Through the centuries homosexuality carries a social stigma.  Even the term homosexual bears an unpleasant note if not offensive to many.  Though the Church has mitigated its view on homosexuality and the media today seems to be sympathetic about it, still a large portion of mainstream Filipino society looks down upon homosexuality as something shameful and a disgrace to the family if one member is found to be one.  The typical Filipino “macho culture” vehemently rejects this.  One is either forced to hide his or her identity, the so-called “closet queen” or suffer the rejection of the family and/or society.  This rejection gives way to many homosexual persons to live a “double life.”  I have a friend who has a homosexual orientation.  Until now, his immediate family is clueless about it.  He only came out to his closest friend and to me as his confidante.  Well, he trusts me because I was a religious brother before and he knew that I couldn’t betray that trust.  He confided that there are times that he felt choked and tired of pretending.  He wants to be true to himself but always feared that his family would reject him.  Obviously, there is no sense of peace within him.

The problem of homosexuality seems complex, as does any problem concerning every human being and concerning each person in depth: many different and difficult aspects are connected with it.  This complexity seems to affirm the unique richness that marks the human person, whose being is often described as a “mystery”.  On the other hand, this mystery is precisely the inspiration of our reflection of the human person as the only created being that is associated with preciousness, sacredness; the “crowning glory” of God’s creation so to speak.  I found it offensive to think that the institutional church regards the person with homosexual orientation as someone whose affectivity is objectively disordered in nature or being linked to an intrinsic moral evil.  The idea of evil is very strong here.  I cannot reconcile the idea that sexuality whether hetero or homo is something that divides or categorizes the whole person.  From the readings of Creation Spirituality, It affirms that sexuality is a gift from God.  It is not something to be ashamed of.  Sexuality is an integral part of every human person and a part of God’s plan for humankind.  The institutional church teaches that human beings are made in the image and likeness of God.  The person is more than what or who he/she is.  This, I believe presupposes the primacy of the person over sexuality. As a consequence, one must pay primary, continual and undeniable attention to the person and his/her primordial dignity: his/her "type" of sexuality, with its concrete forms of realization, never deprives the person of that basic dignity which is inherent in his/her very being as a creature of God.  I’ve known a lot of Christian gays and lesbians who are responsible people, living a decent life and have contributed to the welfare of society.  By reason of their being a homosexual, I don’t subscribe to the idea that these people are immoral and will be damned by God.  I strongly believe that God did not create something that is destined for damnation.  God created everything and God saw that it was good as the verse in the book of Genesis goes.  I think the institutional church and humanity in general has something to learn from the lives of these people whom they categorized as homosexuals.  Persons whether gay, lesbian or straight have the basic right to enjoy their lives, to love and experience love in return.