Pride Month: A month of love and acceptance

PRIDE month is something that happens every year and during those days when we got to celebrate the Pride month–we often hear the words “love” and “acceptance.”

For many people, the definition of the word “love” varies terminologies depending on how they use it. For some, love means family–while others associate the idea of love with someone who they’re romantically involved with. 

Love can be present with your friends, your neighbors, and pretty much to everyone who you care about.  

Meanwhile acceptance stands for the accepting things the way they are. 

The words love and acceptance can be associated with many things and with through people—and these are the things that the LGBTQIA+ community fight for. 

Discrimination in differences

Discrimination is nothing new for the community as for many years, it is something that they are force to endure to the differences they have. 

People are to come to them, saying that what they want and what they’re doing is something that is not normal—with some going hardcore by giving an unsolicited advice that no one asked for in the first place. 

One example of this happened a month ago when an interaction of a TikTok user and a Joyride Taxi driver went viral on social media. 

This interaction between the Joyride driver and a Tiktok user raised the eyebrows of many netizens after the driver asked if the passenger named Kim Ezekiel—who is with the LGBT community—was “happy with what he’s doing.”    

@pvtoseko i booked a Joyride taxi kaninang umaga to attend and event kasi late na ako, and this happened. I'm kinda offended sa mga sinasabi nya, first is tinanong nya ako if I'm reading the bible and sabi ko "No po kasi muslim both parents ko" and he replied "e ikaw ano ka?" I'm really not sharing my real info sa ganong bagay kaya sabi ko "hindi ko po alam" and then eto na nangyare, pinagbasa nya rin ako ng bible even tho sinabi ko sakanya na my parents was muslim. #fyp ♬ original sound – IG:izzy.kiell

The Joyride driver suddenly gave religious advice, saying that the “supposed entertainment” of his passenger’s wardrobe was part of the devil’s work. The awkwardness on Kim Ezekiel’s face can be seen as he listened and nodded in discomfort. 

As the clip went viral, netizens called out the Joyride driver for his unsolicited advice. 

In an interview with RepublicAsia Media, Kim Ezekiel further shared detail of what happened during the interaction.  

It started off as a great day for Kim Ezekiel. He was dressed up for a special occasion, his graduation day. Since Kim Ezekiel was heading far from home, he decided to book a Joyride taxi to save him from the hassle of commuting in hot weather.  

Upon entering the car, the driver started a conversation, asking if he were going to attend an event. From what’s a seemingly normal conversation, Kim replied with a yes.  

Then, an awkward interaction began when the driver asked about Kim’s religion. 

“Akala ko normal conversation lang sya until tinanong nya if ano religion ko, sabi ko both of my parents are Muslims and response nya “Eh, ikaw ano ka?” Hindi ako palashare ng info sa strangers basta basta so ang sinabi ko po is, “Hindi ko po alam,” Kim shared. 

The driver then asked Kim if he read the Bible, to which he respectfully responded with, “Hindi po kasi Muslim po parents ko. Qur’an po yung Bible namin.”   

At first, Kim thought that the reason why the driver was asking these questions was due to his religious beliefs. He quickly realized that the driver’s probing was around his sexuality, when he started asking about his gender identity. 

“Dun na nagstart na magvideo ako kasi uncomfy na ako sa questions nya like pinapamukha nya talaga sa’kin na may mali sa ginagawa ko just because I’m expressing myself,” Kim said.

“May part na tinanong nya ako ‘lalaki ka ba or babae.’ And hindi ko po sinagot agad kasi it’s so awkward to answer that kasi naka-makeup and nakaayos ako as feminine pero sa pang 3rd na question na sumagot na ako ‘lalaki po.’ And ang response nya ‘oh alam mo pala eh,’”  he said. 

From what seemed to be a special day for Kim ended up being one of the worst for him. What added fuel to the fire later on is the aftermath of the incident after the video gone viral on the social media. 

