Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University

HOMOSEXUALS IN THE SOCIETY:

A MARXIST READING OF GEYLUV

Norina Lorraine C. Liscano

Master of Arts in Education – English

Prof. Mildred Crisostomo

May 2018
HOMOSEXUALS IN THE SOCIETY: A MARXIST READING OF GEYLUV

Homosexuals had and have been gradually creating a seriously large portion of

the society. Countless are the times they have been shouting for their freedom and

acceptance – even up until now. There are even community organizations that had been

established for their rights and protection. In our country where religious morality is

really of substance, queers, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender are more likely

considered and treated as cursed and immoral individuals.

In an article of Kokoski (2018) entitled The Phenomenon of Homosexuality in

Today’s Society, he regarded homosexuality as a “troubling moral and social

phenomenon.” But then he said that, still people who have other gender preferences must

be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity.

Elas (2017) admittedly said on his article, The Greatest Struggle of Being Gay in

the Philippines, that regardless of the positive image that the Philippine media are

creating for the homosexuals, still there is a negative stigma especially for families who

are living with morally high religious respects. Since Philippines is a highly conservative

country, Elas added that gay equality and acceptance are somehow in between “the

spectrum of acceptance and neglect.”

In this literary analysis, Marxist approach will be used to learn how homosexuals

relate to their society and how society treats them.

Marxism was founded by a 19th century German philosopher named Karl Marx.

He became a part of the Young Hegelians, and later, the communist league. Marx is
revered as one of the most influential social thinkers of the 19th century. Some of his most

notable works are: The German Ideology (1846), The Communist Manifesto (1848), and

Das Capital (1867) (Bulusan).

Marxists believe that a society works through the struggles and presence of binary

oppositions, and it is due to those conflicts that social transformation results (Mambrol,

2016).

Anchored on the philosophy of Marxism, Marxist criticism reviews a work of

literature in terms of the society it presents (Oglesby). It focuses in analysing how the

competition between different classes inspired or influenced a given work (Khol,et.al,

2018). Some of the general principle of Marxism is to promote the idea that literature

should be a tool in the revolutionary struggle, arrive at an interpretation of literary text in

order to define the political dimensions of literary work, judge literature by how it

represents the main struggles for power going on that time, and highlight and laud

solution from the critic (Bulusan).

The text to be critiqued is the short story of the Filipino writer, Honorio

Bartolome De Dios entitled, GeyLuv.

Honorio Bartolome De Dios is a development professional and writer from

Marilao, Bulacan. He has a degree in Sociology and works with national and

international development organizations as a humanitarian worker, researcher and trainer

on participatory action research and disaster risk reduction. In 2005, he led the formation

of Naratibo, a community of Filipino narrative writers which conducts workshops for

both established and aspiring writers. His short stories have appeared in various literary
and academic anthologies and received the Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for

Literature. In 1998, his collection of short stories, Sa Labas ng Parlor was published by

the University of the Philippines Press. He teaches part-time in Ateneo de Manila

University and farms in Legaspi City, Albay (Agam, 2014).

One of the short stories in his collection Sa Labas ng Parlor, is GeyLuv. It

chronicles the familiar story of two friends, Mike and Benjie, whose relationship grow

from friendship into, possibly, a romantic one. As one of the most beloved stories in the

Ladlad anthology, Bartolome de Dios’ story, first written in Filipino, has been translated

to English by Ronald Baytan. Both versions of the story are written in the first person

point of view, alternating between that of Mike’s and Benjie’s. The use of this technique

gives readers both characters’ insights and flow of thought about each other – essentially,

both sides of the story. [1]

At the beginning, we immediately learn that Benjie is a flamboyant gay man – he

calls himself bakla although Mike says he is hard to “spot” as one – and that Mike is a

straight man insecure about how his sexuality might be perceived by his friends and the

public. Despite their differences, however, the two develop a friendship, gradually getting

to know each other in a deeper sense – Mike has met Benjie’s mother and Benjie has met

Mike’s ex-girlfriend Carmi – drinking and spending time together, at each other’s

apartments, every other day. Perhaps one of the several things that drew the two so close

to each other – the story opens with Benjie’s confession, “I love you, Mike.” – is that the

two come from same pasts, having had their hearts broken by exes who seem to move on

much quicker than they do. At the same time, both men are reluctant about their

friendship with each other at first: Benjie, because he is afraid that he would eventually
fall for Mike despite vowing not to fall for another man again; and Mike, because he

keeps thinking about his “macho” friends who would surely judge him if they were to

discover that he, a straight man, is close to a gay man. [Ibid.1]

