Why can't we have a gay president? | Boy Abunda | TEDxADMU

Summary

In this powerful TEDx talk, Boy Abunda challenges societal norms and prejudices by questioning why a gay president is not a reality. He dismantles stereotypes and misconceptions about the LGBT community, highlighting their contributions and capabilities. Abunda draws parallels with historical movements for equality, urging society to embrace the possibility of a gay president, arguing that the presidency should be a birthright for all, regardless of sexual orientation.

Takeaways

• 🏳️‍🌈 The speaker, Boy Abunda, identifies as a proud gay man and discusses the challenges faced by the LGBT community in the pursuit of equality and acceptance.
• 🏠 Boy Abunda shares his childhood experiences in Barranca, highlighting the struggles with bullying and societal expectations that shaped his youth.
• 🤔 He poses the central question of the speech: 'Why can't we have a gay president?', challenging the audience to consider the prejudices and stereotypes that might prevent this possibility.
• 💬 Boy Abunda recounts various reactions to his provocative question, illustrating the range of misconceptions and biases that exist about the LGBT community, such as the notions of cowardice, being 'half men and half women,' and being a disease.
• 🙅‍♂️ He refutes these stereotypes by providing examples of LGBT individuals who have made significant contributions to society, like Alan Turing, and by emphasizing the bravery shown during events like the Stonewall Riots.
• 🌐 He points out that homosexuality has been removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, emphasizing that being gay is not a disease.
• 🌈 Abunda argues against the idea that promiscuity is exclusive to the gay community, stating that it is a human characteristic and not a 'gay monopoly.'
• 🙏 He shares personal anecdotes, including his mother's acceptance and love for him, to counter the belief that homosexuality is a curse or sin.
• 📜 He references legal rulings and historical precedents, such as the election of Barack Obama, to argue that the presidency should be accessible to all citizens regardless of their sexual orientation.
• 🌟 Boy Abunda outlines the qualities of a great president, as described by Karl Rove, and emphasizes that these qualities are not contingent upon one's sexual orientation.
• 💡 The speaker imagines what a gay president might do, using humor to suggest appointments and policies that would challenge existing norms and promote inclusivity.
• 📣 In conclusion, Boy Abunda reframes his question to assert that not only can we have a gay president, but we must and will, as it is a matter of human rights and equality.

Q & A

Who is Boy Abunda and what is his stance on identifying as an LGBT activist?

Boy Abunda is a proud gay man who does not identify as an LGBT activist or advocate, as he feels he may not live up to the expectations of such a label, but he is one with his community in the fight against oppression, bigotry, discrimination, and for equality.

Where was Boy Abunda born and raised?

Boy Abunda was born and raised in a small town called Barranca, in eastern Samar, which is now a small city.

What was Boy Abunda's childhood like according to the script?

Boy Abunda had a happy childhood, which he describes as not perfect but wonderful.

What societal expectations did Boy Abunda face as a young boy?

As a young boy, Boy Abunda was told to be a good boy, love Lana, his country the Philippines, and honor God above all. He was also expected to play basketball and like young normal girls, which he found challenging.

What was the significance of Royal Street in Boy Abunda's life?

Royal Street was a place of fear and bullying for Boy Abunda during his youth, where he faced discrimination and had to defend his sexuality.

Why does Boy Abunda question the possibility of having a gay president?

Boy Abunda questions the possibility of having a gay president to challenge societal prejudices and to provoke thought and discussion on the topic.

What misconceptions about the LGBT community does Boy Abunda address in the script?

Boy Abunda addresses misconceptions such as the belief that LGBT individuals are cowards, half-men/half-women, trapped in the wrong body, a disease, promiscuous, cursed, sinful, and lower than animals.

What historical movements does Boy Abunda reference to support his argument for a gay president?

Boy Abunda references the black slavery movement, the civil rights movement, the women's liberation movement, and the women's suffrage movement to illustrate progress and the potential for change.

What traits of a great president does Karl Rove's discourse mention, according to the script?

According to Karl Rove's discourse mentioned in the script, the traits of a great president include clarity of vision, consistency of purpose, emotional intelligence, a healthy respect for public opinion, and having a great team.

