JUNE PRIDE MONTH 2002
Manila, Philippines

Frequently Asked Questions About Homosexuality

Are homosexuals abnormal and immoral?

Being homosexual is not abnormal. While it is true that the origin or cause of homosexuality is still subject to contending debates, a huge majority of psychologists and psychiatrists around the world have already declared that homosexuality is not an abnormality. In fact, homosexuality had already been removed from international lists of known diseases and mental sickness.

Despite these active pronouncements of experts in the medical field, however, most sectors or groups within organized religion continue to believe that homosexuality is an aberration because it is intrinsically evil and immoral. For these groups, homosexuals are abnormal because God did not create homosexuals. This view is being contested already within and outside religious denominations by homosexuals and heterosexuals alike. What's clear, however, is that whatever one's sectarian beliefs are, it is immoral and intrinsically evil to violate the fundamental human rights homosexuals.

Is there such as thing as "Third Sex?"

There is no third sex. In fact, homosexual activists are conscious in informing the media, public officials, and the society in general that using the term "Third Sex" is an affront not just to lesbians and gays but to women as well, as it implies that the first (thus superior) sex are men. Calling homosexuals as the "third sex" is also saying that women and homosexuals are mere subordinates of men.

If homosexuals want to be respected, then how come they cross-dress?

Cross-dressing refers to the use of clothes and accessories (such as make-up) that are traditionally identified with the opposite sex. While some gays prefer to don clothes traditionally identified with men, some wear women's clothes as statement and celebration of their sexuality, and they view this as an intrinsic and important component of their sexual orientation.

Respect for cross-dressing lesbians and gays is non-negotiable, and must not be based on one's preferred mode of clothing. That male cross-dressing homosexuals oftentimes encounter disrespect and discrimination is also indicative of how our society treats women. It is believed by many that it is degrading for men to wear the clothes of an inferior sex.

Why do lesbians and gays come out?

Coming out is popularly defined as one's acceptance and declaration (to friends or family, for instance) of one's homosexuality. Coming out is an important process in a homosexual's coming to terms with his or her sexuality. It's hard not to come out. It's hard to feel fully good about yourself if you have an important secret you can't tell anyone. That kind of hiding reinforces the belief that there is something shameful or faulty about being gay or lesbian. In reality, there is nothing wrong being lesbian or gay. There is something wrong with the world that makes one feel ashamed or afraid because of what she/he is. Acknowledging a part of yourself that goes against what most people fell comfortable with is truly a brave thing to do. It doesn't mean you're not scared. Being brave is about continuing to do what you need to do - in spite of the fear.

What does LGBT mean?

LGBT means to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender." Being lesbian/gay means that your primary romantic, emotional, physical and sexual attraction and connection are with someone of the same sex. Bisexuals refer to persons who are physically, sexually, and emotionally attracted to both sexes. Transgender is commonly used to include both transsexual and transvestites. Transsexuals are people who, though they were born with the body of one sex, feel they are really a person of the other sex (for instance, a "male" transsexual thinks and believes that he is a woman). Transsexuals are those who have plan to or have already undergone physical operations to alter their sex. Transvestites who may either be heterosexual, transsexual, or homosexual are people who like to wear clothes associated with the other sex.

Are homosexuals discriminated in the Philippines?

Contrary to popular belief that Filipino homosexuals are better off than their other Asian counterparts, discrimination based on sexual orientation remains rampant in the Philippines. Minors who are suspected to have "tendencies" are assaulted by their parents and teachers and ridiculed by his or her peers. There are even reports of teenage lesbians who are raped (in some cases, with the consent of the father) because of the belief that they only needed to taste having sex with men to be transformed. Police continue to arrest homosexuals to extort money from them. Other forms of discriminatory practices include vilification (verbal assault), loss of employment, unequal access to health care, education and other public services, rejection from family, and hate crimes such as physical abuse and murder.

Are homosexual families illegal?

Philippine laws DO NOT prohibit ceremonial unions of same-sex couples. Unfortunately, these unions are not legally recognized, and thus are not accorded with equal benefits given to heterosexual families, such as automatic inheritance, next-of-kin status, joint adoption, etc. Same-sex families, which are considered no different from heterosexual families by child development experts, are thus exposed to a host of discriminatory practices without equal protection under the law.

Are LGBTs asking for special rights?

Advocacy for LGBT rights is premised on the principles of equal rights, and not special rights. LGBT communities around the world are not asking for special treatment, but only want their fundamental human rights protected and promoted. These rights, which include equal protection under the law, equal opportunities and access to employment, health care, and education, and freedom of statement, are human rights that homosexuals have, but are being systematically denied due to discrimination.

Is it true that homosexuals only want to push their anti-life, anti-family agenda?

The only agenda that lesbians and gays have is to be given the freedom to love, and to have their rights recognized, protected and promoted. This agenda does not in any way cause the deterioration of our society or the corruption of our family, but rather contributes to the strengthening of the inherent diversity of our society and our people. It is an agenda that pushes for greater understanding, tolerance and acceptance.

Why is June being celebrated as the Pride Month?

In June 1969, the New York police raided the Stonewall Inn, a private bar that was frequented by homosexuals. The raid, which the police claimed was conducted because the bar was serving liquor without permit, was one of the regular police raids meant to harass the gay patrons of the bar. For the first time, however, the raid was met with resistance. Homosexual patrons of the bar, as well as enraged lesbians and gays within the area, started a demonstration that lasted for several days. A year after, the Stonewall riot was commemorated, with more lesbians and gays marching in the streets to protest discrimination and police harassment. A few years later the commemoration was celebrated in other cities as well, and became a global symbol of LGBT pride.

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