MANILA — There is more to being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community than just gender or sexuality. Each of them goes through countless struggles just to take up space in this heteronormative world.

This is the message highlighted at TikTok Philippines 'The PRIDE Monologues' event held at Fort Strip, Taguig on Thursday where five social media personalities took centerstage to share their life stories and the lessons they learned as part of the queer community, in celebration of the Pride month.

TikTok Philippines holds first 'The PRIDE Monologues' at Fort Strip, Taguig on Thursday, June 27. Photo by Ched Rick Gatchalian, ABS-CBN News

Social media personalities Dan Laudit, Crishanna Austria, Riyan Portuguez, Tots Carlos, and Warren Daniel Osinaga boldy recalled how their experiences shaped their personalities.

TikTok Philippines' head of community Jules Garcia and community manager Aveneth Alindugan were also present to explain how the platform supports the LGBTQIA+ community by collaborating with various groups and investing on related causes.

'FORDA FERSON' AGAINST UNIMAGINABLE ADVERSITIES

Austria, or better known as "Forda Ferson," rose to fame in 2022 as she dominated the local meme culture and even contributed to the list of latest Filipino Gen Z slangs. But apart from her cheerful facade, she shared a heartbreaking experience that completely changed her life.

"Bata pa lang po ako, I already experienced 'yung pangmomolestya. And I'm sure isa ito sa reasons kung bakit siguro ayaw ko sa lalaki," she confessed.

The trauma made Austria somehow feel distant and awkward towards her male siblings, friends, and even her own father. This was when she also started liking girls and she got into her first lesbian relationship in 2015.

When she revealed her gender online through a profile photo change, she was then put into a situation where she had to explain to her relatives the painful experience that she went through. Only then was her family able to understand her fully.

When everything just seemed peaceful after such acceptance, Austria was devastated by two life-changing events: her mother who was working abroad for over 21 years died due to COVID-19, and her father was also diagnosed to chronic kidney disease. Fortunately, the freedom, as well as the financial boost that she got from content creation, helped her brave the waves.

She is now in a 6-year relationship with a girl she met during her senior high school.

YOURMILLENIALPSYCH: IT'S TIRING TO PROVE YOU'RE NORMAL

Portuguez, who is greatly admired online as "YourMillenialPsych" for her videos about mental health, knew that she was into girls since she was young. She studied Psychology to better understand herself, society, and the peculiarity of being a member of LGBTQIA+ community.

"Sa pag-aaral ng sikolohiya, ilang dekada nang napatunayan na ang pagiging bakla o lesbiyana, ang pagiging bahagi ng LGBTQIA+, ay normal. Ito ay bahagi ng makulay at kumplikadong ganda ng pagiging tao," she stressed.

She also explained how the queer community would be demanded to give something or be someone else, just to be accepted. "Kailangan mong patunayan ang sarili mo bago ka pakinggan. Kailangan mayroon kang pera, kailangan mayroon kang bahay, kailangan mayroon kang kayang gawin bago tanggapin."

But she then told the audience that no matter what your gender is, you deserve to love and be loved. That one has to do nothing just to "deserve" the rights that everyone has.

Despite such perspective, she still suffers from fatigue and overwhelming tiredness from rampant stigma and bigotry. But thanks to her followers who let her know that they could relate and find hope from her words, she always finds a way to come back stronger.

"Ang buhay ng LGBT+ ay hindi lang patungkol sa unicorn, sa rainbow, sa fashion, or kung ano-ano mang kulay na nakikita nating ilaw. Sa likod ng bahaghari, napakalungkot maging bakla o lesbyana. At 'yung conversation dapat natin hindi dapat natatapos dito — outside, dapat nilalabas natin ang mga ito sa bawat bahay natin," she added.

WHAT WAS ONCE 'WEAKNESS' FOR MENTOR

Laudit, known as "Mentor" Dan online, is a gay content creator known for his satirical and entertaining content. But unknown to many, he hated being gay at first.

Growing up, he rejected his own gender due to the patriarchal culture where society considers straight men as stronger, and gays weaker. He tried to have girlfriends from Grade 6 to 11, despite seeing hints that he belongs to the rainbow community.

When he finally came into terms with his sexuality, he then realized how strong gay people are: just like how he helped his family financially through working as a call center agent.

"Tumatak sa akin ang pagiging bakla is a weak mentality. Even until now, I've been seeing a lot of videos na nagiging term ang bakla sa pagiging mahina," he emphasized. "Natakot ako maging bakla. Ayaw kong masabihan ng ibang tao na mahina dahil malakas naman talaga ako."

He also learned how LGBTQIA+ community strives to be close and supportive of their families, despite all the stigma and hardships. And this is where the "true strength" can be found.

HOW VOLEYBALL HELPED TOTS TO KNOW HERSELF MORE

Creamline Cool Smashers' star spiker Carlos has once played for the University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Fighting Maroons in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). But before the glory, she had to struggle as her mother could not accept her sexuality at first.

In her monologue, the athlete narrated how her coming out led to some "consequences". Her family would sometimes confiscate her phone and set curfews for her.

Carlos said she found safe space in UP where she was embraced for who she is.

"I dedicated my life to improve and be better at voleyball... For me, papatunayan ko na magsa-succeed ako. Even though hindi ko kailangan patunayan, I still felt na I needed to do it kasi I wanna prove na 'di dahil sa gender ko, 'di ako magiging successful," she said.

The star spiker shared she is now happy with her current state, and underscored the importance of having a strong support system.

FOR POCA, DISCOVER YOURSELF IN YOUR OWN PACE

Osinaga, the popular content creator "Poca" known for comedic videos, has also gone into the process of identifying his own self.

After trying straight relationships, he realized that he could not fall completely with girls. As he reached college, Osinaga fully accepted that he is gay.

Osinaga noted that though there are people like him who already knew themselves, others should not feel the pressure to automatically figure themselves out.

"Lahat naman tayo may SOGIESC, mapa-straight, mapa-LGBQIA+. Lahat tayo part ng SOGIESC. It's just we really have to know kung ano talaga tayo," he saod.

"You have to discover youself in your own pace. Just because a lot of your friends or you're being surrounded by people who already came out, na alam na nila mga SOGIESC nila... hindi necessarily na you [should know already] too," Osinaga added.

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