How does Boy Abunda envision a gay president leading the country?

Boy Abunda envisions a gay president nurturing and strengthening the Filipino family, being a servant leader, subscribing to the concept of politics being the art of the impossible, prioritizing the FOI and anti-discrimination bills, and not being afraid to be a great president.

What conclusion does Boy Abunda reach about the possibility of having a gay president?

Boy Abunda concludes that we can have a gay president, as it is the birthright of every individual, including those in the LGBT community, to aspire to the presidency.

Outlines

00:00

🏳️‍🌈 Identity and Struggle for Equality

In this paragraph, Boy Abunda, a proud gay man from Barranca, shares his childhood experiences and the societal expectations placed on him. He discusses the challenges of being different in a small town, including bullying and the pressure to conform to traditional gender roles. He also poses a provocative question about the possibility of having a gay president, exploring various misconceptions and prejudices people hold about the LGBT community, such as stereotypes about cowardice and promiscuity. He counters these with examples of LGBT individuals who have made significant contributions to society and emphasizes that courage and capability are not exclusive to any sexual orientation.

05:00

🌍 Challenging Prejudices and the Quest for a Gay President

This paragraph delves deeper into the question of whether a gay individual can become a president. Boy Abunda refutes common myths about homosexuality, such as it being a disease or a curse, by referencing historical and medical facts. He highlights the progress made by other marginalized groups, like women and black people, who have overcome societal barriers to achieve leadership positions. He emphasizes that the Constitution does not discriminate based on sexual orientation and calls for a new age of enlightenment where prejudice and discrimination are challenged, and where the possibility of a gay president is not just a question but a potential reality.

10:04

🌈 Visions of a Gay Presidency and the Qualities of a Great Leader

In this section, Boy Abunda imagines what a gay president might do, using humor to suggest appointments that would challenge societal norms and promote integrity. He then discusses the qualities that make a great president, as outlined by Karl Rove, and argues that these traits are not exclusive to any particular sexual orientation. Abunda suggests that the LGBT community has many leaders who embody these qualities and are capable of leading the nation. He concludes by rephrasing his initial question, asserting that the presidency is a birthright for all, including members of the LGBT community.

15:05

💪 The Birthright to Presidency and the Call for Progress

The final paragraph reinforces the message that the possibility of a gay president is not just a theoretical question but a real potentiality. Boy Abunda emphasizes that the presidency is a right for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation. He calls for a recognition of the leadership potential within the LGBT community and a move towards a future where such a presidency is not only imaginable but achievable. He ends with a powerful statement of clarity and conviction, thanking the audience for their attention and support.

Keywords

💡LGBT

LGBT stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender. It is an acronym that represents a community of individuals whose sexual orientation or gender identity differs from the heteronormative majority. In the video, the speaker identifies as a proud gay man, emphasizing the importance of acceptance and equality within the LGBT community, and challenges societal prejudices by questioning why a member of this community cannot hold the position of a president.

💡Discrimination

Discrimination refers to the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, sex, or disability. In the script, the speaker recounts personal experiences of being discriminated against due to his sexual orientation, highlighting the theme of the video which is a call for an end to such prejudice and a more inclusive society.

💡Activist

An activist is a person who campaigns to bring about political or social change. The speaker clarifies that he does not identify as an LGBT activist, but rather as an individual who is part of the community and is fighting against oppression and for equality, which is central to the video's message of advocating for equal rights and opportunities.

💡Bigotry

Bigotry is the state of being stubbornly intolerant of opinions that differ from one's own. The video discusses the bigotry faced by the LGBT community, with the speaker challenging the audience to reconsider their prejudices and to embrace diversity and acceptance.

💡Equality

Equality is the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities. The video's central theme revolves around the pursuit of equality for the LGBT community, as the speaker argues against the societal barriers that prevent equal opportunities, such as the possibility of a gay president.

💡Oppression

Oppression is the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner. The speaker mentions the fight against oppression as part of the broader struggle for LGBT rights, illustrating the historical and ongoing challenges faced by the community.

