ESPEKTRO: Exploring Queerness in the Filipino Context

Espektro

Exploring Queerness in the Filipino Context

01 PULA: Love 03 KAHEL: Identity 05 DILAW: Acceptance 09 BERDE: Community 11 BUGHAW: Prejudice 13 LILA: Pride

Table of Contents

foreword

Exploring Queerness in the Filipino Context

Espektro is a digital magazine that covers LGBTQ+ culture in the Philippines. The magazine aims to bring visibility to the queer Filipino youth and give its readers a look into the perspectives of young LGBTQ+ individuals. Espektro explores six different themes related to the experiences of various young queer individuals, with each topic being related to the colors of the rainbow, a significant symbol of the LGBTQ+ community.

The creators of Espektro recognize the lack of proper representation and awareness regarding LGBTQ+ youth in the Philippines. They realize that giving young queer individuals a platform to share their insights and experiences could help other young members of the Filipino LGBTQ+ community.

Thus, the creators are committed to publishing a magazine that is composed of articles regarding queer experiences, accompanied by creative photographs, with the goal of pushing the community into the limelight and providing its readers with information about the experiences of queer Filipino youth.

Each theme has a provided QR code linking to the photo galleries of each color, make sure to check them out!

1

Pula In a sense, all relationships are the same, regardless of who one loves. Love is love. However, in the Philippines, queer love is often looked down upon as the country is still a heavily heteronormative society. In addition to this, culture and religion are deeply embedded within Filipino society. Thus, people often look at queer love in a negative light. Nevertheless, people should be able to love who they want to with liberty. No one should ever take the right to love away.

LOVE

those standards, which is why the LGBTQ+ community is continuously expanding.

“Queer love is unique in a way that it can withstand and persevere even in a harsh environment.”

“I believe that queer love is such a unique experience due to the fact that before venturing on to romantic relationships, we tend to face adversities that build us to become stronger and realized individuals. Before “Queer love is the type of love that is beyond words entering a relationship, we tend to find ourselves first, and actions, it is simply understood and accepted. who we are, what we like or dislike, what we are Some may see queer love as something complicated capable of, and we are able to have a self-actualized but it just simply is love, a feeling.” perspective on ourselves attached to another person.”

With the stigma, judgment, and discrimination queer individuals encounter, their love only became stronger.

All of the negative connotations that society has imposed on queer love only made it more powerful, making it even more unique. Heteronormativity has become an outdated sociocultural norm and people, especially the LGBTQ+ community, have been trying to dismantle it. As society realized how harmful heteronormative norms are, they no longer feel the need to conform to

“

While society views queer relationships and heterosexual relationships differently, it cannot be denied that the love they experience is just the same.

The love that all relationships have, regardless of its members, the feeling one gets from falling in love, is all the same. Thus, no one has the right to strip people of their right to love.

Queer love in itself is defiance.

— 4.

2

Kahel

IDENTITY The journey toward finding one’s sexual and gender identity can be difficult and confusing. People’s identities’ meanings are not permanent, rather, they are constantly changing throughout time and are shaped by society. Exploring one’s queer identity can mean having a lot of self-discovery, self-realization, and ultimately getting to know oneself.

‘coming out of the closet’ is a huge part of one’s queer journey. ‘Coming out’ stories can vary differently, and everyone has their own experiences regarding it, whether positive or negative. However, disclosing one’s queer identity to other people is not an obligation. ` “There was a lot of guilt, then a lot of acceptance.”

“It was a very draining and pressuring journey. I was pressured to conform to a label, however, it was draining as I was going back and forth on what label fit the best for me.”

Just like figuring out other aspects of our lives, figuring out who we are and understanding our gender identity and orientation takes time but once you do, you should be true to how you feel at the moment and respect both yourself and those around you. Having figured out your Whether an individual identifies as heterosexual, feelings and understanding who you are can bring out homosexual, cisgender, or transgender, one should your fullest potential. embrace it and show pride in it. It is no question that exploring one’s sexual and gender identity is not an “It was a lonely, yet fulfilling journey because I kept easy task. However, no one should be afraid to embark most of my struggles about it to myself. I say fulfilling on this journey towards self-discovery. Knowing one’s because from the moment I told my closest friends identity can be a liberating experience and it can about it, I only became happier and more comfortable enable one to be their authentic self. Furthermore, with myself.”

3

“

Lost, yet liberated.

— G.

