episodes on our
Usapang ATBPride live every Tuesday and Thursday of June!
Fruitful discussions from Usapang ATBPride is supported by Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, Pilipinas Shell Foundtion,
Inc., PhilHealth, Macare, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Cove Manila, Camber - a subsidiary of Hetero, Frontrow Cares, Victoria Court, and Lauvette.
Images by Sergio Pizzaro