💡Stereotype

A stereotype is a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing. The video addresses various stereotypes about the LGBT community, such as being cowards or promiscuous, which the speaker refutes by emphasizing the diversity and capability of individuals within the community.

💡Homophobia

Homophobia is aversion or fear of homosexuality and homosexual people. The script discusses the impact of homophobia on society and the barriers it creates for individuals who identify as LGBT, such as the inability to hold public office.

💡President

The term 'president' is central to the video's narrative, as the speaker repeatedly asks why a gay person cannot be a president. It symbolizes the highest office of leadership and is used to question societal norms and legal structures that may prevent members of the LGBT community from achieving such a position.

💡Human Rights

Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms to which all individuals are entitled. The video advocates for the recognition of human rights for the LGBT community, including the right to be free from discrimination and the right to pursue leadership roles without bias.

💡Leadership

Leadership refers to the action of leading a group of people or an organization. The video challenges traditional notions of leadership by suggesting that a gay individual could be an effective and transformative leader, just as any other person might be, and by imagining what a gay president might do in office.

Highlights

The speaker Boy Abunda is a proud gay man and advocates for equality against discrimination.

Boy Abunda grew up in Barranca and had a happy childhood despite societal pressures.

As a child, he was told to conform to societal norms like playing basketball and liking girls, but he failed at these expectations.

The speaker faced bullying and discrimination on Royal Street, which made him defensive about his sexuality.

Boy questions why a gay person cannot be president and seeks answers from various people.

Some people expressed admiration for the LGBTQ+ community but still held limiting stereotypes.

The speaker refutes the stereotype that all gay people are cowards by citing examples of bravery within the community.

Boy Abunda clarifies that being gay is not a disease, as homosexuality was removed from the DSM in 1973.

He counters the notion that homosexuality is a curse, stating that he and others are blessings, not curses.

The speaker argues that the presidency should be open to all, as the Constitution does not specify sexual orientation as a requirement.

Boy Abunda cites examples of other countries having LGBTQ+ leaders and argues that the Philippines should follow suit.

He draws parallels between the LGBTQ+ rights movement and past movements for racial and gender equality that have achieved success.

The speaker outlines the traits of a great president as described by Karl Rove, emphasizing that sexual orientation is not a factor.

Boy Abunda imagines what a gay president might do, using humor to envision appointments and policy changes.

He concludes by rephrasing his question to a statement of affirmation that a gay president is possible and necessary.

The speech ends with a call to recognize the potential of LGBTQ+ individuals to lead and contribute positively to society.

