It’s Pride Month, a significant and colorful celebration of one’s uniqueness and championing LGBTQ+ rights. Sadly, the LGBTQ+ community continues to experience prejudice, discrimination, and insults ⁠every day. Some are obvious, but other aggressions go unnoticed or are perceived as totally harmless. There are still countless things that need to be done to make our society a safer place for everyone, and while this can’t be achieved overnight, progress happens through the tiniest steps taken. With that in mind, here are some of the things LGBTQ+ folks often hear and should be put to rest for good. 

“Ay, hindi halatang part ka ng LGBTQ+”

Does someone who identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community need to look a certain way to be recognized as one? For instance, should gays sport rainbow-colored hair or wear Pride tags on their shirts? It’s such a ridiculous statement because there’s no right or wrong way to be queer. 

“Naku, phase lang ‘yan.”

The thing about self-discovery is it’s a lifelong journey. No person woke up one fine day and told themselves, “Okay, I’m queer.” If figuring out who you are is that easy, then maybe we won’t see young LGBTQ+ people today that are struggling with their mental health and self-identity because some keep on trivializing what they feel.

“Sayang, ‘di ka na magkakaro’n ng sariling anak or pamilya.”

PSA: LGBTQ+ folks can still have their own family through adoption or other means there is. However, it’s also important to understand that not everyone wants to be a parent, and that’s okay⁠. At the end of the day, you should be free to live the life you want. 

“Sino sa inyo ang *insert sex position here*?”

The sex lives of LGBTQ+ folks are strictly NONE of your business. Thank you very much.

“So, sino sa inyo ang babae or lalaki sa relationship?”

Since when did LGBTQ+ romantic relationships become some sort of a role-playing game? There’s no male or female ⁠— just two souls who are in love and want the best for each other. Let’s not overcomplicate love and dating.

“I don’t agree sa lifestyle mo.”

Statements like these make you realize that some people are too fixated on others’ lives, which is absurd. People have free will, and whatever path they choose to live is their responsibility, not yours.

“Ano ba ‘yan, ang lambot/macho mo naman masyado.”

Being bothered by a person for not being masculine or feminine enough (whatever that means) is downright embarrassing. Why? Because people possess different personalities and characteristics that make them unique, multi-faceted individuals. Moreover, no one should be vilified for not conforming to society’s standards of how they should act or present themselves.

“Sayang, ang ganda/gwapo mo pa naman kaya lang…”

LGBTQ+ people are still and will always be beautiful, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity. This statement makes it seem like being part of the LGBTQ+ community makes you less of a person. Praises rooted in disrespect are only sugar-coated insults.

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