The recent controversial statement issued by Miss Universe first runner-up Miriam Quiambao subjected her to an endless tirade from the outraged LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered) community. Quiambao, now the target of hatred from the said community, issued an apology afterwards.
Miriam proceeded to reply, explain, and apologize. She frequently cited Bible teachings. She replied with she “will think about it” to @eco_fierce who challenged her to “advocate” the Ladlad Partylist in the next elections if she really “love us, and sincerely believe LGBT deserves equal rights.”
About 16 hours after her first LGBT tweet, Miriam posted “I’m sorry LGBT. Perhaps I was too harsh with the words I used. Will do my best to be more sensitive,” with the hashtags “respect,” “nobodysperfect,” and “grace.”
(Source: Link)
Religious zealots, meanwhile, praised her for her Godly conviction, while some condemned her for being too soft against the “immorals.” Needless to say, this turn of events inevitably, once again, put the issue of LGBT rights and social standing into the spotlight. Here we go again; the age-long struggle of the oppressed to assert their rights and whatnot. Personally, I find this issue quite tiring already. Once again, refer to my introductory statement.
Yes, I am fully aware of the fact that homosexuals are still being persecuted in several parts of the world. For instance, a persistent hatred for homosexuals still plagues Philippine society. The Philippines, largely a Roman Catholic nation, still maintains their view that homosexuality is a sin and that gays are immoral and must be punished and stuff like that. As a consequence, it is a no-brainer to understand that homosexuals feel obliged to fight back at attempts to demean their very personalities. In a way, the struggle of the gays from social oppression mirrors that of the workers and the feminist movement. And luckily for the proponents of these movements, they are gaining substantial support from the secular community.
Yet, as I have said a while ago, I am tired of such issues. However, let me be specific in saying that I am in no way against the people’s exercise of their rights to be heard. I absolutely have no problems with that. However, I am quite exhausted of witnessing the increasing radicalism in some proponents of the movements. One moment they were fighting for equal social standing, but they seem to be going past the mark they aimed for in the beginning.
I am careful with using the word “some” to impart my thoughts effectively, so that I may not incur unnecessary wrath from concerned parties. However, I must assert the findings of my observations—some proponents of the movements are starting to gain an inflated sense of self-importance. Some of them are not really fighting for equality anymore. Some of them are alluding to notions of social supremacy.
The notion of homosexuality as “sexually progressive,” hypersensitivity to comments aimed at homosexuals, feminists demanding equal rights with exceptions, workers who demean the image of their employers… such things make things hard for me to support their advocacy.
Yes, I am aware that the Church can be despicable for its cold persecution of the homosexual community, while preaching the gospel of love and peace at the same time. Yes, I am aware of prejudiced people who view gays as sub-human, and I am aware that homosexuals do have the right to defend themselves.
I also know that cases of women degradation still persist and that it is rational to condemn them. I also know that poor working conditions and dismal wages make it alright for workers to have their voices heard. However, I cannot say for sure that the aforementioned parties are still fighting for equality.
Why, the notion of LGBT rights, women’s rights and workers’ rights already attest to their subtle (perhaps unconscious) agenda for society to enforce a special set of rights only gays, women and workers have access to. First of all, the law gives us rights. Just rights. No prefixes attached. This is as close to equality as we can get. No special treatment; whether you’re a man, woman, gay, lesbian, transgendered, hermaphrodite… as long as you’re human, you’re governed by the same set of laws and rights.
In my own way, I try to give these sectors the equality they claim to want. I pay no attention to gays. I see them as ordinary human beings. They possess absolutely nothing special. Amongst my peers, gender is no excuse for fun games, teases and pretty much any kind of conversation or activity.
However, I can see discrepancies between how some members of the said sectors claim they want, and how they react when what they want is given to them. Some women demand equality yet complain when they don’t get offered a seat. Some gays complain about people who are squeamish with homosexual intercourse.
For women, plain old equality entails the notion that everyone gets the same treatment, regardless of gender or social standing. Equality with exceptions is not equality. Is equality what women really want?
As a heterosexual male, it is only natural for me to disapprove of gay intercourse. I cannot pretend to promote and support such thing because I honestly find the idea repulsive. However, this is nothing more than a personal preference; like how I dislike Justin Bieber. This does not mean I’m against what gays want to do. I give them the next best thing; apathy. I am not against you, because I do not care. As long as you do not transgress the law, live your life as you see fit. Equality.
As to the workers, I only have this article as my response. We must consider the consequences of our actions, if such actions transgress the rights of others; if, by supporting such a cause, we hurt others in the process. Equality.
Perhaps the best thing these movements can promote is equality before the law, rather than making a fuss over who beats who. Everyone should be governed by the same set of rules and rights; no distinctions, no special treatment. Everyone has no right to immunity from criticism, but should retain the right to defend themselves. But then, perhaps this is the original intention of the movements in question; however, whether this is true or not, the fact remains that some proponents are going astray from the notion of equality and are pursuing something else entirely.
I am not telling the communities to keep mum as homosexuals, women and workers are continuously being exploited and persecuted. Keep asserting your rights—everyone’s rights. What I only want to say is that people should make sure that they are genuinely fighting for what they claim they are fighting for. Otherwise, it might be wise to announce their change of ways, or to abandon the cause altogether.
Drop the hype; as far as civility, equality, and rationality are concerned, we’re all human beings. No one is above the other.
(Note: The contents of this article are taken solely from my own perspective. My views are not necessarily in line with the views of the rest of the GRP community.)
No comments:
Post a Comment