Equality Philippines

DANTON REMOTO Chair Ang Ladlad Party-list 2010 Senatorial Candidate Several weekends ago, I visited a college and talked to their students. They usually ask me about communication and the art of writing. If not that, then they ask me to give a talk on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights and issues. I always like talking to young people because they are so vibrant. They ask so many questions and that is good, because they want to know the answers as well. I think it is this casual impertinence and insatiable curiosity that are the hallmarks of the young and the restless. And it is these qualities that might fuel the so-called youth vote that all presidentiables are now angling for. This reminds me of a small run-in with a presidential wannabe in 2010, a man who loves to shoot his mouth off without knowing the facts and figures at hand. With imaginary poise, he told me breathlessly: “Professor Remoto, there is no such thing as a youth vote. They would rather go to Starbucks or ...

I really thought that I was not going to comment on this issue; especially since those involved come from showbiz, an industry that is notorious for fabricating stories about its denizens just to keep them in the public eye. This whole “scandal” may very well be just another one of those well-crafted publicity stunts such that commenting on the whole thing might prove futile in the end. But as things stand, the story has now caught the nation’s undivided attention and is being used by various parties including several government agencies and politicians to earn them media mileage as well. Let us not forget that it is an election year after all. What I cannot personally stand are the moralistic and medical discourses being voiced out by these public personages, which are ultimately anti-sex and therefore anti-people, something that I feel we must all guard against. How it all started Not too long ago, rumors started circulating about the existence of a sex tape involving Katrina Halili ...

(photo courtesy of http://midfield.wordpress.com) (photos courtesy of http://gmanews.tv) Apparently a retired colonel, Abner Afuang , driven by a sudden pang of anger, doused water on Hayden Kho amidst the senate hearing yesterday when Kho and Katrina Halili were face to face. Orders to arrest Afuang were immediate. When interviewed, Afuang stated he lost hold of himself, was abruptly irritated upon seeing Kho, and was ANGRY at Kho as he had watched his sex video with Halili, further commenting it was good he did not hit Kho and just poured water instead. Shame on you, Afuang! TOO MUCH FOR HAYDEN As for me, I feel for Kho. He is judged TOO MUCH by practically everybody. His Mom, Irene Kho, recently went on air to express disgust over sensationalizing the scandal, naming Lolit Solis as the primary orchestrator of Katrina's moves to expose the issue. The mother is so affected, and the father has suffered a mild stroke because of the humiliation. Yes, Hayden may be guilty. He is havin...

Here is the second list of new (relatively) Pinoy gay words. The first list may be seen here . And as always, your contribution is greatly appreciated. Enjoy! Noranian - drug addict "Ang payat ni Kim Chiu 'no? Noranian na rin siguro?" Chanda Romero - stomach, especially pot belly "Ang lakas naman ng loob mo mag body fit bakla, tingnan mo nga 'yan, may special participation si Chanda Romero !" Purissima - broke, penniless "Babe, wala muna load this week ha? Purissima ako e." Constructicons - male construction workers, usually willing to have sex with gay men "Bakla, spell tigang? Saan ba ang pinalamalapit na tinatatayong gusali at makipagtagisan ako ng lakas sa mga Constructicons ?" Markova - an old (but still fabulous) drag queen "In ten years, bakla, bilanging mo. Si Mama Ricky Reyes Markova na 'yan!" DVD Commentary - annoying people who have a habit of talking inside movie houses "Grabe siya o! Talagang tinatalak ...

Adam Lambert Kris Allen Much to my frustration, it was Kris Allen who won American Idol Season 8. All the while, I thought Adam Lambert would make it first to the finish line. I'm not saying that Kris Allen does not deserve it. However, I was hoping that some "gay" deserving singer would finally be declared American Idol, for once. The same frustration enveloped me when Cook outshined Archuleta in Season 7. Why is it that American Idol seems to choose the evidently straight guy over the pink guy? JUST ASKING . Here's to hoping that indeed there is no stereotyping involved in this race. Worthy members of the LGBTQ community deserve to dominate the limelight too! My consolation, though, is that the resounding success of Archuleta in his career would imply that Lambert, although only declared runner up, could still also go a long way to make it big. So take it away, Adam! :)

Book Review on American Communication Professor Robert Alan Brookey's book "Reinventing the Male Homosexual: The Rhetoric and Power of the Gay Gene". This post was written by RBP team member line of flight from Sampaloc Toc . Robert Alan Brookey is an American Professor of Communications at Arizona State University. He wrote Reinventing the Male Homosexual: The Rhetoric and Power of the Gay Gene . I was just beginning to blossom when LeVay came out with his theory of neuroendocrinological basis for heterosexual and homosexual difference and when Hamer came out with his theory of the gay gene. As an adolescent, the gay gene theory seemed to fit so perfectly into the idea that homosexuality is inborn and that I had no choice in the matter. Yet, as I went through college and graduate school, it became clear that the gay gene theory would not work. The consequences of it are highly problematic. Is there a gene that predisposes someone to watching May Bukas Pa or Wowowee ? D...

Finally, hear people from all over the world saying how proud they are no matter what their gender identity is. :) You should be proud too! Please watch this video, rate it and comment on youtube, post this to your social network profiles or spread it to all your friends and help support the fight against HOMOPHOBIA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2Rp8ep_ezE