REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE: Filipino Culture and Sexual Identities

Sexual Identity Satisfaction

A study entitled Living a Satisfied Sexual Identity: Discovering Wonders and Unveiling Secrets
of Selected Filipino LGB Adults (Hernandes & Bance, 2014) aimed to identify the factors that
contribute to the Filipino LGB sexual identity satisfaction by conducting a qualitative study with
the help of 13 self-identified LGB adults in Metro Manila. In their results, they indicated three
factors which were 1) self-affirmation and acceptance, 2) positive support from family and peers
and 3) personal values and beliefs. The first factor, self-affirmation and acceptance, focused on the
importance of self-reflection and focusing on their personal values in order to remind themselves
who they really are. Focusing on the second factor, the support of family and peers, the study
emphasized on the value of social support and the importance of creating support groups for the
sexual minorities because these factors play an important role in experiencing the feeling of
satisfaction. The last factor, personal values and beliefs, is believed to play an important role for
their individuality and personal worth. These values and beliefs enable LGB individuals to stand-
up for themselves while facing their difficulties and it would eventually lead them to have a
positive self-concept.

According to Being LGBT in Asia: The Philippines Country Report when the Pew Research
Center conducted a survey in 2013, the results indicated that 73% of the Filipino respondents said
that homosexuality should be accepted by the society. LGBT Filipinos were skeptical regarding
the results of the survey, saying that they were only tolerated when they fit stereotypes, such as
having an occupation. Another example of the supposed acceptance stated in the report was the
television soap opera My Husbands Lover, which shows a married man having a male lover
outside of his marriage. The show had been popular but also controversial, especially with the
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and Episcopal Commission on Youth
(ECY).

Another study entitled I was a Tomboy: Labels, Constructions and Understandings of Womens
Sexuality in the Philippines explained its findings regarding the attitudes of Filipinos regarding
same-sex sexual identities. According to the study, the attitudes of the Filipinos are divided into
two: the first one is a modern attitude, which is heavily influenced by the United States; while the
second one is a more conservative and traditional attitude, which is influenced by the Church.

On the one hand, the modern attitude presents that sexual orientation in not that of a huge issue in
the society. It says that if people are attracted to the same sex, the society should just accept them.
Under this attitude, the study found that discrimination towards the same-sex have decreased and
that the Philippine culture is evolving to a more open-minded and modern generation. Included in
this attitude is the effect seen in the mass media, which is seen to hold a great influence in shaping
the Filipino culture. Another example given is the influential television actor, Vice Ganda, who is
well-known to be gay or bakla; the fact that he is the host of the noontime show Its Showtime,
as well as the segment of the said variety show Thats my Tomboy, is a proof that the society is
already accepting regarding the different sexual orientations. Aside from this, there are also
Filipino singers who have admitted and adopted the tomboy appearances such as Aiza Seguerra
and Charice Pengpengco.

The conservative attitude, on the other hand, is heavily influenced by the Catholic Church, and
thus, is focused more on what is morally correct and what should be accepted by the society.
The beliefs taught by the church is able to serve as a guide to individuals and have a specific view
in life. The common example used is the definition of family where in it should be made up of a
man and a womanwho were made for one another for the purpose of procreation. This then
means that same-sex couples are not included in the norm of the said religion. Along with this
view is the consideration that an individual is also influenced by the views of their own family,
given the fact that Filipinos are generally considered family-orientedthus, a familys religion
greatly affects an individuals attitude towards sexuality.