Adel Tamano is the dashing, eloquent spokesman for the Genuine Opposition. I am quite apolitical, so I really did not know Adel until this morning, when I heard him being interviewed at Mo Twister’s radio show. Callers were ringing the radio station’s show just to say how good looking this lawyer was. And his bubbly persona just made me all the more interested. So I googled him, read him (yes he has a blog, a group blog), and cannot help but be impressed. Here I post an excerpt from his interview with PinoyCentric where he talks about his experience of discrimination as a Muslim Filipino. As I was reading it, I found a strangely familiar tone. I would say a lot of our gay brothers who are naturally masculine (non-effems) would so relate to the discrimination Adel describes. Read on.
PinoyCentric: Were you conscious of your being Muslim as you were growing up?
Adel Tamano: The discrimination—yes. We were practicing Muslims. Up to now I still am, although I am married to a Christian.
Ang discriminations sa akin is strange. This is how it works for me: Most people don’t think I’m a Muslim because they have a stereotype of what a Muslim sounds or looks like. So [then I am able to] enter social groups and I hear people say certain things. For example, may nakidnap ang Abu Sayaff. They’d say, “Grabe talaga ang mga Muslim na to.” Or “Okay sana sa Mindanao, marami lang Muslim.”
These things slip out and then my friends or associates would [realize that I’m there,] and they’d say, “Ay, sorry pala.” So the discrimination is still there.
There are many types of discrimination, and one of them is stereotyping, which is basically judging people not on the basis of who they are but of what group or tribe or religion they represent. So my experience with discrimination is ironic in the sense na hindi ako dini-discriminate.
For example, there are guys who are obviously Muslim. These are the ones who have the long beard and white clothes and they have a thing on their head. It’s so hard for them to get a taxicab. Or like the women wearing the hijab; it’s also hard for them to get a ride. But ako, it’s easy for me because I look “normal,” I guess, or nonstereotypical Moro. But since I’m a Moro, mas masakit sa akin na nakikita ko yun.
My experience with discrimination has made me very sensitive, because I see both sides. Yung stereotypical na Moro, di niya nae-experience yun. Ang nae-experience niya ay di niya nakukuha ang taxi. The resentment or the anger that he feels is different from me, who is a Muslim but is treated better.
Discrimination is real. It’s not something that’s a figment or a perception, but I see it firsthand because I see both sides. You get into these secret places where people are able to show you how they really feel.
So, those who consider themselves “straight-acting” or the naturally masculine gay guys — what do you say? Can you relate?
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This thing has 14 Comments
Adel Tamano - Straight acting gay guys
typical muslim guy - effems
Isang masaklap na katotohanan para sa atin.
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kahit straight acting ka, malakas talaga ang tama kapag nadidiscriminate mga kauri mo, ako dati, sobrang pamhin, pag narinig ko ang word na bakla, or similar expressions, basta na lang namumula ang tenga ko, parang gusto kong sumabog at sapakin ang mga taong walang habas manlait ng mga bading…
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here’s the question, though: if straight-acting gay guys = Adel Tamano, do they also “see” both sides? I guess that’s the challenge, right? Because I’ve seen straight-acting gay guys who stereotype and discriminate against effems. *shrugs*
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tama…although straight acting guys are somewhat less prone to discrimination, i dont think lahat nakikita ang “both sides”. Mejo may iba ring sumasabay sa panlalait…hehehe..mejo hindi pala clear yung unang post ko!! haha..peace out!
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do you have an excerpt of his interview with MO Twister?
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2 years ago i remember my bestfriend tellin me “no you’re not gay” and i kept insistin that i feel different; im not how a typical straight guy should be. but my friend kept on insistin that im not, that maybe im just confused. my friend didnt say anythin negative about gays but her reactions, the way she was setting my mind that im not gay made me feel so small, it still sometimes does till now because of the thought that if my own bestfriend couldn’t accept me for bein gay then what do i expect from other people.