4

5

Dilaw

ACCEPTANCE

The Philippines’ view on the LGBTQ+ community still remains a gray area despite society’s immense progress throughout the years. While queer individuals are slowly being recognized as equal human beings, Filipino society does not completely accept the community. Rather, they are only ‘tolerated’, meaning they do not condemn queer people and they recognize them as functioning members of society, but do not value their rights. This is especially evident through the microaggressive behaviors towards the members.

“Feeling and seeing that no boundaries exist with our expressions.”

Along with this ongoing lingering narrow-mindedness is the rejoicing of the Filipinos during events for the community such as the Pride March. Even if the country has made actions and progress to openly welcome and accept the queers, they still stumble along the way. The said event and similar ones bleed out more influence and awareness, providing heartwarming and new experiences for everyone within the community as they celebrate their true identities and sexualities. There is an overwhelming and endless stream of support from

“

all over the country for the community and especially for those that have risen and made a platform for LGBTQ+ people.

“We are now given an opportunity to love freely, because more people are now willing to know, listen, and understand the type of love that we share with the community.”

Still several people refuse to accept and learn about the community. Common factors involves around the strong influence of patriarchy, religious beliefs and double standards. Regardless, there should not be any lack of hope and perseverance that one day, they too will open their arms to their family, children, and friends who are part of the queer community. Until then, the people of this community still face prejudice that is mostly unseen nowadays since the media is oversaturated with love and support. The journey to achieving acceptance in its highest potential is soon, the community and the allies stand tall as they accept one another wholeheartedly.

I felt safe being surrounded by love while having the freedom to be fully me.

— Nycky.

6

Berde

COMMUNITY

“The solidarity, because no one else understands the “You get to meet emotionally intelligent and empathetic struggles and the hardships that we face other than people.” ourselves.”

The number of years it took for the community to As the saying goes “birds of a feather flock together”, gain understanding, support, and a safe space from the LGBTQ+ community does too! Not only its members, everyone else took a while but it was all worth it. Each but also the allies who stand alongside their loved ones step they take alongside the SOGIE bill creates only a within the community. It was not so long ago when better and more free environment for them to exist in the members of the community experienced intense and interact with. Having people beside one another isolation, humiliation, and prejudice not just from the who are part of the community never fails to put love public eye, but possibly also from the ones they trust the and contentment in each of their hearts as they continue most. All because of that disagreement on the freedom to create more relationships with others regardless of of identity. The Philippines has come a long way to their sexual orientation and gender identity. Love and alleviate tensions between the community and the rest friendship have never been this good and it’ll only of society and one of those actions is the SOGIE bill, get better from here. The culture and the values made also known as the Sexual Orientation and Gender within these connections are forever intertwined within Identity Expression Equality Bill. The community and the community and the ones that continue to stand by the allies cheered and roared for this bill to become them. May they lift each other up while still pursuing a reality. This bill offers safety and reassurance to the their endeavor on spreading love and awareness to community that they will be safe in public areas as and from the queer community. they go out into the world as their true selves, spaces wherein they study and work are the most important “You get to redefine love. And this love will transcend ones. to yourself, to be loved, and to give love.”

7

“

The LGBTQ+ community is accepting, appreciative, and knows no boundaries.

— SC.

8

“Queer love is the type of love that is beyond words and actions, it is simply understood and accepted. Some may see queer love as something complicated but it just simply is love,

“I felt very accepted the moment I found friends who grew with me until now. I continue to believe that I was never alone in the first place, even after the darkest moments of my life.”

a feeling.” — SC

— jellounjam

“It was a very confusing experience where I doubted my decision about my sexuality frequently. However, coming to terms with it was the enlightening part because I felt more

“They would feel comfortable talking to me, being open about what it means to be queer

connected with myself.” — A

and how they’re still people after all.” — M

“The community, how even if the worst of the worst happens, welcomes you to enjoy being your authentic self and building a safe space that fuels you with a sense of belongingness.”

“The battle with yourself. Countless self doubts and questioning of self worth.” — Shete

— jellounjam

“Being an ally helps in creating a safe space towards the LGBTQ+ community. Just by fostering acceptance, being an advocate, and

“It gives me this sense of pride, knowing that we allow ourselves to love the way we feel love, to whoever we see fit, regardless of what society claims is the normal that we are raised

educating others.” — Carl

to follow.” — Sunfish

11

Bughaw PREJUDICE

Deemed as the “Southeast Asia’s Most Gay-Friendly Country Still Has No Law Against LGBT Discrimination,” according to Time Magazine (De Guzman / Quezon City Philippines, 2023). LGBTQIA+ Filipinos are still fighting for their rights against SOGIE Discrimination.

