This is part of #KaraniwangLGBTQIA, which Outrage Magazine officially launched on July 26, 2015 to offer vignettes of LGBT people/living, particularly in the Philippines, to give so-called “everyday people” – in this case, the common LGBTQIA people – that chance to share their stories.
As Outrage Magazine editor Michael David C. Tan says: “All our stories are valid – not just the stories of the ‘big shots’. And it’s high time we start telling all our stories.”
Born in Bicol, Brother Noel Blanco of the Inclusive Church of the Philippines (ICP) grew up in Taguig, and is now based in Dasmariñas in Cavite. “I was still young and I already knew I’m gay,” he said in the vernacular, “since I was never attracted to women. I felt giddy when I see men.”
Noel’s family could not accept him, and he attributed this to their religious beliefs – e.g. that being part of the LGBTQIA community is wrong. “When I go home, we don’t tackle this. But they treat me differently,” said the youngest of three kids.
The intolerance affected Noel initially, particularly since he was an active member of their church, too. “I was in the choral group of El Shaddai. I used to dance (in their events).”
Noel – a high school graduate – changed when he became financially independent, when he got a regular job in Metro Manila. “That’s when I decided to leave home, to leave the church.”
A change happened within Noel, too. “In the past, I thought that as a gay guy, I am not normal. I used to think that just because I am gay, then I have an illness. But I don’t think that way anymore.”
At around that time, Noel also discovered ICP, an LGBTQIA welcoming and affirming church.
This was also where he met his partner now.
“I had numerous partners; I can’t count them with my fingers anymore. But I promised God that if I get a partner, I’d be with him until the end. And thank God He gave me my partner now,” said Noel who is in a 15-year-old relationship now.
For Noel, LGBTQIA people are now more liberated. But if he can teach others anything, it’s self-love. “Love yourself. Look after yourself. Don’t entrust yourself to others. No one will love you first but yourself.”
And to parents who still refuse to accept their LGBTQIA children, Noel said: “Thank God they became your children. Who knows, one day, they will aid you, and maybe they will take you out of poverty.” – WITH ARTHUR Abad NWABIA