Transcripts

I am NOT an LGBT activist I don't

qualify

neither do I identify myself as an

advocate because I'm afraid I may not be

able to live up to the expectations of

the label I'm a proud gay man and I'm

one with my community in our fight

against oppression bigotry

discrimination and for equality yes my

name is Boy Abunda and I was born and

raised in a small town called Barranca

in eastern summer it's now a small city

it's still beautiful I had a happy

childhood not perfect but a wonderful

childhood as a child as a young boy I

was told many things I was told to be a

good boy and I was as also told to love

Lana and that I I was told to love my

country the Philippines I was also told

to love and honor God above all you know

a kapu yang I did all those as a young

boy I was also told to play basketball I

tried I tried with all the bones in my

body but I just didn't have the rhythm I

didn't have the timing the alacrity of

basketball players I was a failure as a

young boy I was also told to like a

young normal girl because young normal

boys played basketball and like young

normal girls again with bravery with a

lot of prayers I tried to like a young

normal girl again I was a failure there

was a street in my town called royal

street from where I lived

you had to go through this street to be

able to go to church to the town plaza

to the public market there was another

way but it was a longer route and there

were more stray dogs and it was darker

so we had to go through

royal street it was horrifying it's

terrifying to walk through royal street

because young normal boys would bully us

they were mean they were wretched were

obnoxious they would call us names we

would fight back I would fight back once

in a while but we would always be

outnumbered they would call us names

shout at us they would holler

byah byah byah that's the where I word

for back lap and a Royal Street broke me

in a way that I became so defensive

about my posture I became very defensive

about my sexuality in my youth royal

street was equivalent to hell as a young

boy I started to ask so many questions

some I have answered others I'm still

trying to figure out now I have another

question why can't we have a gay

president why can't we have a gay

president I wanted to test this question

so I spoke to some friends acquaintances

strangers teachers students because I

wanted to see how people react to a

provocative question like why can't we

have a gay president

somebody told me boy I have so much

respect for you I love gays you're just

so funny I can't imagine a world without

gays you're just the best comedians in

the world and you excel in the creative

endeavors you're the best hairstylist or

the best eyebrows i list s-- you're the

best fashion designers i said excuse me

we can be many and we can do anything i

told her the story about alan turing

father of computer science he was the

lead scientist that decoded the german

enigma that paved the way for the

victory of great britain in the second

world war against germany Alan Turing

was a computer scientist we are computer

scientists we are biologists we are

physicists we are basketball players we

are pool dancers we are many we can do

anything and then another one told me

but aren't gays supposed to be cowards

you you guys back off from fights

debonair arenak na hoona tiene medallas

Pegeen decal uma bond apart

buk laka anybody who backs up from the

fight is supposed to be gay I said no

we're not cowards Recker ages were brave

like the Stonewall Riots in 1969 in New

York

trans women queer young people a drag

queens LGBT people who fought valiantly

fearlessly the cruel brutal violent

police of New York we are courageous

were brave we're not cowards and then

somebody said but boy I guess supposed

to be Half Men and half women and you're

supposed to be trapped in somebody

else's body

I said no we're not half half we're

whole and we're not trapped in somebody

else's Island for you to know you have

to be me

but since you cannot let me tell you

that we are not half

we're whole and then someone said after

I asked why can't we have a gay

president isn't homosexuality supposed

to be a disease a disease

I said no dibban Aravena Cunha 10 or and

Salma karin-sama Sahaba by Han

democratical McGinn back laka are you

enough more penis Arabic Lanigan baklava

Louie some time ago a father douse

boiling water on his sleeping son in

exasperation because he cannot he could

not cure the homosexuality of his

sleeping son some parents actually allow

the young lesbian daughters to be raped

because they believe that rape can cure

lesbianism in 1973 homosexuality has

been stricken out from the diagnostics

and Statistical Manual of Mental

Disorders we are not an ailment we're

not a disease so I called another friend

and I said why can't we have a gay

president and my friend said because

gays are supposed to be promiscuous they

salivate at the sight of flesh the

Predators they prey on young boys I said

excuse me some gays are from

skewers some women are promiscuous some

men are promiscuous promiscuity is not a

gay monopoly and then even beauty queens

drink and then somebody said but isn't

homosexuality a curse I said no we're a

blessing before my mother before Nana

was a debilitated by mild dementia she

used to tell me a narc

you're a blessing to me uh and if

naughty were strong enough it should be

here today standing beside me and she

will tell you my son is a blessing he's

not a curse if only mothers and fathers

of LGBT people can be here today they

will stand up for us and they will say

we are a blessing and we're not a curse

and then somebody said isn't

homosexuality a sin don't you commit a

sin when you express your homosexual

lava I said I'm sorry as far as I know

I'm not a sin I'm a child of God and I

was also created in the image of God why

can't we have a gay president because in

2010 the Commission and elections ruled

that gay people promote immorality

abnormality and error threats to the

youth in the same year the Supreme Court

reversed this decision this homophobic

barbaric decision why can't we have a

gay president why can't we have a gay