Geyluv reads like any other romance fiction – the meeting of the two characters;

their inevitable attraction to each other; the existence of a seemingly insurmountable

obstacle; the overcoming of said problem; and the optimistic ending. At the same time,

Geyluv subtly criticizes the stereotypes given to men, seen mostly in Mike’s constant

doubting of his friendship with the gay Benjie. In the story, Mike expresses his gratitude

for having someone like Benjie in his life, since he is able to fully express himself, to be

vulnerable and have feelings about things (his career and education, for example) instead

of having to lock it up and be mysterious about it, because such is what his “macho”

friends demands. As a result, he often secretly confesses that he simply cannot lose

Benjie, and understandably so: Benjie is Mike’s confidante and his only release from the

things that fills his head – work, his ex-girlfriend Carmi, and his “macho” friends and

what they might think of their friendship. [Ibid.1]

The way that the story ends, too, leaves Mike open to the possibilities that their

friendship can explore. He decides that labels didn’t matter, asking himself as much as

asking the readers: What’s so wrong about a straight man loving a gay man? It leaves a

hopeful impression on readers, that a fully self-aware relationship, even a love between a

gay man and a straight man, is very much possible. [Ibid.1]

This analysis aims to determine the status of the homosexuals in the society, how

are they perceived and treated by the society, and their relationship with their “love
interest.” This will also surface how homosexuals should and must be treated in these

times.

On one of the parts of the story, Benjie believes that true love exists. He believes

that someday, someone will truly love him unconditionally, and that the Lord also blesses

gays like him.

“Gasgas na sa akin ang puna ng mga amiga kong baklita na ilusyon ko lang ang

paghahanap ng meaningful relationship. Sabi ko naman, tumanda man akong isang

ilusyunadang bakla, maghihintay pa rin ako sa pagdating ng isang meaningful

relationship sa aking buhay. Naniniwala yata akong pinagpala din ng Diyos ang mga

bakla!” Benjie’s POV

But society repels that idea. It also oppresses Benjie’s claim about the Lord

blessing the gays. Philippines is a highly conservative upholder of religious morality and

the inclusion of homosexuals and being one is considered a sin.

According to the research entitled, Religious Beliefs Underpin Opposition to

Homosexuality by the Pew Research Center (2013), 55% believe that homosexual

behaviour is a sin, while 33% disagree. Strongly religios people are far more likely to see

homosexual behaviour as sinful than are the less religious.

The next part of the story reveals how homosexuals are treated unfairly in the

society. It clearly shows here how some of the people use and disrespect homosexuals

just because of what they are. Thus creating fear, anxiety, and trauma to them. As Mike

quotes,
 “Natatakot na kasi siyang magamit, ang gamiting ng ibang tao ang kanyang

kabaklaan para sa sarili nilang kapakanan. May negative reactions agad siya ‘pag

nagiging malapit at sweet sa kanya ang mga lalaki.”

According to Ranjan (2013), because of the idea that homosexuals are not normal,

homosexuals appear to have a negative judgement by society and consequently are often

not treated fairly. This unjust treatment is causing discrimination against them in their

work industry, in schools, and by the law.

This story also proves that homosexuals are widely receiving raised eyebrows

from the society and people who usually join or befriend them are quickly labelled as part

of the group. It is obvious in the statement of Mike that he was reluctant to befriend

Benjie because he worries about being suspected as a gay.

“Noong una’y naalangan nga ako. Aba, e baka ‘ka ko mapaghinalaan din akong

bakla kung isang bakla ang lagi kong kasama.”

“…Ingat lang daw ako. Na ano? Baka raw mahawa ako. Never, sabi ko pa.

Hanggang kaibigan lang.”

According to Dr. Garfield, among the many obstacles to male-male platonic

intimacy, fear of homosexuality looms large. Straight men fret that if they get too close,

others will see them as gay; which in their minds means feminine, weak, and perverted.