Because of this, Kim Ezekiel is further faced with hardship especially through his family–where the incident had later made him lose connection through his family. 

A battle for rights, love, and respect

Fighting for equality has always been one of the community’s goals and as per the LGBTQIA+ organizations that they’ve established, this is to further spread out awareness regarding the battles they are facing. 

For LGBTQI non-profit organization Babaylanes, INC., their core goal is to further encourage love and acceptance by strengthening and consolidation of LGBT communities through fighting discrimination and homophobia as they advocate for the LGBT rights and welfare. 

Started of as a student organization in college in UP, Babaylanes serves as an organization that advocate, educates, empower the LGBTQI community. 

In 2008, the non-profit organization became officially established as they further progress into one of the the pioneering LGBTQI organization in the whole of Asia.

For many years, Babaylanes continues to put efforts for a safe space by creating projects such as the “Babaylanes Equality Fellowship” and through conducting a workshop that discuss, empower, and strengthen their advocacy. 

While the efforts and the works that Babaylanes put in order to fight, educate, and empower the community had gotten positive results, it didn’t stop them to further fight in the battle field for a better tomorrow. 

With the continuous delay of the SOGIE Bill in the Philippines, Babaylanes is currently helping for the bill approval within the country. 

“We’re constantly lobbying for the SOGIE Equality Bill. So right now, we’re focused on the legal policy change of a project.” Said Babaylanes Communication Officer Keiko Carasig. 

“So we are headlining the campaign of Mas Happy Pag May Equality, which is a nationwide campaign of talagab lab network, as well as most of organizations in the Equality Alliance.”  Carasig added.

SOGIESC is an anti-discrimination legislation that recognize  fundamental rights of every person regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.The bill aims to provide a fair and equal opportunities for everyone. 

Carasig explains that it is a campaign where in they went the Filipinos to experience the joy of not being discriminated. 

“So this is a campaign wherein what we want the Filipinos to experience is mas masaya kapag walang discrimination, mas masaya kapag pantay-pantay, kapag pantay yung pagtingin natin sa isa’t-isa.” 

Carasig also added that this is something that they’re lobbying along side with different senators who are also advocating for the community. 

“We’ve had talks with Senator Risa, especially. We have talks with Senator Loren Legarda. We’re also very close with Congresswoman Geraldine Roman because she’s one of the ones who’s lobbying in the Congress.” They said. 

“So other than that, as well, we do research. We’re also a prominent figure in the advocacy in terms of research. So we’ve done a lot of research about diversity, equity, and inclusion in workplaces.We have also produced modules for SOGIESC and lobbying efforts in both Congress and the Senate and many more projects.” They added. 

Despite having a widespread support nationwide, Carasig also pointed out that one of the problem that the LGBTQI organizations in the Philippines that are currently facing is the lack of fundings. 

“Philippines is definitely the lack of funding. Although there are some organizations, embassies, and other international agencies that support us, a lot of us still struggle to find a solid support, an organizational support that can help us boost our advocacy.” Carasig said. 

Meanwhile even if they’re faced with a struggle like this, it didn’t stop them on looking for a solution. 

“So what we do, of course, we just send out a lot of proposals whenever there are openings in international grants.” They said. 

Aside from various proposals, they also network with different organizations and embassies so that they can build support with them. 

Thanks to this, people who had faced hardship due to their SOGIE like Kim has a safe space. 

“Syempre there’s heartening yung mga ganung experiences of fellow LGBTQI members that we have in the country.” Keiko Carasig said.  

Carasig continue to point out that this is the reason why they are fighting to further pass the SOGIE bill—to protect everyone. 

“So important na naisapasa natin yun para matulungan natin yung mga kagaya ni Kim. And additionally, kailangan din natin na mas support from local government units.” 

Family and stigma 

In the Philippines, one of the stigma that LGBTQI members face when coming out is the dispute and disagreement they come across their families especially when they came from a traditional household. 

