In an effort to combat homophobia, transphobia, and the prevailing myths and misconceptions on same-sex or other forms of gender-nonconforming loving relationships in the Philippines, Outrage Magazine has launched #LoveisLovePH, a social media initiative to tell the love stories of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) Filipinos.
Outrage Magazine is inviting everyone interested to post photos, messages and videos on Twitter or Facebook with the unified hashtag #LoveisLovePH. These will be then featured in the Facebook and Twitter pages and official website of the only publication for the LGBTQ community in the Philippines. Selections will also be published in Outrage Magazine’s “Love Affairs” section.
“Our relationships also need to come out. May it be with your boyfriend/girlfriend, your transgender bestfriend, gay son/lesbian daughter, bisexual cousin, queer drinking buddy, lesbian aunt/gay uncle, gay/lesbian workmate… relationships with LGBTQ people matter,” said John Ryan N. Mendoza, Outrage Magazine‘s managing editor. “And we should show how our love is no different from everyone else’s. Every proud kiss, embrace, holding of hand or akbay is a simple but powerful message of love against those who continue to hate us.”
With #LoveisLovePH, Outrage Magazine is to shed light on the realities of the relationships of LGBTQ couples, families, and as well as the heterosexual allies who love them.
“LGBTQ relationships can be as traditionally monogamous or open-mindedly multi-amorous as heterosexual relationships. Children raised by two fathers or two mothers are reared no differently as those of heterosexual couples. In all its essence, it is all the same love,” Mendoza added.
Featured stories and other contributed media in #LoveisLovePH is aimed to become a collective resource of the realities of the enduring love in LGBTQ relationships and families amid the persisting challenge of stigma and discrimination in the Philippines.