Let's Get Proud this Pride Month!

"We fought for our right to love and be who we be

We will not be silenced and I won't sit down

I'm gay and proud, might not be loud, but I found my sound"

-Kameron Michaels, Rupaul's Drag Race Season 10

June marks the most colorful celebration of the year! This month, we just not celebrate but we continue the fight for the LGBT community!

"One thing is for sure. Gay people are brilliant entertainers, they bring colors to the world, and they are fucking great people. Gay people are awesome! Fight me!"

Uncensored Truth

Growing up in a small town on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines, being gay is a taboo. Our small community has little tolerance for homosexuality. As a kid, I knew since then that I was unique and different. There were times when I and my girlfriends would talk about how cute some of our boy classmates were and that, I guess, triggered my “other side”.

Since most people in my hometown despise gay people, I thought it was hard to pursue my individuality. I thought I would never fit in the context of what is “normal” back then and I never wanted to live my life like I was judged every day. So, I decided to constantly deny my true identity and sacrificed my own to please people around me. I was living in the shadows of truth. I was never found. I was never seen.

I remember, when I was in middle school, being called ‘gay’ is the highest form of insult and, unfortunately, I brought that unacceptable ideology with me later in my life. Since I was persistent in proving to myself and my friends that I was not gay, I caused myself to get involved in several fistfights— the rule was, the more you punch, congratulations, the more of a man you were! And because of this, I was able to earn other people’s respect.

As I started having the courage to accept the real me, I was able to see and understand that I was not at fault for being gay. I should not apologize. I should never. I must be proud of myself and for who I am.

Celebrating Pride Month this June, we are not just standing for ourselves, but we are representing the life-long advocacy of the LGBT community across the globe for equality and acceptance in society. As part of the current generation, we have the responsibility to continue the legacy of the people has started before us.

Why do we celebrate Pride Month?

One of the most historical incidents that sparked the gay movement was the tragedy that happened in the Stonewall Inn in New York City in 1969 and it was known to be the start of the global movement for gay empowerment.

The death of Marsha P. Johnson was a symbol of bigotry and extremism towards the gay community. The discrimination that gay people face every day is something that any person should never experience. The celebration of Pride Month reminds us that people are equal regardless of their origin, color, and belief.

Representation in the world is really important. The more people understand the concept of being gay, the more we open our minds to accepting and tolerating differences. The most important thing in this is the fact that we are willing to change the world, by eradicating hate and violence and letting love prevail in people’s hearts.

The Gay Movement Today

Currently, we are lucky to have prominent gay advocates from different fields that serve the LGBT movement. Locally, we have Vice Ganda, an entertainer, and an influencer, who has been very vocal in supporting gay rights. She uses her platform to educate and raise awareness regarding the social dilemmas that gay people are still facing. We also have RuPaul Charles, the host, and producer of the famous RuPaul’s Drag Race— a reality television show about competing drag queens as the next America’s next drag superstar.

On the other hand, there are regions in the world that are still outraged with the presence of the LGBT community. In some countries like Saudi Arabia, Myanmar, and Libya, the authorities arrest, torture, and sometimes kill people for being gay. These narratives are the reality that is not seen by many. This is one of the reasons why there is a need to continue shouting for justice and humanity.

Unfairness and hatred are things that gay people do not deserve. As humans, the LGBT community has basic human rights just like anyone else and those include respect. Expect in later years, if oppression still exists, that the gay movement will roar even louder.

The LGBT community has not totally freed itself from the unwillingness of society to absolutely accept them. From time immemorial, the plight of every gay people for inclusivity has never given without reservations.

The fight is still not over. Continue to fight for living free!