Transgender is a term that has emerged fairly recently and is used to describe ANYBODY who feels their gender identity and expression is different to that which was assigned to them at birth (based only on the viewing of their genitalia). A transgender may be a woman or a man, and like any woman or man, they can be heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual. Their sexuality is not their gender.

To clarify and emphasize this point, gender is who we are – it is ourselves, our person. Gender is not our body, not genitals, not our clothes, not even our names, not our hormones and not our sexual preference.

A new-born who is pronounced male by the doctor or midwife may not necessarily identify as male when that child grows up. This person must have every right to choose to live his/her life the way s/he needs it to be lived. This person who was born male may live her life as a woman. Because she expresses and identifies as a woman, then she is a woman.

One’s gender has nothing to do with the absence or presence of a specific genitalia. Gender must not be imposed on us. Who then has the right to determine the gender of a person? Is it the church? Is it the doctor who inspects the baby’s genitalia upon birth? Is it the psychiatrist? Surely, it is only that person because only s/he alone possesses and has innate knowledge of his/her self.

Furthermore, a person need not make any change in order to be the gender they are. Feeling is being. No genital or cosmetic surgery, hormone replacement therapy, nor any other intervention is a pre-requisite to being oneself. A man is a man and a woman is a woman not because of their genitals. We are not walking penises and vaginas. We are living beings who happen to have a certain kind of genitalia. Surely, we do not want to reduce ourselves to mere organs. Our being is a determinant of who we are, not what’s between our legs.

Man or woman. Hetero-, homo-, bi- or pansexual. These are only words and words are only inventions. Sometimes, words are ambiguous. Sometimes, their meanings changes over time. Sometimes, new words are invented as our knowledge and understanding evolves over time. It is not surprising then when sometimes writers publish a piece that contains inaccurate and misunderstood use of certain words. Words, which in this case, are crucial to the understanding and description of other people. Words that can confuse, harass, demean and disrespect people. Hence, a writer must take it upon themselves to be vigilant in ensuring their thorough understanding of all words before going to print.

“The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don’t know anything about.” – Wayne Dyer

What i know is that this entry is pure simple as blogging coz of the blog event attended.

There had been no problem in the acceptance of gays in the Philippines. The gay people there can walk freely in the streets without the fear of being mauled by homophobes.

They can participate in the santacruzan wearing the most daring gowns.

try doing that here in the US when there is no approved and secured gay parade, it will be a riot.

indeed, “The highest form of ignorance is when you talk about something you don’t know except from just one blog event. ” -The Ca t

“The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don’t know anything about.” – Wayne Dyer

What I’m suspicious of is when they take up “causes” because it gives they mileage to be seen as goody-goody.

I agree with you madonna, like people who took advantage of the death of francis m. to promote their concerts. like celebrities who cleaned their clothes wrack as an act of charity.

Ako din happy for BB, or whatever people want to be, as long as they are not hurting other people.

i do not care if he likes to live the way he chooses as long as he does not pretend to be someone who can be a role model to the youth.

Cat, who are you to judge someone? :) Just saying. I love my gays—whether they’re flashy or demure. I respect my friends’ diverse personalities.

am i judging bebe because he’s gay? you never know me. when a fellow blogger confessed that he is gay, i was the first to defend him in the blogosphere.

read my lips. it is the hype created by bloggers about bebe as if he is some sort of an advocate when he is just simple celebrity trying to reinvent his showiz career which i am not comfortable with.
it is a wrong idea that gays express themselves by cross dressing.

if this is the true, he’s late. our parloristas have been doing that long time i can remember. so were the impersonators in the carnival.

that is the reason why the esteemed fashion designers and artists in the country chose to be different from these groups of people.

Honestly I don’t know of course and really almost don’t care. But I don’t want Filipino Voices becoming a laughing stock again, as in the golf fiasco.

So next time you see the Preciousss lil bebe, would you please check to see if he had the operation he claims to have had?

The C_at,

I think, BB formerly Rustom Padilla as an entertainer would like to revive his/her career tama ka — e yon ikinabubuhay nya eh. So siempre, publicity will always be vehicle of entertainers.

What I’m suspicious of is when they take up “causes” because it gives they mileage to be seen as goody-goody. But then again, there benefit of the doubt should always be given, entertainer or not.