myGwork stories #10 Philippines - Living Two Lives in Two Countries

Edited by Marru Oanes

Born and bred in the Philippines, I would say that LGBTs here are tolerated but not accepted. I lived almost all of my teenage years trying to be a straight person and only when I was 19, when I decided to go abroad to work, that I became sure of what I really was.

Perhaps I knew all along that I was gay. Only that I found it hard to accept it myself as I imagined what my family’s reaction was going to be. I also did not want to embarrass them because of my sexuality. I remember spending my entire high school life trying to pretend that I was just this normal guy. I even joined a modelling competition in school, with girls screaming my name and asking me to go out with them. For me it was a good way to escape the dark place I imagined that gay people go to once they have come out.

When I started working in Dubai, I felt very positive about my future: new country, new people, a place where no one knew me and no one to judge me. Most of my workmates were very supportive of me coming out, I was the “clown of the class” as you can say and I was at my happiest during my time there. Most of them did not seem to mind how I acted, as long as they knew I did my job well.

However, the UAE is also known for its laws about homosexuality. In this country, death penalty applies for homosexuality. I would hear stories of people being physically abused or even deported back to their countries, because of their sexuality. I had a few colleagues who I knew were gay but were careful to mention it. As we were aware of the possible consequences, we would choose the people we interacted with.

After working in Dubai for a few years, I decided to go back to the Philippines and set-up my own business. This time, I was more open about who I was.

Here in the Philippines, there is still a lot of work to be done for companies to ensure that LGBTs are being treated fairly and justly in the workplace. The rampant abuse – verbal and emotional – that we LGBTs face here is very serious to the point that some LGBTs would think that they should just learn how to tolerate it, as being gay is something that they have chosen.

I believe that LGBTs are the most hardworking people. We do our jobs with passion and we make sure that we do everything perfectly as we feel that we have something to prove to everyone and this is something that we can use for our advantage.

I am looking forward to living in a place where I can wake up and not worry about what label people are going to put on me. Until then, I will be working my hardest to be the best person and entrepreneur that I can be.

Mark Perez works as an IT specialist and has a growing computer business in the Philippines.

______________________________
This article is part of myGwork Stories: a series of articles about being LGBT in the workplace in different countries, cultures and industries.