Pity pride party

It's the end of June, supposedly pride month.

In the Philippines, there have been a few events commemorating Pride, but nothing mainstream. A few rallies scheduled in cities like Cebu and Davao, and another much more anticipated celebration, the parade in Marikina City, which generated a lot of buzz during its inaugural launch last year.

However, nothing has reared its head to announce the celebration of Pride. Not like New York, where retailers like Gap, Banana Republic, and American Eagle advertised Pride and hawked special merchandise catering to those attending parades (or maybe, just feeling chipper about being part of the great gay community.)

Even international social media was overtaken by pride celebration, with Instagram transforming hashtags like "pride", "queer" and "gay" into rainbow-colored versions. Macy's ran online ads of prancing gay men celebrating in rainbow confetti. No doubt, countless other examples exist in Western cities.

Meanwhile, a debate rages over where this country should be headed, with transgender Representative Geraldine Roman arguing about the institution of marriage. Apparently, Roman has given up on gay marriage, pushing instead for civil partnerships. Her argument is founded on practicality, as she believes the civil partnership bill currently pending in Congress grants "practically the same rights and obligations" as an opposite-sex marriage.

That appeals to me, as a pragmatic person who believes in substance over form. A rose is a rose, even if we call it a tulip. An evil person is evil, no matter if we dress her in high fashion, put her on the cover of Tatler, or elect him as president. You get the drift.

That probably won't appease those who believe in the power of names or labels. I can imagine their argument that naming "it" as marriage is the key. The rest of the world should be convinced because gay people have been recognized by the State as deserving marriage. Otherwise, another insidious form of discrimination could manifest itself, centered around those enjoying marriages and those only having the benefit of a civil partnership.

Roman appeals for "a dose of realism" and "a bit of patience and humility." She stresses she is "a legislator who has to deal with real-life politicians who get turned off by radical, confrontational and intransigent attitudes." She then calls for unity, reminding the constituents of previous gains.

I am not sure if she comes across as a realist or defeatist. Her official statement includes the query "should we fight for something that will never win at this point in time? Or should we lobby for something .... that has more certainty of being passed into law"?

That's a pickle. Legislators have to make delicate compromises and judgment calls. I wouldn't want to be in her stilettos, that's for sure.

It's a pity though, that the end of pride month is nigh, and it is likewise nearly the end of the current term of our representatives. Yet the end isn't in sight for this dream of same-sex marriage. Legislators are starting to turn their sights on re-election, and even Roman's stay in Congress isn't assured. (The rumor is that her brother is coming home from America to run and take up the family-held Congressional seat.)

I don't mean to ruin the party. There's plenty to celebrate, with the wealth of talent, successes, and freedoms enjoyed by the Filipino LGBT community. Even as rain threatens paradegoers in Marikina, the fact that there is a government-sanctioned parade, with little harassment and no fear of persecution, is enough to boost anyone's pink spirits.

Happy Pride, then. And enough of this moping.

‘It is nearly the end of the current term of our representatives. Yet the end isn't in sight for this dream of same-sex marriage’