Drag queen Pura Luka Vega declared persona non grata in Gensan

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Drag queen Pura Luka Vega declared persona non grata in Gensan

Rhea Manila Santos

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Earlier this month, Filipino drag queen Pura Luka Vega (who uses they/them pronouns) became controversial after a video post of them dressed up as Jesus Christ and performing to a remix of the religious song "Ama Namin" went viral and drew flak online. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) described the performance as blasphemous.

Now, the former Drag Den season 1 alumni received another blow after the 20th Sangguniang Panlungsod of General Santos City released a statement declaring them as persona non grata in a resolution by city councilor Vandyke Congson in the city last July 18.

The resolution condemned Pura (real name Amadeus Fernando Pagente) for their actions which was considered a disrespect to the Catholic faith. During the 40th Session of the 20th Sangguniang Panlungsod, Congson said in his speech, “This video clearly offended the sensibilities of the Christian community. Demeaning the faith of millions of Filipinos and disrespecting a very sacred element of the Catholic Church. May this be a reminder or warning to all... that your government will not tolerate such activity in our beloved city of GenSan.”

After going viral, Pura posted on Twitter explained their side on why they chose to perform that way.

“I understand that people call my performance blasphemous, offensive or regrettable. However, they shouldn’t tell me how I practice my faith or how I do my drag. That performance was not for you to begin with. It is my experience and my expression, of having been denied my rights.”

In an interview with GMA News, the local drag queen also clarified that they meant no disrespect and explained that the song was their way to reconcile their Catholic faith with their being queer. 

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They shared in the interview, “Performing it in public is an embodiment of God's love for all. I just want to create a narrative that despite all of these, Jesus, as the embodiment of God's love for all, does not forget about the oppressed, including the LGBTQIA+ community. “

Being declared persona non grata is described as anyone who is unwelcome. It can also mean a person whose entering or remaining in a certain country is prohibited by that country or the act of being censured for unbecoming conduct. It is a Latin phrase which also means “unwelcome person."

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