The fight for inclusivity, equality, and for LGBTQIA+ individuals to live freely and authentically extends beyond a month.
Loud and proud
LGBTQIA+ content creators and the struggle toward inclusivity
Jun 27, 2023 02:54 PM
At a glance
LGBTQIA+ VOICES From left: Macoy Dubs, Tina Boado, and Roanne Carreon
Over the weekend, the streets of Makati and Quezon City came to life with vibrant colors and exuberant energy from gleeful marchers for two local celebrations of the Pride Parade in the metro to cap off Pride Month in the Philippines. The grand event, otherwise known as the Pride March, gathers and honors the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer or questioning, asexual, and more) community, inspires self-acceptance, and serves as a demonstration for equal rights among all genders.
LOUD AND PROUD Thousands of LGBTQIA+ and their supporters join the Pride March in Quezon City on Saturday, June 24, to celebrate Pride Month (Noel B. Pabalate)
The battle for equal justice and opportunity for the queer community began during the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. It has been ongoing since. Throughout the years, support for the vulnerable minority has been on the rise. The LGBTQIA+ community, however, is still faced with repressions and abuses everywhere. The sector is still under constant threat from dangers that undermine the safety, freedom, rights, and the very lives of its members.
Even as Pride Month ends, the need to talk about the movement persists, which is why with the help of audio streaming platform Spotify, I had a conversation with content creators who are instrumental in spreading awareness for the community.
Comedian Macoy Averilla, popularly known as Macoy Dubs, and the brains and voices behind podcast Queertuhan, Roanne Carreon and Tina Boado, shared their experiences on making it big and using their platforms for good. These creators are known as proud members and staunch advocates of the community.
A SAFE SPACE Queertuhan has hosts Roanne Carreon and Tina Boado share their stories and experiences for the LGBTQIA+ community
Does your sexuality ever affect your work? Would you say it hinders you or gives you more opportunities?
Macoy: One challenge would be the concept of double standards. For instance, back in 2018, there was a brand that wanted to work with me as one of their creators but when I submitted the video, they said that they had to pull me out because I was too effeminate. Working in the podcast industry, however, has allowed me to have many allies, especially since I am part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Tina: Personally, my sexuality doesn’t affect my creative work negatively. I view it as just one aspect of my identity and not my entire being. On the positive side, it has helped me connect with our audience since our listeners are part of the same niche community.
Roanne: Being a queer person working in the marketing field, I have learned how to navigate social media and create content that speaks to my target audience. I am not limited to just being queer.
What are your insights on LGBTQIA+ representation in social and mass media today?
Macoy: In general, there is progress in the representation of LGBTQIA+ in Philippine mass media. Recent successes, like KaladKaren winning the best actress in a supporting role award in the Summer MMFF (Metro Manila Film Festival), are a positive sign of increasing representation in the mainstream. But of course, there are still moments in the Philippine showbiz industry that need to be addressed, such as the need for authentic casting of gay roles for film or TV. The concepts of inclusivity and equality must be recognized, and efforts must be made to ensure that LGBTQIA+ actors are given equal opportunities to portray roles that are representative of their identities. I think there should be an organization related to movies and films that address these issues or challenges.
A PROGRESSIVE WIN KaladKaren winning the best actress in a supporting role award in the Summer MMFF (Metro Manila Film Festival) is a positive sign of increasing LGBTQIA+ representation in the mainstream (KaladKaren | Instagram)
Roanne: We believe that while there have been positive developments in LGBTQIA+ representation and the younger generation is out and proud on social media more than ever, there is still a long way to go. While there is more visibility for queer people, there is still a lack of representation in mainstream media, especially when it comes to GL (gay and lesbian) or BL (boys love).
What are the biggest misconceptions about LGBTQIA+ in the country?
Macoy: Stereotyping. For example, when you’re a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, laging ibinibigay na role sa’yo is best friend (you’re always given the role of the best friend). The second example is when an individual is given a gay role, they are automatically expected to portray a loud and pa-importante character. I also want to mention that the drag industry here in the Philippines is thriving. So far, it has had no issues such as “Drag queens grooming children.” It is important, however, to have allies who can support and understand the LGBTQ+ community.
We have episodes that address these misconceptions. Charot Readings with Macoy Dubs is not just about the zodiac and astrology, we also try to incorporate relevant issues. In the upcoming months, our discussions will revolve around sexual health, mental health, and trans visibility.
CHAR, TAROT TAYO! Charot Readings with Macoy Dubs is a horoscope-centric podcast where Macoy Dubs hosts the show as Madam Tarot
Tina: One misconception right now is the negative portrayal of trans siblings, which originated from certain conservative groups in the US. If Filipinos adopt this notion, it could be very dangerous. For example, some people believe that drag queens are grooming younger generations into a particular lifestyle, which is simply untrue and unfair.
Roanne: Another misconception is that the LGBTQIA+ community’s capabilities are limited to the entertainment industry. People often assume that queer individuals are only meant for entertainment or comic relief, which is not the case.
How can content creators help build an atmosphere of inclusion?
Macoy: Through the power of representation and collaboration. Whenever audiences listen to a podcast or watch videos and see a personality they can relate to, they tend to get motivated. It is important to feature diverse voices and perspectives on our platforms.
Roanne: It helps when we have a healthy representation of the queer community. For example, mainstream media should be able to show how raw and authentic queer love is, emphasizing that it is no different from heterosexual love. Showing that queer couples experience the same things as heterosexual couples, such as love quarrels and long-term relationships, can help break down misconceptions and promote acceptance.
Tina: We build inclusion by advocating for tangible changes in policymaking that will shape the decisions of the ones in power. An example would be the SOGIE Equality Bill to be passed that protects queer people from discrimination.
