SEXUALITY: Philippines | Miss Gay

Miss Gay 2006

Bohol, Philippines

In a predominantly Catholic and conservative Asian country, the popularity of gay beauty pageants would seem an anomaly. Such is the idiosyncrasy of the Philippines, owing its matriarchal values from precolonial roots and its religious fervence from later Spanish influence. The country's history could explain why some social observers note a general ambivalence towards gays in the Philippines.

Despite open criticism by some right-wing religious groups against homosexuality, the Philippines is hailed by many foreign internet tours as a haven for gays and lesbians. Yet others argue that a western view of "openness and equality" is not analogous to the experience of gays in the Philippines. According to Filipino essayist, J. Neil Garcia, this attitude is based on the country's class based culture where the openly gay "bayot" (visible in many low paying pink collar jobs) are not taken seriously and thus not considered a threat to the social order.