While the Philippines has been called one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world, many have noted that this “acceptance” is limited and somewhat shallow. In fact, discrimination is alive and well in the Philippines, a problem that was recently put on the spotlight once again by trans singer Jake Zyrus.
In an interview with GMA’s news program 24 Oras on Friday, Zyrus opened up about his experience using public bathrooms in the Philippines.
He said that whenever he approaches a restroom, he gets “the look” from people, which leads him to sometimes use the separate stall for people with disability, just to avoid conflict.
This is unlike his experience in other countries where he said people are more accepting. “I got to London, I go to (sic) everywhere and when I go to the restroom, I can go to the male restrooms,” Zyrus said in Filipino and English.
Zyrus is one of the few trans men in Philippine show business. He gained international prominence as Charice Pempengco after being featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2007 and sang I Will Always Love You and And I Am Telling You.
He also performed on The Oprah Winfrey Show and was on three episodes of the musical TV show Glee.
Zyrus came out as a lesbian in 2013 but in 2014 said in an interview with Oprah Winfrey that his “soul is male.” Last year, he announced that he had changed his name to Jake Zyrus.
While there are plenty of out gay men and trans women in local pop culture, lesbians and trans men are not as accepted. Apart from Zyrus, the only other known trans man in Philippine showbiz is singer Ice Seguerra.
In September last year, the House of Representatives passed the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality bill, which prohibits discrimination on members of the LGBT community. Under the SOGIE, establishments are required to create gender-neutral toilets.
However, its counterpart bill has lagged in the Senate where three senators including conservative Christian Manny Pacquiao and Senate President Tito Sotto oppose it.
Just last week, LGBT rights advocates rallied outside the Senate to ask for an end to the debates.
