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MANILA, Philippines – Bias based on appearance not gender.
Debating on the photos of an Asian-Caucasian gay couple holding hands on a train that went viral on Saturday, April 18, many Filipino netizens suggested the online reaction reflects deep-seated discrimination based on looks. (READ: Gay men holding hands on train bullied online)
Sean Phil, a reader from Canada, was disappointed the photos got controversial, stressing that “beauty is not just about having fair skin, being tall”:
The question is: Is the blonde really ugly to merit the attention of bitter and envious Filipinos? Is this the real reason why this photo went viral? For me he is not. He just looks like any other Asian fellow. Grow up Filipinos. Open your eyes. Get out of the cave, see the world and realize that beauty is not just about having fair skin, being tall, etc. etc. etc. Here in Canada, you can see a Black and Caucasian couple; a Caucasian and Asian couple, a Black and Asian couple, etc.etc. In our airline (Air Canada), you can see a Black stewardess, a 50-year old Stewardess. In our hotels, you can see Front Desk officers of various races and looks.
The controversial couple was identified as Thai creative director and booking agent Naparuj Mond Kaendi and German Thorsten Mid. (READ: Gay men holding hands on train bullied online)
Based on Kaendi’s social media posts, he and his partner have been together for more than two years already.
Social cancer
Meanwhile, other netizens maintained the negative comments thrown at the couple via social media sites constituted bullying.
Another intense online exchange on discrimnination earlier erupted after former Binibining Pilipinas-World Maggie Wilson Consunji revealed in a Facebook post a luxury resort’s practice of serving “yaya (nanny) meals.” (READ: Balesin’s ‘yaya meal’ plain discrimination and ‘Yaya meal’ issue: Overreaction or timely reminder?)
The same sentiments surfaced when a condominium building designated separate evelators for drivers and househelps. (READ: When condo policy bans drivers, maids from ‘normal’ elevators)
How to combat discrimination
Discrimination comes in many forms. An act of discrimination can lead to other forms of prejudice. How do we end hateful comments from spreading?
Many netizens believe it should start with being “happy for others.” (READ: When two boys hold hands)
No one should judge anyone who isn’t doing anything wrong against another person, another comment read.
Responding to the negative comments, gay online personality Sebastian Castro recommended Palanca-winning essayist Shakira Sison’s piece “When two boys hold hands“:
the perfect response to anyone still criticising this cute little couple pic.twitter.com/pTzmFc5EEA
— Sebastian Castro (@Seb_Castro) April 18, 2015
“Each half of that couple, by the simple defiant act of holding the other one’s hand, is choosing to face a hateful world and telling their partner, “I’m with you no matter what they say or do,” Sison said in the article . – Rappler.com
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