Gay rights an underground movement growing slowly across Southeast Asia, and even in Mindanao. Without a doubt, the violence of the political and religious conflict dominates the cultural landscape in the struggle for self-determination and autonomy. Human rights is discussed in terms of battling prejudice and clan-fueled revenge killings (rido), or the rights of the internally displace, or Indigenous Peoples. Civil rights are a legal battlefield between clashing ideological systems, where different groups are fighting to live by religious creed – be it Sharia law or traditional indigenous customs – all over-shadowed by a traditional Catholic majority.
Yet among the youth culture in Mindanao, as well as in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), there are small student groups and NGOs advocating for equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. This all came up when talking to a young man while visiting a barangay in one of the Zones of Peace in Central Mindanao. After a long morning of discussion with community representatives, we had a chance to take a walk around the community. This young man was about nineteen or twenty, a Muslim and a LGU (Local Government Unit, or barangay government) employee. He walked with us cordially, openly telling us about his community – what it was like before, during the wars, and now how the level of trust and rapport has grown amongst Christians and Muslims.
On marriage: “Do you think you’ll get married? Would you marry someone in the community?”
“I’m sorry, Ma’am. I’m a homosexual.”
His reply was very matter of fact. He explained that the barangay captain (i.e. the community mayor) said it was all right as long as he didn’t hurt anyone. His candor was impressive for only spending a few hours with us, but extremely refreshing. Perhaps us being American, this conversation became possible. Or he was openly gay and accepted in his community. I admire his honesty and I seriously hope it is the latter.
Young people in Mindanao are facing so many challenges. There are serious and complex threats to community cohesion, from poverty to religious identity. The question remains how to protect the existing local culture’s peace from a top-down, legislated status quo (like the Bangsamoro Basic Law), even if it is in the name of the peace process. Will equal rights be sacrificed for political cohesion among different ideologies? There is concern for the Islamization the Bangsamoro and its effects on gender norms and social inequality. How can the BBL enact a Moro (Muslim and Indigenous) state of the autonomous region that can still be home to diverse communities?
Activists march for gay rights in Manila December 13, 2014 (Source: Jay Directo/AFP/Getty Images)