Aiza Seguerra’s wife Liza Diño reacts to ‘homophobic’ comments

MANILA, Philippines – Actress Liza Diño, wife of Aiza Seguerra, took to social media on Tuesday, January 5, to express her thoughts after Aiza shared that they are planning to undergo in vitro fertlization (IVF) to have a baby.

On her Facebook page, Liza said that every time an issue like IVF is brought up, criticism and homophobic comments always follow. She wrote that in the past, she was hurt by the comments thrown at her after she married Aiza, but has now learned to laugh and be strong about it. 

“Aiza had a press con [Monday] morning for his new show Born To Be a Star, and our plans to undergo IVF soon was mentioned. Lumabas sa Rappler. And every time something like this comes up, naglalabasan ang lahat ng mga homophobic at nagpipiyesta sa mga negative comments, kasama ng mga self-righteous na may mga baong bible quotations. Tao lang ako at oo, binabasa ko ang mga comments nila. Dati umiiyak ako, lalo pag below the belt na ang mga sinasabi – yung tipong ipaparape nila kami o kaya titirahin nila ko para makatikim daw ako ng lalaki – but napansin ko today… hindi na’ko ganon kaapektado. Masakit pa rin yung iba, pero mas natatawa ako sa mga sinasabi nila.”

(Aiza had a press conference this morning for his new show Born to Be a Star, and our plans to undergoe IVF soon was mentioned. It came out on Rappler. And every time something like this comes up, homophobics come out and feast on negative comments, along with the self-righteous who bear Bible quotations. I’m only human and yes, I read their comments. I used to cry, especially when their comments are already below the belt – like they’ll have us raped or have sex with me so I can have a taste of what it’s like to be with a man – but I noticed today… I’m not really affected anymore. Yes, some comments are still hurtful, but I just laugh them off now.)

Liza also said that the situation just made her realize her and Aiza’s role in pushing for the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community in the Philippines.

“January 8 marks our first wedding anniversary dito sa Pilipinas. Maraming nangyari at marami kaming pinagdaanang mag-asawa para sa hangarin naming mamuhay ng normal katulad ng iba. I have evolved and matured as a human being. Mas naging compassionate ako at bukas sa pananaw ng iba. Natuto akong maging assertive kesa maging defensive pagdating sa mga ganitong usapin. But at the same time, mas lalo kong nakita ang kahalagahan ng ginawa namin para kilalanin ang karapatan ng mga LGBT dito sa PIlipinas. Nakakalungkot isipin how ‘religion’ can lead to hatred, animosity, and discrimination, when our spirituality is supposed to enhance our lives and make us better persons.”

(January 8 marks our first wedding anniversary here in the Philippines. So many things have happened and we have gone through so much for our dream to live normally like everyone else. I have evolved and matured as a human being. I became more compassionate and more open to the views of others. But at the same time, I see more the importance of what we’ve done to raise awareness for the rights of LGBTs here in the Philippines. It makes me sad to think about how ‘religion’ can lead to hatred, animosity and discrimination, when our spirituality is supposed to enhance our lives and make us better persons.)

“Tsk tsk. 2016 na. Walang mawawala sa’yo kung rerespetuhin mo ang karapatan ng bawat isa. ‪#‎lovewins‬ ‪#‎respect‬ ‪#‎outandproud‬.”

(It’s already 2016. You won’t lose anything by respecting the rights of other people.)

Aiza came out as a transgender man in August 2014. He and Liza got married in December 2014 in California, and had another wedding in January 2015 in Manila.

What do you think about the issue? Let us know in the comments! – Rappler.com