Not the best venue to make “ladlad.”

Although I have so many disagreements with Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales on certain issues, I support his stand in opposing gays holding Santacruzan “sagalas.” I don’t think its too much to ask for the Catholic Church to at least respect the true meaning of Santacruzan. Correct me if Iam wrong, Santacruzan is derived from a celebration of St. Helena honoring the Cross as a symbol of victory in war particularly by his son, Emperor Constantine, the first Christian Emperor of Rome. It is said that before Constantine went to battle he asked the heavens for a sign and in the heavens he saw messages “In Hoc Signo Vinces” (By this sign, you shall conquer.)

So there is a religious undertone in the celebration of the Santacruzan and this, I think, was missed out by a lot of gays. Maybe what they noticed are only the wardrobes that the “Reynas” were wearing. And so they thought Santacruzan is another fashion event where they can show off their poses, walks and of course, their colorful and “bongga” dresses. I watched the television last night and I saw one gay who not only marched but even turn around like a model on a catwalk parading her flowing gown. You see, that’s the danger that the good Cardinal Rosales is warning us. That Santacruzan will be cheapened and desecrated.

Are gay pride parades not enough for them to show off what they’ve got and sent across the society the message against discrimination? Gay pride parades exactly accomplishes what they are vigorously campaigning for and for me that’s okay. But with Santacruzan its another story. It shoul have been spared from gayish influence. Its a religious activity for God sake.

I don’t have against gays and lesbians. Well, I try not to be judgmental on them at least. But there are certain norms that they have to observe so as not to offend the sensibilities of others. Just because people or society for that matter try its very best to respect their sexual orientation, there are certain areas that they should not cross and one of that is religious practices and traditions.

Some Liberals would say, “Oh come on, what’s wrong with being gay. Let us not be too judgmental on them.” “Or being gay and lesbian is okay,” Granting for the sake argument on this liberal thinking, if homosexuality is okay and acceptable, why there is a big fuss when a gay priest or a gay bishop molest their altar boys or wards? In America and here in the Philippines it’s a big issue. Anti Catholic Church activists are always in the frontline seeking justice and compensation for the victims. Why? because he is gay and he happens to be a priest or a religious person? Precisely they are called gays because they like the same sex. If a gay person, not necessarily a priest, sexually engaged another altar boy or a ward, can it be not also termed as “molestation?” If gays or lesbians are okay, then no matter what they do base on their sexual preferences should not elicit any adverse reaction whatsoever, whether the doer is a religious or a layman.

Sadly, such is not the case. People would usually react negatively. So where is this theory that “being gay and lesbian is okay.” Even the Holy Bible has single out these people (pardon me) as an abomination! Unless you don’t believe the Bible, then you may not pay attention to this message.

I hope I made my point clear here. All I am saying that gays and the Catholic Church should observe mutual respect from each other. If one says, “hey you are crossing the line there”, I guess it would be prudent for the other to listen and reconsider. There are other venues where gays can express their uniqueness. They can launch more gay pride parades and gay beauty pageants. The latter is more timely since its fiesta season in the country. They are not short of venues where they can express themselves fully.