Homophobia, or one's prejudice against someone's preferred sexual orientation has been a huge societal conflict even in the modern society. Millions and Millions of members of the LGBTQ+ community are often oppressed, hated, ridiculed, and even violated just because of their sexuality. What had caused this stigma against the LGBTQ+ community? What did the members of the LGBTQ+ community violate to receive such mistreatment from our modern society? And most importantly, are the members of the LGBTQ+ community morally bad? 

 

This dates back to the 1500s when our country was first introduced to the concept of Christianity. Which we all know has created a huge influence in our modern culture.  Basically, because God only created Man and Woman, so therefore, homosexuality is immoral. This has lead people into thinking with the same mindset for centuries to come. Religion basically set heterosexuality as the "normal" and homosexuality as something negative. And even until today, this mindset is greatly affecting our society's stand on LGBTQ+ rights. However, Religion is mostly built upon the pedestal of the concept of love and being a good human being, good enough for you to go to heaven when you die. "For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting." This is one of the well-known verses on the Bible: John 3:16. God loves the world. God loves his creation. Christianity always praised love. But why is loving the same sex as you considered immoral? How is heterosexual love different from homosexual love? And also, Christianity is all about being a good human being, which is not a bad thing, however, why is that Christians show a lot of negativity towards the LGBTQ+ community? Is hating, oppressing, bullying other people for being who they want to be part of being a good human being? Isn’t Christianity contradicting itself when it is mostly about praising love, being kind to others but also restricting homosexuals to love? Also, if God do not want homosexuality and loves his creation, why would he create homosexuals in the first place? 

 

And now, here we are, in the 21st century where we still live in the same way of thinking about homosexuality. Where heterosexuality is the norm and homosexuality is invalid most of the time. Our cultures and traditions, which are greatly affected by religion, are now deemed to shame homosexuals for being who they are. 

Religion roots many more reasons on why Filipinos hold such prejudice within the LGBTQ+ community.

 

Gay jokes, one of the reasons why many younger people are taught that homosexuality is something bad. This is still very prominent even today, if you look at social media networking sites like Facebook, you will see a lot of gay bullying jokes that are very problematic and can offend somebody. Like memes about Jake Cyruz being a trans man, or if a celebrity or artist comes out as part of the LGBTQ+ community, people will start criticizing them and start to comment hurtful words. Another example of this is when a boy is not participating in more "masculine" activities like sports and whatnot, or acts more feminine than masculine, his peers will most likely call him "gay" and with this, the boy will think that being gay is not okay. Which leads to internal homophobic where the boy might think that being gay is not valid because he will get bullied if he is gay. And so, he will create a mental barrier, try to be more masculine. And the chain continues. This can also be related to toxic masculinity. Toxic masculinity implies a set standard on being a "real man" or being "man enough".  And yes, it is toxic because it causes pressure especially to the younger generation who think that they have to be interested in certain things, act like a "man", be interested only in girls, and many more. This standard mostly causes emotional restraint because men are stereotyped to be "brave" and to not cry. Toxic masculinity is a standard that most young boys are taught. And if a young closeted gay boy is exposed to toxic masculinity or gets bullied for not acting manly, he will have a hard time to deal with his emotions and will try to deny his own sexuality because he thinks that him being gay is invalid. This also happens to younger lesbian girls, however, younger boys are more likely to get bullied and to be susceptible to gay jokes because of toxic masculinity.

 

Stereotypes, this one shows a lot of people’s hypocrisy towards LGBTQ+ community. Common stereotypes for gay people are: feminine, funny, outgoing, energetic. Admit it or not we like to watch gay people on TV, especially on comedy shows. For example, Vice Ganda, Ate Gay, and many more. However, why is it that whenever someone in our families come out as part of the LGBTQ+ community, they are judged and ostracized? Do heterosexuals only value LGBTQ+ for their comedic value? 

 

Culture and tradition is another conflict of interest within the stigma against the LGBTQ+ community. An example of this is when you’re the only son in the family. A lot of pressure will be put on you because you are the only one who will carry out your family’s last name. Gay men are more susceptible to this because, what if they’re not interested in marrying women? Another one is how we often value our Women. I notice a lot of my grandparents ask my aunties or cousin, when will they have children. A lot of pressure is put on women when it comes to pregnancy. Is this how we value women? If they can or cannot bear children? This is a point of conflict to lesbian women who are not interested in their opposite sex.

 

Lastly, Misconceptions about the LGBTQ+ community often lead to growing hatred. For example, A gay guy came out to his straight friends and these straight friends will have the tendency to be uncomfortable with their friend because he might be sexually attracted to them. And the gay guy has to clarify that he is not sexually attracted to them. Why? Do heterosexual men have to clarify to their heterosexual women friends that they are not sexually attracted to them? Are straight people sexually attracted to every person that are opposite sex as them? 

 

Humans are humans. Humans live on their own standard in life. And we as humans should show respect to one another, regardless of our sex, beliefs, sexual orientation, and differences. The LGBTQ+ community until today are suffering from invalid criticism, hatred, and sometimes, even injustice just because they are expressing their true selves. How can we help? Normalize. Normalize younger people coming out. Normalize homosexuality. Normalize seeing gay/lesbian couples. Exclusivity, oftentimes, can contribute to the stigma against the community. Accept. Accept your friends and family if they come out as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Make them feel loved and accepted. And most importantly, Love. Set aside your prejudices because in this cruel world we live in today, sometimes, all we need is love