Rainbow over Malate

Whoever has been to Malate during the wee hours, weekends especially, will agree that it is the niche for gay culture—a small niche in a bustling community of young professionals, urban dwellers and even muggers. For some, Malate is an old Manila district where upper and lower middle class people live in and where petty theft is a common practice. But for others, it is the go-to place for a good night hangout, a place for meeting new friends and a place for just having fun.

The 40-meter long rainbow flag waving through the sea of proud LGBT people and allies. Image from Proud to be LGBT Campaign

Oh, that sticker!

Task: Wear the "I love lesbian and gay rights" sticker everywhere you go for seven days.

The not-so-sticky stickers

I had mixed feelings. At first, I thought the task was something that I could do effortlessly. But I soon realized how daunting it was. I felt that I would be screaming my sexuality to the whole population of the metro just be wearing it. And that is something I find unnecessary—letting everyone and anyone know that I am gay. Just so everyone knows, I don't hide it. I just happen to be unconsciously discreet as my friends would put it. 

A 7-day heterosexual diary

I'm taking up LGBT Psychology this semester and one of its holiday homework is to write a diary abut the different ways heterosexuality affects us. So I gathered up seven instances during the break which shows how I had been heterosexualized :)

Entry#1

My mom was invited to the wedding where both the bride and the groom happened to be her students when they were still in high school. So her name was on the list under the “ninang” section and was paired with a “ninong” whom we both didn't know. So as I was reading the list of invited guests, it dawned on me how strong heterosexuality’s role was played—most females that would walk down the aisle should be accompanied by a male. But my mom and I chose not to go the wedding on the day itself. Did the strong imposition of heterosexuality turned me off? Perhaps. Or we just got lazy.