MANILA, Philippines – In local showbiz, male celebrities who "come out"
as gay men have more "impact" than female personalities who admit to
being lesbian.
In a roundtable discussion among the hosts of entertainment talk show
"Showbiz Inside Report" aired Saturday, host Ogie Diaz opined that the
recent "coming out" of Filipina stage actress Monique Wilson is a matter
of pride for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)
community.
Speaking to fellow hosts Carmina Villaroel, Joey Marquez and Janice
de Belen, the openly gay Diaz added, however, that popular male
personalities who "come out" somehow prove more controversial than
lesbians admitting their sexual preference.
"'Yung pag-amin ni Monique Wilson -- babae tapos inamin niya na siya
ay lesbian -- sa industriya natin, sa showbiz, parang mas may impact o
mas big deal kung 'yung lalaking aktor, umamin na siya ay ganun," Diaz
said.
"’Pag babae kasi parang hindi interesado. Parang, 'Ay, ganun,
umamin?' Pero syempre, pride ng LGBT 'yan si Monique Wilson," he added.
Wilson also shared she has been in a relationship with a woman for over 14 years now.
"Kung nararamdaman talaga nung taong sangkot na kailangan na niyang umamin kasi baka ikamatay niya, eh mas makakaigi 'yun para lumuwag ang kanyang paghinga," Diaz said of admitting one's sexual preference.
Over the years, a number of local celebrities have "come out" -- among them Rustom Padilla, who now identifies as a transsexual named BB Gandanghari; and actress-singer Aiza Seguerra, who has been open of her relationship with other women.
"Iba p arin sa showbiz if it comes straight from the horse's mouth ay maririnig natin," Diaz added. "Basta masaya ka at wala kang sinasaktang kapwa."