As the story goes on, the two admits only to themselves that at some point, they

are falling in love with each other. Benjie confirms that he really loves Mike. On the

other hand, Mike, though unsure, acknowledges Benjie as someone special to his life. As

quoted on their own point of views,

 Mike’s PoV:

“At ang natatandaan ko, hinalikan niya ako sa labi bago ako tuluyang

makatulog.”

“Ang balak ko’y ganito: tatanungin ko siya kung puwede akong maki-

share sa kanyang apartment. ‘Pag pumayag siya, di mas mapag-aaralan ko talaga ang

gusto ko—at namin—na mangyari sa aming relasyon. Kung gusto ko siyang makasama

nang matagalan. Kung mahal ko rin siya. Kapag hindi, we’ll still be friends.”

Benjie’’s PoV:

“May damdamin ako, may libog ako, marunong din akong umibig at

masaktan.”

“…Para lang mapatunayan sa kanyang ako ang baklang ipagduldulan

man sa lalaking nasa kalagayang katulad niya, sa gitna ng madili na kuwartong kaming

dalawa lang ang laman, ay di lang yakap at halik ang gusto kong isukli sa kanya nang

gabing iyon. At di rin kahalayan. Gusto ko siyang mahalin. Gusto kong ipadama ang

nararamdaman ko para sa kanya. Isang gabi lang iyon. Marami pang gabi ang

naghihintay sa amin. At di ako bato para di matukso. Higit sa lahat, bakla ako.”

On those parts of the story, the opinion of the society is still divided. Kokosi

(2018), argues that homosexual acts must be considered wrong and intrinsically

disordered. According to him, they are contrary to the natural law because they close the

sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual

complementary. Under no circumstances should they be approved. He even added that to

choose someone of the same sex for one’s sexual activity is to annul the rich symbolism

and meaning, not to mention the goals, of the Creator’s sexual design.

However, based on the research of Pew Research Center entitled, The Partisan

Divide on Political Values Grows Even Wider (2017), over the past two decades, there

has been a dramatic increase in public acceptance of homosexuality, as well as same sex

marriage. Seven-in-ten now say homosexuality should be accepted by society, compared

with just 24% who say it should be discouraged by the society.

Regardless of the negative outlook of the society towards homosexuals, we need

to change that negative perspective about them. As what Kokoski (2018) said, they must

be accepted with “respect, compassion and sensitivity.” It’s time to look at them in an

appreciative manner .Try to look at those homosexuals whose names create noise in the

business, fashion, and entertainment world. We may consider those feat as their silent

scream for acceptance, but lo and behold! What an admiring way to be appreciated.

We can see in this masterpiece that queer people are also humans seeking for

love, comfort, and acceptance, and we can only do that if we start understanding them,

because eventually that will lead to acceptance.

In these times where prying eyes are everywhere, what matters to them are the

“Who?” The “Who”, who can give them genuine love, the “Who” who can give them

true friendship, affection, and comfort. The “Who” who they can trust. One cannot give

all those without acceptance; because when we start to accept, we also start to embrace

even the ugliest scars, even the most frustrating flaws, and even the greatest
imperfections; and when we embrace those, that’s when we start to love. The love that

everyone needs. It takes only one person to make a great deal of change. Start it now.
 References

[1]
https://equeerlibrium.wordpress.com Retrieved on May 25, 2018

Bulusan, Ferdinand, Marxist Literary Criticism

Elas, Joseph, The Greatest Struggle of Being Gay in the Philippines, August 30, 2017

Garfield, Robert Dr., Breaking the Male Code: Unlocking the Power of Friendship

Khol, Bethany; LeFever, Montana; and Blake, The Marxist Perspective of Literary

Analysis, 2018

Kokoski, Paul, The Phenomenon of Homosexuality in Today’s Society, Standard

Timespress, May 19, 2018

LaSala, Michael C. Ph.D., LCSW, Gay Men and Straight Men as Friends, June 27, 2015

Mambrol Nasrullah, Marxism and Literary Theory, 2016

Oglesby, Kaitlin, Marxist Criticism: Definition and Examples

Pew Research Center: Religious Beliefs Underpin Opposition to Homosexuality,

November 18, 2013

Pew Research Center: The Partisan Divide on Political Values Grows Even Wider, 2017

Project AGAM, 2014

Ranjan, Megha, Unjust Treatment of Homosexuals, UWCSEA, December 6, 2013