Can do!

From Alexander the Great to Leonardo daVinci, Sandra Bernhard to Harvey Fierstein, Boy Abunda to Rajo Laurel- there are more successful gay people than there are stars in the sky. Alexander was once ruler of a vast empire and DaVinci was arguably the most influential artist during the Renaissance.

Whether it is politics, show business, sports, art, architecture, the academe, law, or medicine there hasn’t been any territory gay people haven’t conquered. I can mention a few role models that have personally made an impact on me.

I first met Sir Honrado Fernandez when I was a freshman at the College of Architecture in UP Diliman. He was the Dean of College at that time, and quite a dynamic one at that. He was more than an Architect. He was an artist, a sculptor, and a mentor. He was an inspiration to everyone- students and faculty alike; he was also a cheerful person who could make people smile with his quips. He passed away a couple of years ago, but remains an icon at the College to this day.

My friend BC (sorry, he wants to remain discreet) is a lawyer and is also from UP. He was always ready with an answer every time I had legal questions- mostly about office policies and labor questions (I didn’t commit murder or anything!). When you are young and stupid (like I was) you certainly need to look up to someone and he was the guy I wanted to be. Thankfully, that didn’t happen. LOL! I simply grew up to be a much wiser version of me.

My cousin C (another closeted gay man) has always been a family man. He didn’t have a wife or children of his own but he did put his mother and his siblings first. I admire him because he is an upright person, though not exceedingly brilliant, he has succeeded in improving their lives. C was once a working student in the 80’s (their family could not afford to send him to College), he managed to finish and get a respectable job in a bank. Hats off to you!

Perhaps majority still think gay men belong in beauty parlors (no offense to those who work in one). People need to stop stereotyping- people in the LGBT (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual) community are just as talented, smart, and innovative as the next straight person.

Our humanity precedes sexuality- in the womb, before you get washed with Testosterone or Estrogen, first you are a human embryo. Human, therefore worthy of respect. Moreover, our sexuality does not encompass who we are- just a part of it. We are sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, good friends, citizens of this country, churchgoers, and professionals.

Yes people, we can become productive and relevant members of society.