However, having interacted with other gay couples of all types, this is not always the case. Over time, both sides have welcomed each of us in the family and respect the decisions we make together. James: I recognize that JC and I have been very lucky to have families who are very supportive of our relationship. Comparing this to other cities we've been to, we find the uninhibitedness so freeing to discover oneself, and in the process, discover the many facets one can bring into the relationship as well. I think these labels do not help us become more sex-positive. I find we label so much-who's top or bottom open, monogamous, poly, etc-that the people in the relationship can hardly explore each others' fantasies or sexuality. Gay relationships in the Philippines need more legal protection and recognition, more than recognition of “how ‘cute’ we are to have found each other.”Īlso, relationship labels and sex-positivism. While a destination wedding isn't that bad or out of the ordinary, the fact that we can't do it in our country really troubled me.
But coming home to Manila, we realized we had no option but to plan our union abroad.
What is the most challenging part of being a Filipino in a gay relationship in the Philippines? James and JC have been together for 12 years.