Push Admin

How to be an effective LGBTQIA ally, according to these local personalities

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA -- Education is the key to becoming an effective ally of the LGBTQIA community, according to five local personalities. </p><p>Mikey Bustos, Kristine Ibardolaza, Gaki &quot;Gakimoto&quot; Azurin, Dr. Berry Beriña, and Melai Lopez recently shared their insights in a &quot;Pride Conversations&quot; event organized by Google Philippines.</p><p>Shortly after the program on YouTube, ABS-CBN News asked the five speakers on how people can help them in their fight for equality.</p><p>Here are their answers:</p><div><strong>MIKEY BUSTOS (YouTube star and singer)</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/life/07/07/mikey-bustos_1.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Handout</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>&quot;[Being an effective ally is] to maybe not make assumptions and ask if they&#x27;re not sure, because some people might be saying things that they don&#x27;t even know is offensive, perhaps. Or not even relevant.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Making chismis happens to be a very common Filipino activity. And so I would say being a good ally would be not to engage in chismis or like to sensationalize, [like] the tabloids that say this artista is [gay]... Don&#x27;t hit that RT (retweet button) because you&#x27;re adding to the stigma of it, and that you&#x27;re the reason why a lot of young people don&#x27;t want to come out... A good ally would treat it more like, Okay maybe there are speculations about this artista, but let&#x27;s let them have their own time. As we know, sexuality is a long journey. Maybe he&#x27;s not ready, maybe he doesn&#x27;t know. Let&#x27;s not make it a dinner discussion or when you&#x27;re having your inuman with your friends.&quot; </p><div><strong>KRISTINE IBARDOLAZA (first transgender woman elected into office in Antipolo City)</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/life/07/07/kristine-ibardolaza_1.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Handout</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>&quot;Aside from education, allies should open their hearts to us, the LGBTQ+ community, in order for them to understand and feel what we are feeling.&quot;</p><div><strong>GAKI &quot;GAKIMOTO&quot; AZURIN (motorcycle vlogger and musician)</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/life/07/07/gaki-azurin_1.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Handout</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>&quot;Education is a very effective way of becoming an ally. Even through listening to these conversations and getting to understand, trying to keep an open mind about things, that&#x27;s a good way for people to be allies of the community.&quot;</p><div><strong>DR. BERI BERIÑA (plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery fellow)</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/life/07/07/berry-berina_in-action-as-a-surgeon_2.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Handout</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>&quot;I think it all begins with education and getting yourself informed. Because right now, we still have a lot of Filipinos who are somehow not so much informed about what is SOGIE, and what the differences are when it comes to sex and gender orientation. I think it all begins with information, getting yourself informed. Because it&#x27;s only through that, that you will learn to open your perspective with regards to how these people live their lives and how these people will want to be treated.&quot;</p><div><strong>MELAI LOPEZ (program manager, Google Philippines)</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/life/07/07/melai-lopez_1.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Handout</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>&quot;Education really is key for good allyship. I think a good ally would be proactive in getting themselves educated instead of putting that burden on the community itself to educate them because the LGBTQ+ already has a lot of things to face... A good ally educates.&quot;</p>

<p>ABS-CBN News asked five local LGBTQIA personalities on how people can help them in their fight for equality. </p>

ABS-CBN News asked five local LGBTQIA personalities on how people can help them in their fight for equality.