With more than a decade of deliberation, the SOGIE Equality Bill is still in the legislative process. With that being said, Filipinos, especially queer ones, are yet to face discrimination because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

aspects of life, especially their mental health and social interaction. A lot of young queers encounter these horrible experiences, particularly with their families, learning environments, and public spaces.

Having a conservative majority built by religion, specifically Christianity, plays a vital role in widening the discrimination towards sexual orientation and gender identity because of the notion that people are only perceived with two genders, male and female.

It creates a concept that people between those two spectrum is somewhat flawed, which is wrong since it “Being ridiculed and bullied for the way I behave does not conform to the norms of the society. and dress, as well as for loving someone of the same gender,” said an anonymous Still, despite all these obstacles and hindrances, people should accept that gender and sexuality do “The fact that I came out to an adviser before because I not stick with black and white or boy and girl. Society already felt comfortable with her, but knowing the next progresses as time goes by, together with the norms. day I was outed at the faculty to teachers that I didn’t That said, lawmakers need to be more inclusive and even feel comfortable with.”, another anonymous. open-minded with these concepts. Also, the LGBTQIA+ community must continue to fight for their rights since all With these statements, it is clear that discrimination of us will benefit from these bills about SOGIE equality against the LGBTQIA+ community is still prevalent in and discrimination. It is not just a fight for one’s and the Philippines, especially the youth. It affects several everyone’s rights.

“

Being misunderstood is a thing that makes the society a bitter place for the community to be in.

— SC. 12

Lila

PRIDE

“Being part of the LGBTQ+ community gave me an immeasurable amount of pride as I do the things that I love. It gives me a different level of confidence, knowing that I am a queer despite being in the most homophobic community; therefore, there is nothing less that I can achieve.” An anonymous said.

visibility.

Awareness is vital to the LGBTQIA+ community because social media presence, such as X (formerly Twitter), has a significant role. Pop culture and entertainment play an integral role in spreading Awareness with Vice Ganda, BL series, and movies such as Rookie. Also, with these Pride—a word that many people attach to the presences, several discriminations are still manifested LGBTQIA+ community. It is the confidence and self- and seen through various means such as Memes, hate respect expressed by members of the community. Being comments, and disinformations about the community. part of a community that genuinely accepts you gives People should be critical of what we post and practice us a sense of belonging and empowerment with each being more inclusive to build a positive engagement other. It is rooted in love, making it special and unique with others, especially online communities. because the community is supportive, understanding, and passionate. This sense of community makes Until now, society has so much to work on, especially members feel empowered by simply being with them with LGBTQ+ rights, specifically the SOGIE Equality and being in their presence.

Bill. There are many ways to feel empowered within themselves and the community. Supporting each other, LGBTQIA+ Community in the context of the Philippines acknowledging the presence of those unseen, and comes from a long journey of queer empowerment and expressing love toward the community are just some Awareness. With the SOGIE Equality bill still in the ways to show empowerment. People are spreading works, it makes the community more vulnerable, which awareness through social media and the closest people, members of the community have been fighting for giving critical opinions, and sharing factual information until now. With the help of each one of the community about the LGBTQIA+ community. Empowerment members, it gives Awareness to specific issues such as and awareness are some of the things that make the the increasing HIV/AIDS cases, discrimination against community authentic, genuine, and unique. sexual orientation and gender identity, and transgender

13

“

I feel more connected with my identity and it makes me feel more free.

— jiyu.

14

The Creative Staff

KIRK

CANONIZADO Creative Director Photographer Photo Editor

JASPER CABARON Writer Layout Artist Collaborator

KAMILLE CASTILLO Layout Artist Collaborator

AVEN

CASASOLA

Writer Model Collaborator

YUANNA CATIMBANG

Writer Collaborator

PAIGE ALVARDO

Paige / Viri @page.avi & @vkhione

IREECE

NAKAHATA

Iris Kun @Iris_goddess_of_color

AVEN

CASASOLA

@levanterrr

RHYAN ANIBAN

@gymnayhr

ASHER IBANA

@eaibana15

SHAINE MIAS

@hhhaaaarrrry

DRES DEÑA

@drescoded

Models

JAINE STINE @j4nn.dii

RAYA

SIMONETTE Murdera Crowes @murdera.crowes

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