Just as Pride Month is about to wrap-up, a new video uploaded on actress Toni Gonzaga’s YouTube channel has set the internet on fire. In the most recent episode of “Toni Talks,” fashion designer Renee Salud and celebrity hairstylist Ricky Reyes said they disagreed with same-sex marriages and the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill, and that the public has tolerated enough of the LGBTQIA+ community. Allies, queer individuals, and LGBTQIA+ organizations didn’t take their remarks lightly.
“Kung hahabulin mo ‘yong marriage para sa legalities, dahil paghahati ‘yong kayamanan o properties, pwede kayong mag-usap lang. Maging partner na lang kayo sa aspeto na ‘yon,” said Salud.
“‘Wag mo nang pakialaman ang ginawa ng Diyos. That’s overboarding,” said Reyes.
When Gonzaga pointed out that Senator Risa Hontiveros pushed for the SOGIE Equality Bill in the Senate, Reyes said, “At ako rin ang nagpatigil ng SOGIE bill.”
Asked why he is not in favor with the bill’s passage, the hairstylist said, “Tama na ‘yong tinotolerate ang mga bading.”
“Ako naman, sige bigyan ng karapatan, bigyan [sila] ng puwang sa lipunan,” Salud said. “Kaso lamang, the problem with some gays, they ask for too much. Masyadong entitled.”
Several netizens reacted to Salud and Reyes’ remarks on social media. An X user pointed out that the two have the “leg room to shrug off legal protections” due to their economic privilege, despite being gay men. “Para sa karamihan sa atin, economy seat ang default: walang inheritance lawyer on speed-dial, walang PR team to clean up scandals, at walang guarantee na makakauwi kang ligtas kapag nakipaghawak-kamay ka sa kalsada.”
Others said that Reyes and Salud looked down on other members of the LGBTQIA+ community. “This [is] what happens when you’re gay yet still desperate for straight people’s validation,” said one X user, “it holds you back from being a decent member of your community.”
“Itong dalawang ito, ang baba ng tingin nyo sa mga kapwa nyo LGBTQ,” said another netizen.
On Facebook, Manila Bulletin columnist Tonyo Cruz said that Reyes and Salud’s remarks may be an opportunity to educate them. “Baka ‘yon ang paraan nila na magsabi na ‘educate us,’ ‘teach us,’ ‘engage us.’ Baka lang,” he said. “‘Di ko rin alam kung naimbitahan na sila para mag-interface sa bagong henerasyon o sa mga movements. I guess challenge paano sila i-address or i-confront.”
In a statement posted on Thursday, June 26, non-governmental organization Rainbow Rights Philippines said, “Sumosobra na ba ang mga bakla sa paghingi ng karapatan? Paano po ba sumobra e kulang na kulang pa nga po sa mga proteksyon?”
Rainbow Rights Philippines emphasized that queer acceptance may be easier to come by in the beauty and fashion industry, where Reyes and Salud work. “Sa totoo lang po, napakaswerte po ninyong dalawa dahil sa mga industriya ninyong ginagalawan ay may semblance po ng pagtanggap. Paano naman po sa iba? Maninigas na lang po ba sila? Okay lang sila kutyain at maliitin nang walang kinalaman sa kanilang kakayahan?”
The organization also said that the “Toni Talks” production team should be more responsible. “Sa aming palagay, nagkulang din ang ‘Toni Talks’ sa pagpuna ng lohika at sa pagiging factual ng mga sinabi ng dalawa nilang bisita. Sana maging mas propesyonal pa ang mga ganitong palabas dahil isang buong komunidad ang kayang kaya nitong tapakan at ilagay sa panganib.”
This is not the first time Reyes drew flak for making remarks against the LGBTQIA+ community as a gay man. In 2019, Reyes also commented on the SOGIE Equality Bill, saying “Tigilan na ‘yang kabaklaan.”
In 2016, Reyes was found guilty by a labor management court of discrimination and unlawful termination of an employee who had tested positive for HIV.
