'Tolerated, but not accepted': Filipino LGBTQ+ speak up vs discrimination

MANILA, Philippines – The Filpino LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) community's struggle for acceptance is far from over. (READ: The long road to an LGBT anti-discrimination law)

On Saturday, June 8, MovePH, Rappler's civic engagement arm, conducted the second online conversation for Pride Month, asking the LGBTQ+ community to recount times when they were discriminated against for their gender. 

'Always be a failure'

Abandonment and being neglected by family members are typical narratives for the LGBTQ+.

Getting judged for being gay is hard. But it was even harder for Jeyd, since this judgment came from his own family. He wrote that he wanted to explore his gender fluidity, but his family shut him down.

"Matalino ka pa naman. Gusto mo nilalait-lait ka," Jeyd recalled on Twitter. (To think that you're smart, but you want to be disrespected.)

Hi, I'd say that yes I have been discriminated by my family due to my SOGIE, I want to express and explore my gender fluidity through drag makeup or makeup in general and I never thought that they would be the ones to discriminate me first hand (1/3) #PHPride2019#ResistTogetherhttps://t.co/dwCQDoLzB3

— jeyd(@JeydedKween) June 9, 2019

Coming out as part of the LGBTQ+ community isn't easy under any circumstance. But it's extra difficult for those who are afraid of how their family would react.

I have a family of homophobes. I grew up mostly in circles of homophobes. Been wanting to come out, but I don't have an outlet and I know I don't have the support system that I need. I am gay, and I want people to know and accept it.#PHPride2019#ResistTogether

— YB (@incognitoYB) June 8, 2019

Nothing is more painful than being discriminated against by people you thought had your back. HannJhey tweeted about his struggle with his parents.

I have been discriminated by my own parents. They said that I will always be a failure because of my gender preferences and because of my crowd (LGBTQ+ friends). They said that I might as well end up in hell.

Thanks, parents.#PHPride2019#ResistTogetherhttps://t.co/ZClVuotfLK

— j (@hannjehy) June 8, 2019

Twitter users Sean Josh and Cherl shared that they were discriminated against for being effeminate gays. Sean said he was mocked whenever he watched Barbie movies and sang in a soft voice.

Been dicriminated for being malamya thats why i tried to walk straight and manly. Been discriminated for watching barbie movies and it hurts to be unable to sing the songs whenever my sister watches them. Been discriminated for having a girly singing voice + https://t.co/jFsILU6BZt

— uɐǝs ɥsoɾ (@seantidoped) June 8, 2019

Been discriminated for being malamya before. I've only been out for 6 months, so we'll see. https://t.co/7JE3U8CnNc

— CHERL (@avecninio) June 8, 2019

Numbers-wise, MovePH's conversation garnered over 1,600 tweets, with participants using hashtags #PHPride2019 and #ResistTogether. 

Words such as as "acceptance," "nakakadiri" (gross), "equality," "pass," and "anti-discrimination" were the most used.

"Pass" and "anti-discrimination" were associated with the anti-discrimination bill,which aimed to ban any discriminatory practices on the basis of one's "sexual orientation or gender identity." The 17th Congress failed to pass this bill. (READ: [OPINION] Life without bullies? Why Senate must pass anti-discrimination bill)

Here are more accounts from the conversation:

How do you think society could better treat the LGBTQ+ community? – Rappler.com