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it is also ironic because in many muslim countries, homosexual acts are punishable by imprisonment, even death in some muslim coutries. by the same token, many filipino catholics (including gays) are ignorant and phobic of their muslim countrymen. so, it is hate and ignorance all around. in time, with more interactions between catholics and muslims, more understanding and commonalities can be istablished. with regard to homophobia, if the vast majority of fhe “straight-acting” gays remain in the closet, perceptions and attitudes from the rest of the population will never change. for as long as the only visible examples of gays are the stereotypical ones, discriminatory practices will continue. don’t get me wrong, i think the effeminate gays have to be commended for remaining true to themselves but society will never see the diversity in the gay community if most are not willing to be known, and in effect no change can happen.
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and speaking of change (or revolution if you will), come november, watch Gus Van Sant’s brilliant new movie, “MILK”. it is based on a true story (of Harvey Milk - the first elected gay politician of san francisco). brilliant acting from a-list actors (Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch, James Franco). watch it and be inspired.
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For me discrimination is the end result of word-of-mouth. If you hear people say that you are from this school where the place is known for student hookers…you’re one of ‘em. If they say Malate is the place where gay people hang out…forget about padis and starbucks where some straight people hang out…When you go to Malate you’re gay. A group of muslim ganged up on your friend and tells you the story…before you know it…you are scared of even sharing an elevator with a person who has a pair of dark eyes and skin tone and you will pass it on to someone else giving them the same notion. You went to tutuban and a chinese business man wont give you discount because they say its the last price, you tell your sister and a week later she dumps her chinese lover thinking how tightfisted the guy will be if they start dating.
Discrimination comes in different forms. Culture, sexual orientation or phobia. It is not something new though for our entire existence we are used to hearing our folks and teachers tell us to accept people for who they are no matter what. But the in reality on our own little way each of us participates in the vicious cycle of discrimination.
The important thing is we try our best not to be prejudge and keep in mind that even if a we have diffrent rituals belief and lifestyle, we are all equal and the only thing that divides us is our uniqueness as an individual. She may be studying in this school full of hookers but that does not automatically make her one, she may be a scholar or wears too much make up because she wants to be noticed, A group of muslim may have ganged up on your friend, but that does not make muslim people violent, they may have been offended by what your friend said and decided to fight back to prove a point but in the end their muslim friends and family would tell them that what they did is wrong. A chinese business man may have refused to give you discount, because ,like what other people is doing, they are just making a living and that does not make the chinese guy who’s courting you a tightwad, relationship for some people is different from business. Point is lets learn to give benefit of the doubt. We live on the same ground, breath the same air and a large number of our population would always hope for world peace.
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i’m straight-acting and when I hear people, guys and women, discriminate those who are effem, i don’t feel bad or affected for them. it’s their opinion about other people. by doing that, they open themselves to criticism as well. so they should be prepared. a gay guy has swords for tongues. rather than be furious with bigots, what i do is make fun of them din. either i find something funny in their clothes, face, or something. like what they taught us, if someone throws a stone at you, throw a boulder at them. quid pro quo lang. para quits. haha.
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I still adore Adel and i can say your really good because you research a lot about him.
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hihi..
kababayan ko yan!!
xa ang pride ng mga mranao!
hes soo cute..
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homophobia is so old. it’s wrinkled!
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Oooh…Kaya naman love namin ‘tong president na ito..
Ibang iba talaga sa predecessor niya..
I must admit, nawalan na ako ng faith sa mga politicians natin, pero Sir Adel is a living example of the promising leader na pwedeng pagkatiwalaan..
Ay-ayay, naging political bigla ang dating, sorry bout that.
Pero tama siya, these days, people aren’t just using their brains. They just rely on ideas na hiniram lang nila sa public knowledge. Like stereotypes. Kaya tuloy share-share din tayo sa ibang mga kabulukan.
Anyway, nice new layout. Kea lang, medyo nakakalito pa rin siya ngayon..
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