MORE and more people are advocating for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community now more than ever. Members and non-members alike support causes and movements that promote awareness, acceptance and equality for this sector of society.
A good portion of credit would have to go to influencers who have staunchly advocated for a safer and more accepting space for the community.
Here are some of the influential people who have successfully made a difference in pushing for an equal space for all genders.
- Vice Ganda
Vice ganda is a person who needs no introduction. He makes fun of himself but never pulls his punches when he is insulted for being gay or when he hears people making fun of or insulting gays.
He has time and again clashed with personalities because of his strong stance against the bullying of the LGBTQIA+ community. But he, too, at times, paid the price for outrage caused by his hits.
Among the personalities he went head to head with were the late comedian Tado, with whom he had a live word war on the noontime program “It’s Showtime,” and former Senator Manny Pacquiao, who sparked global outrage following his controversial statement about gay people supposedly being “worse than animals.”
Vice Ganda was among the first ones to slam the senator for his remark.
- Boy Abunda
One of the most prominent LGBTQIA+ figures and advocates is King of Talk Boy Abunda. Just like Vice Ganda, Abunda did not hold back when speaking about his disappointment over Pacquiao’s words. “You do not own my humanity,” the talk show host said.
- Mimiyuuuh
Vlogger and internet personality Mimiyuh said he already knew that he identified himself with the LGBTQIA+ when he was as young as five years old. Now with his influence, he continues to advocate for equal rights for his fellow LGBTQIA+ members so that they will gain confidence to come out and be fully accepted.
- BB Gandanghari
BB Gandanghari, formerly known as Rustom Padilla, is no doubt one of the most controversial personalities in local showbiz.
He perfectly depicted how difficult it was to come out as gay in the Philippines, especially given his stature then as one of the most illustrious and most handsome actors in local cinema.
His marriage at that time to actress Carmina Villaroel was heavily criticized as a consequence of rumors about him being gay.
After years of never-ending speculations about his real gender identity, he finally made the decision to come out via the Kapamilya reality show “Pinoy Big Brother.” He revealed his true identity while talking to friend and PBB batchmate Keanna Reeves.
Since his admission, he has been staunchly advocating and fighting for the rights of his fellow LGBTQIA+ brothers and sisters.
- Mark Bautista
Singer Mark Bautista took a rough road before he was able to reveal his true bisexual self.
His is yet another story of a sensationalized coming out. Along with his admission about his sexuality via his book Beyond the Mark came the media frenzy over the man he had relations with. He, however, refused to drop names.
Bautista got everyone’s attention when he candidly opened up about having been intimate with a guy friend who also happened to be an actor.
Netizens were quick to speculate but he refused to give in to pressure to name anybody.
His courage, in turn, raked in positive responses from the netizens who also cheered him for finally being true to himself.
- Jake Zyrus
As everyone knows, singer Jake Zyrus was once Charice Pempengco who wowed the world with her spectacular voice which got international personalities like Oprah, Ellen Degeneres and David Foster bowing to her talent.
However, after achieving global fame, Pempengco shocked the world when she came out as a lesbian and eventually, through the years, slowly transformed into a full blown man we now know as Jake.
- Monique Wilson
London-based theater singer and actress Monique Wilson’s journey to admitting who she really is was not as difficult as that of her contemporaries. She said that she was thankful that people around her had long been aware of her gender preferences and she was never judged negatively.
Loud and proud, she once said: “Being a gay woman is something that I should be proud of being.”
- Ice Seguerra
Ice Seguerra, formerly Aiza Seguerra, is another celebrity who grew up practically before the public eye since her Little Miss Philippines stint back in 1987.
The cutesy little baby girl of comedy trio TVJ (Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon) was the most famous child star of the late ‘80s. As she became a teenager, she was even paired with Streetboys dance group member and then rising teen actor Sphencer Reyes.
Years later, Seguerra came out as gay and is now married to former Film Development Council of the Philippines chai Liza Dino-Seguerra.