president let me borrow some words from

the great Martin Luther King because

sadly we are still crippled by the

manacles of homophobia transphobia

discrimination bigotry why can't we have

a gay president because some people

believe and some people preach that we

are creatures lower than animals let me

tell you we are not creatures lower than

animals we are human beings

so today on TEDx I ask you why can't we

have a gay president why can't we have a

gay president when the Constitution

allows it the Philippine Constitution

allows it natural-born Filipino

registered voter can read and write

forty years of age ten year resident

it doesn't say there that you have to be

a straight man or a straight woman to be

president of this country in my opinion

we are living in the new age of

enlightenment this is the best time for

exploration this is the best time for

discovery observation and provocation

this is also the best time to challenge

to challenge prejudicial discriminatory

cultural common beliefs this is also the

best time to correct the wrongdoings of

colonialism this is also the best time

to ask why can't we have a gay president

Belgium had a gay Prime Minister allude

Aruba Iceland had a lesbian Prime

Minister but you want a cigarette here

my argument is if Iceland and Belgium

had gay Prime Minister's I asked you why

can't we have a gay president let's go

to the black slavery movement yes there

was a certain part in our history as

human beings when blacks were treated

like beasts they were animals they were

invisible to be black was to be a sin

they were marketed they were sold in

town plazas and marketplaces they were

bartered they were given as gifts but

the black slavery movement the civil

rights movement persevered and persisted

in 1963 in Washington DC the great March

happened where dr. Martin Luther King

delivered his I have a dream speech that

dream came true

in 2008 44 years later in 2008 the

United States of

America elected its first black

president in Barack Obama my argument is

if blacks were treated like beasts like

animals in the past and today the

president of the most powerful country

in the world is black why can't we have

a gay president the black slavery

movement inspired the women's liberation

movement the women's rights movement the

women's suffrage movement there was a

time in our story as human beings when

women were nothing there were

second-class citizens

there were third-class citizens they

were invisible they had no voices they

could not participate in public debates

they could not even walk beside their

men in some cultures because women were

shadows and extensions of their men and

other fathers today women's movement

against violence continues but women

have become Presidents and Prime

Minister's you have Merkel of Germany

Thatcher tae-hwan just elected his first

woman president trying when partying hey

now is president of South Korea this

country has had two presidents President

Corazon Aquino

and President Gloria macapagal-arroyo my

argument is if women who were shadows if

women who were extensions of their men

and fathers have become presidents and

prime ministers I ask you why can't we

have a gay president I wanted to

understand what makes a great president

I researched and I found the most

insightful in size of discourse written

by Karl Rove policy advisor to George W

Bush and in that discourse he enumerated

some traits of what makes a great

president

what makes a great president clarity of

vision consistency of purpose emotional

intelligence a healthy respect for

public opinion a great team nowhere in

that discourse will you find that you

have to be a straight man or

woman or LGBT to be a great president it

just have to be a human being to be a

great president ladies and gentlemen

indulge me here a bit let's have a

little fun imagine what a gay president

of the Philippines would do he would

probably appoint somebody like big Hong

Duterte - ambassador of the Vatican he

would have a lot of fun with Pope

Francis a gay president would not be

afraid to convince Archbishop Cruz to

come out of retirement and ahead the

Bureau of Customs he will clean up that

agency in less than 24 hours

Archbishop Cruz loves trouble he loves

getting into the fray a gay president

would probably create an anti corruption

department headed by the impervious by

the incorruptible women of be CIJ a gay

president would probably appoint

somebody like Senator little Lapidus

permanent representative to the United

Nations so that people may know that as

a people we are quiet and we don't talk

a gay president who would probably

appoint somebody like Miss Universe 2015

Pia wurtzbach ambassador to Colombia so

that people may know that we don't bear

grudges and remember the table and the P

DAF are natural enemies of the badeff

seriously now a gay president will

nurture and strengthen the Filipino

family a gay president will be a servant

leader a gay president will subscribe to

the concept of politics being the art of

impossible and not the possible vaclav

havel

specially if the impossible is for the

good of all a gay president will

prioritize the FOI the freedom of

information bill the anti-discrimination

bill a gay president will not be afraid

to be a great president ladies and

gentlemen we have some of the most

passionate some of the most driven some

of the most brilliant intelligent some

of the most qualified

and some of the most inspiring some of

the most transformative leaders in the

LGBT community one of them is just

waiting in the wings waiting for his

turn to be the next president of this

country one of them

in conclusion allow me to rephrase my

question from why can't we have a gay

president so can we have a gay president

can we have a gay president yes we can

can we have a gay president yes we can

because like every woman like every man

in this theater in this country in this

world the presidency is our destiny it

is our birthright can we have a gay

president yes we can yes we will yes we

must and why do I say this with

impregnable clarity

ladies and gentlemen towards towards

history and common sense thank you