According to Advocate, there are 12 countries in the world “that will kill you for being LGBT.” The reality in those countries is far different from what we in democratic Philippines have come to enjoy. While marriage equality is still beyond sight in this overwhelmingly Catholic nation, at least we are somewhat free to be ourselves without fear of persecution and prosecution.
As a matter of fact, the Wikipedia article LGBT rights in the Philippines starts with the proclamation that these 7,107 islands are “ranked as one of the most gay-friendly nations in the world, and the most LGBT friendly in Asia.”
However, these liberties that many young people take for granted have not always been there. Pre-colonial documents reveal that it was normal for male babaylans to have romantic and sexual relations with other men. But Catholicism brought to the country by the Spaniards began an era of anti-homosexual norms. When the Americans arrived at the turn of the 20th century, these beliefs were reinforced due to the perception then that sexualities that are not hereto were a psychological disease.
The acceptance of LGBT in Philippine society today can be attributed to further American influence, beginning with the gay liberation movements in the US following the Stonewall riots of 1969.
Gay Pride was essentially borne out of those circumstances, which are widely recognized as the singular incident in modern history that paved the way for the world to accept its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens. Today, Gay Pride parades are held across the globe to promote self-affirmation, equality rights and dignity. The events, typically held in late June to coincide with the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, also serve as a reminder that courageous men and women fought for the freedoms that we now have.
Here, The Gist offers some recommended viewing to help you brush up on your LGBT history and understand that the struggle didn’t end in 1969, and why Pride continues to matter in 2016.
Stonewall (2015) – This fictionalized account of the days leading up to the riots tells the story of a country bumpkin’s introduction to the New York gay culture of the late 1960s. The film allows the viewer a peek into the past through the eyes of an observer (who eventually got involved), which is a great way to narrate the tale as all of us here in 2016 never really got to experience how it was being an outsider during that contentious time in America.
Paris Is Burning (1990) – This cult favorite documentary follows the lives of those participating in the ball subculture of New York in the mid- to late-1980s. With the turbulent gay liberation movement far behind them, the film tackles diversity in race and class, drag culture and transgender issues. It’s a thoughtful look at how times have changed since the liberation, as well as how much progress was still needed to eliminate the stigma of being different.
Stonewall Uprising (2010) – This documentary that details the actual accounts of the Stonewall riots paints a vivid picture of homosexuality and its dangers in the ‘60s. It narrates the circumstances around the Stonewall Inn and analyzes the rebellion’s aftermath and impact on society and politics.
Milk (2008) – This biopic of gay rights activist icon Harvey Milk (beautifully portrayed by Sean Penn) focuses on the man’s personal and professional struggles as the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in California. But its emphasis is on his fight against Proposition 6, an initiative to ban gays and lesbians from working in public schools, which indirectly caused his assassination.
Angels In America (2003) – This HBO miniseries based on the play of the same name is a commentary on the sociopolitical climate of mid-1980s America, an era marked by the impactful Reagan era policies and the alarming AIDS epidemic of the time. It explores, among other gay-themed topics, the different society-perception-based motivations of closeted homosexual people, which remain relatable even in 2016.