Bakla Ako, May Reklamo?

Image via Wikipedia

At some point in my life, I contemplated on going to either Singapore or Dubai for employment.  I never really pursued that because of so many different reasons.  The primary reason was that I never really wanted to leave the Philippines and seek employment somewhere else. I mean, sure, you earn a lot of money somewhere else and experience living an independent life in a foreign country, but I wasn’t ready for that. Besides, I knew that I was in a good place — emplyment-wise.

Another reason was that I have read news about how difficult it is to be gay in a place like Dubai. I’ve read some things about the state of homosexuality there, and I kind of hesitated, too.  How will I then maintain a gay blog if that was the case right?

I’m sure that there’s more to it than meets the eye.  I think one has to experience living there to really feel and know what it’s like to be gay in Dubai. We have some kababayans who are there and I’m just wondering how their lives are.

Anyway, for our kababayans there, and our friends here who have friends in Dubai, let me just share the recent news from Dubai.

Last July 7, Alarabiya.net reported¹ that Dubai police launched a morality campaign after a British couple were arrested for having sex on a Dubai Beach. The campaign also resulted in the formation of an undercover unit to “combat homosexual and indecent activity on the emirates’ public beaches.”

An unnamed official at Dubai Police’s Criminal Investigation Department told UAE daily Al-Emarat al-Youm that police officers in civilian clothing are patrolling local beaches after complaints from the public of indecent behavior, especially at night time. He encouraged the public to report any activity they find offensive.

According to Dubai government statistics, out of 2.97 million beach visitors last year, 641 people were caught engaging in indecent acts. There were also seven cases of alcohol consumption, five cases of alcohol possession, and five attempted robberies.

Recently, about several foreign men were detained for allegedly being gay or openly wearing women’s clothing in public².

Police in the Gulf tourist hub of Dubai say they’ve detained 17 foreign men for allegedly being gay and wearing women’s clothing in malls and other public places.

Police spokesman Zuhair Horoun says the men were either visiting or working in Dubai. He says they were detained Wednesday but would not elaborate.

I may not want to work in Dubai, but I still want to visit it.  Heck, it is my dream to stay at the Burj Al-Arab Hotel!

*note: This entry is not meant to  scare anyone in Dubai nor is it meant to prevent anyone from going to Dubai.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Dubai Detains Foreigners on ‘Gay’ Charges
• Brit Sorry For ‘Beach Sex’ Arrest
• 17 ‘cross-dressing tourists’ held in Dubai
• Extra patrols in Dubai after Britons accused of sex on the beach

Image via Wikipedia

The weekend that has just passed was a big event for many gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders as the whole world commemorated the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City on June 28 1969.

Here in the Philippines, Gay Pride Parties were organized in Malate and Makati (some said that street parties and festivities were not allowed in the city of Manila).

Pride festivities were also held at the University of the Philippines in Diliman on June 27.  That was followed by an LGBT Forum and a cultural night. Photos from the forum from our transgender friend Pau Fontanos here.

We all know that gay men, Filipino gay men to be more specific and nationalistic, are very talented individuals — in whatever field they are and wherever they are.  Proof of that is our local gay pride festivities and the participation of our gay (and lesbian, bisexual, transgender) friends who are far away from the Philippines. We give kudos to these men and women for their courage, passion, and pride in bearing the Filipino gay flag all over the world!

Danton Remoto also has some nice words and a few stories to share about Pink Power here.

In Toronto, Canada, Filipino members of the gay community represented the country in colorful and beautiful ternos.  Check out the photos at Adobo Republic!

In the United States, the Filipino contingent wowed audiences with their exceptional performance during the march in Chicago, Illinois.  It was the first time in the history of Chicago’s Gay Pride Festivities that there was a separate Filipino contingent. The Filipino contingent made their first mark a glamorous one in the 39-year history of Chicago’s Gay Pride by winning the Best Organization Float award! (Read more about it and view photos on Ted Regencia Reports).

Curious as to what the gay Pinoys did during the festivities? Watch this video by Ted Regencia:

Read the rest of this entry »