Brigette Domingo

C-1R
An Incontestable Love Affair
(A Reaction Paper in the movie, Jazz In Love)

"Mein Schatz.", said Jazz as he dallied with his lover. It is a Deutsch endearment
meaning, "my sweetheart". These words eminently struck me beyond doubt. I have always
wanted to be coaxed with sweet nothings or at least have someone to be summoned by such.
Most girls, nowadays, find it sweet and captivating every time some boy calls them cheesy
names. Witnessing this, we find it cute. But what if the couple doing this sweet stuff happens to
share the same sex? Will we still find it cute?

Jazz In Love is a documentary film depicting a seemingly complicated relationship
between Jazz and his 50-year-old boyfriend named, Theo. They met online and through the ever-
powerful capabilities of the cyberspace, they fell in love. As time elapsed, they eventually
decided to get married. The story revolved mostly on how homosexual love works today. Of
course, it can be inferred from our country's firm adherence to religion and conservation of purity,
that homosexual marriage or gay marriage is forbidden. This in turn, made Jazz and Theos
marriage to be held in Germany, instead of having it here.

In Western countries, same sex marriage is no longer that of a contention. Gay or lesbian
love is wholeheartedly accepted in some countries, which I think, is a good thing because
widespread sex discrimination is reduced. However, in our homeland, it is considered to be more
like a mortal sin vile enough for homosexuals to be ostracized from the society; thus, taking
away their privileges as a citizen or more importantly, as a human being. You see, gay people
have feelings too. They too, are also humans. They have a beating heart that pumps out blood
just like every one of us. As for me, I do not see the need for such hatred. Our country
hypocritically acts so God-centered, sugar coating all of the Church's deficiencies. If God really
created us and gave us brains, then why do we let such mundane domination of friars take over
us like we are mindless brain-eating zombies? Why do we allow these people dictate our acts?
Little do we know that we are being blinded from the reality by their irrational teaching. Not
everything that the Church preaches is to be followed, for not everything they say is of benefit.
They do not have the right to condemn gay couples, for they too, are creations of God (if ever
Brigette Domingo
C-1R
there really is an existing one). Had there not been an interference of the Church regarding same
sex marriages, Jazz and Theo will never have experienced this problem. Gay people could have
lived their lives happily with their husbands.

Furthermore, it is a good thing that Jazz is indubitably, a strong and willful person. He
knows well how to handle himself in times of dire condemnation. Despite of what other people
say about him being in a relationship with someone who has the same gender as his, Jazz does
not seem to mind. Well, of course, he might have thought about it at some point but he really did
not give a damn about it. Instead, he just put on a sardonic smile on his face and just let other
people mock and criticize him. He just ignored them. This is a good trait that most of us should
try to develop. Today, this is really convenient in surviving, especially to our environment filled
with foolish people. Jazz manifests his strength and conviction despite of his difficulties. A
characteristic we, specifically, gay people must uphold. Those who still cannot grasp the fact of
such fathomless love, tend to ridicule others entangled in this situation. Just like what they say,
those who know little speak a lot more than those who know a lot, and because they know a little,
they just stick with their old beliefs rejecting the new and improved ones. This is clearly shown
in the case of Jazz father from the film. Although his son already introduced Theo to him, he
still does not believe or think that they are having an affair. To him, they are just good friends. It
is as if he was having a hard time in accepting the fact that his son is gay and is about to get
married with another man. Either that, or he is just in denial. Personally, I cannot blame him
because he came and grew from such an unadulterated era. It is not his fault to be culture-
shocked by todays society, though. The very concept of love and relationship back in their day
is pure and prudish, free from appalling idiosyncrasies. Before, it was simple: a boy courts a girl
then after some time, they get married. But now, it is a lot different. Peoples of the same sex can
court and love each other. This is something parents of today should be aware of.

From the movie, it is incontestable that the love Jazz and Theo have is unparalleled. They
act all silly and natural around each other. Something that most relationships of today barely
even possess. It is often sex that controls or determines the firmness and length of a relationship.
In some cases, sex just occurs even with the absence of love. The value of sex is now being
debased over time. It is as if love does not even have to be a necessity when being in a
Brigette Domingo
C-1R
relationship anymore whereas, the couple in the film reassures us otherwise. They entirely
portrayed a quintessential relationship. A relationship with less sex and more love, understanding,
and patience. Things that most relationships of today lack. In this case, those who find gay
people disgusting or repulsive should even look up to Jazz and Theos love story. They just
proved that love has no boundaries. Loathe is inconsequential to them, for what is to loathe
anyway? Being in love? Sharing love? Giving happiness? Living life? Being happy? I do not
think so. Love has never been a sin. Never has and never will be. It is something that we should
be proud of, instead.

Everyone wants to be cherished in countless romantic ways. Everyone has the right to be
loved and to have his or her own taste of a happy ending. People need to be aware of the fact that
you cannot stop whatever it is that you are feeling for someone. Even if that is considered to be
prohibited, you would still pursue it in the end. This is our own natural instinct. Depriving
someone of love is despicable. Hatred will not do us any good for it will only worsen things. Gay
people are fallible too. They have their own sentiments. They get hurt. We should be sensitive
enough to know and understand that to love means to be boundless and to be limited by none.