06/06/2026
𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 | Beyond Closed Doors: Tracing the LGBTQIA+ Community’s Long Journey Towards Acceptance
A convoluted train of thoughts tangles onto one another, trying to find an explanation for the discomfort of discovering feelings for someone of the same s*x.
Within their minds, denial intertwines with grief. After all, they were taught that such admiration should not exist simply because it falls outside the conventional idea of love; that it is something destined to lead people astray, surrounded by fear, ridicule, and rejection.
Conflicted. Reluctant. Anxiously waiting for an explanation as to why they felt that way.
𝗦𝗟𝗔𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗗 𝗦𝗛𝗨𝗧
Homos*xuality has a long history of being accepted, rebuked, and welcomed again in a cycle that spans centuries. Tracing back to pre-colonial Philippine society, many communities were open to the idea of same-s*x relationships and gender diversity. Although these societies operated within hierarchical structures, they generally showed little discrimination based on s*x. Women often held status equal to men and, while most chieftains were male, historical accounts show that women could also rise to leadership and even lead warriors into battle.
In the 1668 book Historia de las Islas e Indios de Bisayas, Fr. Francisco Alcina documented that men could also assume the role of a Babaylan, spiritual leaders traditionally associated with women from prominent families. Recent translations revealed that these male Babaylan, known as “Bayog” or “Asog” in Visayan languages, often identified more closely with women in their way of life, expressed themselves through feminine clothing, and lived with same-s*x partners without the stigma attached to such relationships today.
However, when Spanish friars introduced Christianity during colonization, many indigenous beliefs and traditions were suppressed. Along with them came changes in attitudes toward gender and s*xuality, shaping perceptions that would persist for generations.
The beliefs imposed during the colonial period continued to influence Filipino society long after Spanish rule had ended. For centuries, many LGBTQIA+ individuals found themselves navigating a culture where acceptance often came with conditions, and visibility remained a challenge.
𝗦𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛
In the 1990s, many members of the q***r community endured hurtful remarks, discrimination, and deeply conservative attitudes, often within their own homes. Openly expressing one's s*xual orientation without fear of judgment remained difficult, leaving many to seek refuge within the confines of the closet.
Yet silence, although comforting, only offers temporary peace. For hearts longing to be known for who they truly are, hiding was never enough. Their heartbeats could not remain love letters written in Morse code forever, so eventually, they spoke.
In 1996, the streets of Malate, Manila came alive with marching g**s, le****ns, and same-s*x couples. They carried themselves with joy, sang words of affirmation, and celebrated beneath the vibrant colors of the rainbow. It was one of the earliest public demonstrations of LGBTQIA+ pride in the country — a call for visibility, equality, and recognition.
Led by several gay and le***an organizations, Solidarity ‘96 was more than a parade. In a time when those who did not conform to society's expectations were often treated as outsiders, it became an opportunity for many to finally reveal themselves — not as masks created for acceptance, but as the people they truly were.
For many, it marked a turning point. The gathering demonstrated that the community would no longer remain hidden behind closed doors, choosing instead to make its presence known and its voice heard.
𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗦
Today, these identities are increasingly met with acceptance rather than rejection. Yet while society has grown more welcoming, the fight for equal rights continues.
Although many Filipinos have become more open to the existence of same-s*x relationships, legislation aimed at protecting members of the LGBTQIA+ community remains pending. The SOGIESC Equality Bill, repeatedly filed through the years, continues to face delays despite longstanding calls for its passage.
Even so, the community's voice remains unwavering. Through decades of advocacy, its calls for inclusivity, equality, and freedom continue to be heard.
Pride, after all, has never been solely about celebration. It has also been about visibility, dignity, and the freedom to exist without fear.
“Pride for me is freedom — freedom to be who you are, the freedom to be allowed to express yourself, and the freedom to be able to just enjoy what you want and [be] who you are.”
These were the words of Vice Ganda, one of the country's most prominent LGBTQIA+ personalities. Beyond entertainment, the It's Showtime host has become a symbol of visibility for many Filipinos — proof that gender identity does not limit a person's ability to inspire, succeed, and contribute meaningfully to society.
Perhaps that is what Pride has always been about: not asking for permission to exist, but embracing the freedom to do so.
For those still wrestling with questions about who they are, the answer may not be as complicated as they were led to believe.
There was never anything wrong with them to begin with.
(c) Kurt Thomas
