MOST of the time, members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) community find it hard to express themselves because of the fear of being judged.
There are times, too, when LGBTQIA+ couples remain inside the closet to avoid public humiliation and chastisement from the world. And despite seeing slight progress in representation and acceptance, the LGBTQIA+ community still has many battles to fight.
But some of them resisted people’s judgment and utilized social media to express their love and advocate for the normalization of same-sex relationships.
Ahead of the celebration of Valentine’s Day, here are some Filipino LGBTQIA+ couples who prove that love wins:
Raymond Gutierrez and Rob William
In 2022, celebrity host Raymond Gutierrez flaunted his lover on Instagram during the celebration of Pride month, shortly after coming out as a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community. Mond introduced his LA-based non-showbiz boyfriend named Rob William. Since then, Mond regularly posts travel photos with his boyfriend. Just recently, the two traveled to Paris, the city of love, where they spent Mond’s birthday.
Kaladkaren and Luke Wrightson
Celebrity impersonator KaladKaren and her British seafarer boyfriend Luke Wrightson proved in 2022 that love triumphs over time as they celebrated a decade together as a couple. Kaladkaren and Luke, who she often calls “Mr. Monkey,” got engaged in September 2020 after eight years of dating.
Neil Danielle Villanueva and Adrian Francisco
Flight attendants and content creators Neil Danielle Villanueva and Adrian Francisco are known for their lifestyle content on social media. They have also proven themselves online by debunking some of the pertinent stereotypes about same-sex couples through their interactive and funny skits.
Vice Ganda and Ion Perez
The love story of host-comedian Vice Ganda and actor Ion Perez is probably one of the most successful same-sex relationships in the showbiz industry. From being “Kuya Escort,” Ion became Vice Ganda’s real-life escort after the comedian announced that they were in a relationship during the anniversary of It’s Showtime, where they work together as hosts. In 2022, the couple tied the knot in Las Vegas and said they had been engaged since February 2020.
Ice Seguerra and Liza Dino
After his stint on Eat Bulaga’s Little Miss Philippines in 1987, Seguerra rose to fame for his singing talent. He is known for his hit song “Pagdating ng Panahon.” He met the former beauty queen and actress Liza Diño in 2013 and proposed a year later. They got married in the United States in December 2014.
Just a month ago, the couple went to Boracay to celebrate their eighth wedding anniversary and 10th year as a couple.
Who is your favorite LGBTQIA+ couple? Let us know.
