Don't call us, we'll call you

Aspiring to be a full-time home-based writer was harder than I originally expected. I sent dozens of applications to gazillions of companies (I got my first assignment last night, yay!), but the one that really caught my eye was for an LGBT or GLBT (for the acronym impaired, it stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transsexual/Transgender) start up magazine. As the cycle of all job applications go, I sent a resume and a couple of writing samples. A week passes with no reply whatsoever. I emailed them and asked for an update, something that goes against:

a.) my knowledge of HR recruitment processes (via writing my bestfriend Ayee’s college assignments and thesis). I know that the “don’t call us, we’ll call you” thing is imperative. “We’ll call you” usually means, “We’ll call you if we can’t find somebody more suitable”. So if you don’t want to sound needy or desperate, don’t call.

b.) my inner superiority complex afflicted writer. She was screaming at me: Do not effing call if you have a sliver of pride left, dammit.

So yeah, I followed up and got gob-smacked in the face with:

Yes, I’m planning to meet you and the other writer this coming weekend! His name is Bruce.... In the meantime can you say something about how is it like to be gay in the Phils. -- social and cultural aspect... I wanna see your point of view.

That’s a very good question. It sure beats the usual list your qualities (shame though, I’ve always wanted to add “pleasing personality”), what are your strengths and weaknesses (super strength, etc. and kryptonite, respectively), and what was the toughest decision you had to make in the absence of your boss (eat out or vendo?), among other things. Anyway, I digress.

How do I answer this question? It’s a tough one for me and I don’t know why. (I’m bisexual by the way, in case you missed my post with that conversation with my brother.) It really hasn’t bothered me in a while. By “it,” I mean the strange looks I get when holding a girl’s hand in public (no petting, eww.) or being out on an obvious date with a girl. I understand why some people have that sort of reaction and I don’t feel particularly offended.

I understand that the Philippines, a largely Catholic country, still has reservations on the LGBT community. As kids, we were taught that there were men and women – no mention of women liking other women, men liking other men, or men and women that jump from one liking to the other. It’s ingrained in our collective consciousness and I admit, my battle with that early black and white teachings didn’t stop with my admittance of being bisexual.

That said, I can’t really blame my friends who have been living with spiders and reeking of moth balls in their closets. Sometimes, being tagged “gay” can be exhausting. First, you might be pigeonholed into a minority (though arguably, LGBT’s sheer numbers and cultural influence makes the word minority a bit of misnomer) and might be seen as something from a different caste. Second, you might face some opposition from family and friends. Some might even treat you differently. Third, you might get all sorts of “innocent” questions and might be the butt of some jokes (Let’s face it, we all have a jest or two about being gay). But there is hope. A lot more people are open to the idea of LGBT, and it may be due to our cultural contributions.

In this country, the gay influence is best seen in the entertainment industry, and gay awareness seems to be spread further by gay lingo’s popularity. I mean who doesn’t know chorva, chenes, or keber these days? I think it’s a good thing that more and more people understand and accept the community because the influence doesn’t – and won’t – stop there.

What do you think? Did I answer the question?

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