LGBTQI community seems to be accepted by our society. They have been portrayed in different ways. Topics in literature, sculpture, movies, etc. denote the social impact of the gender preference. One thing is for sure LGBTQI is becoming a trend for Filipino mainstream and independent films theme. Philippines has its distinction with LGBTQI-themed movies.
Greeks male scholars in ancient world formulated the standard of beauty. As it heavily influenced social norms, the world was enchanted with the idea and brought this as basis for vanity. It was also the Greeks that gave us preference on male beauty imperfections which associated with metrosexual. There's a notion during ancient times that brotherly love between two male Greeks, not in blood relations or kin, led to the term homosexuality.
Philippines adapted a conservative ideology based on machismo and patriarchal system. It affected the way a man should think and stand up for himself. Every man in the pre-colonial and colonial period avoided effeminate gestures, dubious tone of voice and awkward emotions on his male companion.
The Annual Academy Motion Pictures of Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) or Oscars first Best Picture was Wings in 1927. The finale scene in the movie had homosexual subtext when a male soldier kissed goodbye to his companion. Hollywood luminaries such as Marlene Dietrich, Katharine Hepburn, Rock Hudson, Anthony Perkins, Montgomery Clift and James Dean revealed their sexual ambiguity that added to their glitz and glamor.
Catholic Legion of Decency of Hollywood during one of its golden years served as gatekeepers in presenting themes, stories and plots in movies. Certain scenes in movies like A Streetcar named Desire, Rope and Red River were removed because of the indication of homoeroticism. As time went by, mainstream cinema with LGBTQI themes were accepted not only in Hollywood but as well as foreign countries.
Philippine Cinema depicted gay characters on its early years as stereotypes as funny, flamboyant and cross dressing as sign of their gender preference. Filmmakers were aware that gay characters must be developed in more serious portrayals.
Dolphy was one of the few fearless actors who played gay in Philippine Cinema. Some of his remarkable roles were the following: flamboyant "Pacifica Falaypay", responsible gay fatherly figure in "Ang Tatay kong Nanay" and World War II witness "Markova: Comfort Gay".
Actors were not comfortable accepting offers of LGBTQI roles. The emergence of Independent Cinema in the Philippines helped to change the minds of many actors. They learned to appreciate the contribution of LGBTQI roles in our society. With the guidance of filmmakers, actors were more challenged receiving LGBTQI roles.
LGBTQI movies presented male and female in different perspectives. LGBTQI can be our relatives, friends, neighbors, workmates, classmates or acquaintances. LGBTQI features depicted LGBTQI lifestyle and contribution in various stories, plots, dimensions and approaches. Future LGBTQI films must show the psyche and morale on audience mind so that every individual would discover the significance of LGBTQI in our society as few LGBTQI features shown. Filmmakers must also be responsible creating LGBTQI movies vividly.