However, things shouldn’t be like that as during this vulnerable time–it should be the family that should give out the love, acceptance and support on their children. 

“I think most of the families right now in the Philippines are scared that their children will be discriminated by people because of their, you know, SOGIESC.” Said Carasig. 

“I think it’s time that we change our mind. Ang dami ng mga magulang na naniniwalang kaya magprosper yung mga anak nila kahit LGBTQ ay sila. Kasi I think regardless whatever your SOGIESC is, love will still be there, especially if you’re a parent to your child. Andun pa rin yung pag-ibig. So if you can remove that, yung takot na yun sa puso mo, malayo yung mararating ng anak mo.” They added. 

Carasig also pointed out on how much there are LGBTQI people around the world who’s been thriving and doing a lot of good things in the world. 

“Kailangan natin ma-unlearn yung mga natutunan natin from society na may kaakibat na discrimination, may kaakibat na stigma because ayun, para magprosper yung mga anak nila.” They added. 

Carisig also came forward to give an advice to Kim who just recently experienced a disheartening situation. “My advice for Kim would be just to live your truth. Alam ko medyo mahirap siya especially if you’re tied up with several people, especially your family. But the thing is, we’re all just scared of what will happen to us kapag umalis tayo sa pamilya natin.” 

They also pointed out that this is especially when the family is someone who’s hurting us and giving us things that wouldn’t help us evolve as an individual. 

“I think by living your truth, you’ll be able to see more meanings of family, more meanings of love, not just familial, mas marami ka pang matututunan, mas marami ka pang mas makikilala.” They added. 

What’s next for Kim 

Even if things have been tough for Kim, it won’t stop him from thriving and healing. 

Despite losing a connection to his family and their support, Kim still plans to pursue his studies with help from other people.  Kim plans to pursue architecture, saying he was interested in the arts.

Aside from continuing his studies and taking on part-time jobs to support himself, he also plans to join LGBT organizations to help other members who are struggling. 

“My plan is to continue my studies and do part time jobs while studying po also join LGBTQ orgs kasi dahil din sakanila natulungan ako, and I want to help others too.”

As for discrimination, Kim said that there wasn’t much that they could do to stop it because there are people who think badly about the LGBT community. However, one thing can still be done to reduce discrimination—and this is by spreading awareness. 

“I think there’s nothing we can do para sa discrimination ng ibang tao kasi ganon talaga sila mag isip. We can spread awareness para sa new generation para hindi matulad sa pag iisip ng ibang mas nakakatanda or ka-edad natin na mali sa paningin nila ang pagiging bading and to accept everyone… also protections sa fellow LGBTQ member and also sa lahat ng gender.” 

A message for the community 

While life has never been easy for the LGBTQIA+ members, Kim Ezekiel is an example that one should not stop fighting to the right that they deserve. 

Babaylanes’ Keiko Carasig took note how we always forget what Pride is.

“I think we always forget that Pride is, you know, also about happiness. Kailangan maging maligaya tayo this month because this is our special month. Although Pride is everyday, but Pride is June. Pride Month should be about our happiness.” They said.

“This is a month where we can be ourselves the fullest. This is a month that we can see everyone uniting as one. So important na magkaisa tayo, buklod-buklod tayo para sa iisang hangarin.” They added. 

Carasig also noted on how one of the things that the Filipino LGBTQI members yearn for are the passing of the SOGIE bill and the other laws and legislations that needs to be passed. 

“So wakasan na natin ang discrimination at magtulong-tulong tayo para sa pag-ibig at para sa ating kaligayahan.” 

Meanwhile, Kim sends out a message to his fellow LGBTQI members. 

“My message po is sa mga fellow LGBTQ member is to support each other na lang kasi ang magtutulungan is tayo tayo na lang. Have fun and dedma na lang sa magthothrow hate sa kanila. Be safe everyone! Happy Pride month!”