orquillas decena chapter 1

1. okay chapter 1. well written and explained.

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Rationale

Homosexuals have been present in the Philippine society for centuries already and they have already been through a lot of judgements since the times when everything was so traditional and conservative up to the present when things have considerably changed and modernized.

Homosexuality has since been subject to debates and arguments that aim to find out the reasons on how individuals could become homosexuals. Philosophers, scientists, and people from other fields of work have already theorized possible causes of being a homosexual. Some say that homosexuality is hereditary or can be inherited. Others theorized that homosexuality is caused by hormonal imbalances or simply because of environmental factors. There are other suggested causes of homosexuality, some even ventured religious influences including “reincarnation” as a possible factor.

But even if these arguments are set aside, homosexuals are still placed in the hot seat and are still subject to public scrutiny because of their distinguished characteristics, most notably cross dressing and having relationships with people of the same-sex. Even the way they move their bodies and talk are sometimes the focus of gossips and judgements.

Homosexuality is often viewed negatively by the public. According to Bullough (1979), homosexuality has been regarded as sin, an illness, and even as a crime. In the Philippines, homosexuals are not protected by any civil rights laws. Homosexuals continue to struggle for their rights especially since they have to face powerful elements in the community that are against the idea of a third sex, particularly the Catholic church.

In today’s society, activism among gays who continue to fight for equal treatments and opportunities among homosexuals, heterosexuals, and other known gender identities has already captured the public eye. In the Philippines, different organizations and advocacies have been formed by homosexuals themselves and other citizens who support equality among the Filipinos regardless of sexual orientation. “Ang Ladlad”, is an example of a recently established political party that aim to obliterate discrimination and harassment against people in accordance to gender identity or sexual orientation.

In the Philippine context, it is already evident that the homosexuals are gradually being accepted by the Filipinos. Gays and lesbians can be seen everywhere including in work places and school campuses. Some have even made a career out of their identities. Gays can be seen dominating the show business industry as hosts, comedians, and even as famous actors. Some of the most popular and notable gays in television today are Vice Ganda and Boy Abunda.

In accordance to the issues about the tolerance of homosexuals in the Philippine context, the researchers find it necessary to address the views and attitudes towards homosexuality because there are people who are directly and indirectly affected by the varying opinions and reactions towards the presence of homosexuals. The researchers find it important to know how aware the Filipino youths are regarding issues about homosexuality. Since the University of the Philippines Cebu is a college school that welcomes and supports homosexuality, a fact that is evident since it recognizes Ligaya, a student organization that is composed of the third sex and its supporters, the researchers intend to determine just how supportive and tolerant the 4th year college students are of homosexuals.

Statement of the problem

This study aspires to know the views of 4th year college students of the University of the Philippines Cebu Academic Year 2010-2011 towards Homosexuality.

Specifically, it searches to attain the following objectives:

1. Identify if the 4th year students of UP Cebu College are affected by the presence of homosexuals.

2. Analyze whether a students’ profile (family background, religion, course, high school background) can affect his/her perspectives on homosexuality.

3. Evaluate if the students agree on same sex marriage.

4. Know whether the students accept gays wearing feminine attires and lesbians wearing masculine attires.

5. Find out if the students feel comfortable when they witness public display of affection among homosexuals.

6. Understand if the students accept a family member or a friend who would reveal his/her self as a homosexual.

Significance of the study

Generally, the study has indentified the views of 4th year students of UP Cebu towards homosexuality . This study can give an updated review of recent views of the youth towards homosexuals. In completing this study, certain people would be able to benefit from the findings and conclusion of the research.

Homosexuals themselves could benefit by understanding the current attitudes the people that they interact with. Through the respondents’ answers, homosexuals would be able to recognize and choose certain activities or advocacies in order for them to be accepted as equal human beings like everyone else in the society.

The family is the basic unit of society. Individuals learn to comprehend the world through the teachings of the members of the family, especially the parents. Children are mostly influenced by their parents in choosing their environment or whom to mingle with. Parents who live conservatively commonly don’t accept homosexuality since it is considered a taboo. Using this research, it may help parents who are authoritarian, allow their children interact normally and express themselves on whom they truly are to avoid misunderstanding and chaos within the family.

The Catholic Church and other organizations which continue to consider homosexuality as an unacceptable sexual orientation can evaluate the views of the public in the current period from the information that the researchers gathered. The views of the church towards homosexuals can be compared on the respondents as representation of the current Philippine society.

Research studies on homosexuals in the Philippines are still limited and this research would be counted as one for the help of further studies. This would also be added as a published material in the University of the Philippines. The university could use the study for the better views on students towards homosexuality which can also promote equality and human rights to obliterate the incessant discrimination and oppression of the third sex.

Finally, the study would be advantageous for the whole public. We can compare the views towards homosexuality of the Philippine people specifically the youth of the present and the past. We can also determine whether the community’s treatment towards homosexuality has positively changed.