Gift - the gift of acceptance! This is a glimpse of
hope and inspiration in a world that is often filled with confusion and
rejection. There are just some points in life when we get confused about
whether this life is a gift or a curse. Now, you will read about a person’s
story of love and acceptance from his loved ones as well as the people around
him.
He is a member of a LGBTQ community. LGBTQ stands
for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning. This community has
expanded to embrace all other genders and is also known as LGBTQIA to include
Queer, Intersexual, and Asexual. Another name for the community is QUILTBAG
which means Queer and Questioning, Intersex, Lesbian, Transgender and
Two-spirit, Bisexual, Asexual and Ally, and Gay and Genderqueer. Get to know
him more and get to know his story in this rare opportunity.
Mr. JP Traje Saligumba who is lovingly called
“Jopay” by those who are close to him, is a thirty two year-old resident of
Jawili, Tangalan, Aklan. A true-blooded Jawilinon, he was born on June 21, 1986
and raised in ur beloved barangay. His loving parents are Danilo
Saligumba and Luvis Saligumba. His siblings
are Janny, Ariel, Kathryn and Cheryl. He completed his elementary education at
Caticlan Elementary School and he graduated from high school at Western Aklan
Academy in Nabas. He went to Aklan State University in Ibajay Aklan, taking up
Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM), but he was not able to finish it. He got
busy with work and because of that, he can’t focus on his studies.
“I took up HRM but I need to work and I don’t really
like it. I’m just not interested, so I kept in my mind that I will find work
based on my skills,” JP explained.
On being a member of the LGBT community, JP
realized his true identity since he was in grade 3. He just accepted that it is
what he is. Being a member of the LGBTQ community is definitely not a walk in
the park. It is far from a life of fun
and enjoyment. No. There are challenges to take on too. Mr. Saligumba took
the opportunity to work as a make-up artist.
His mother was so proud of him and she accepted him
as a normal person. However, this acceptance of her mother is different from
his father’s reaction.
“My father did not accept my gender at first. He
told me that I am to become a policeman or a priest someday but I destroyed his
dreams for me. He knew that I won’t be like that, because I am different now,
he said”.
Because of his father’s disappointment, JP tried
his best to make his father proud of him in a way that he can and that is
through his achievements as a makeup artist. These achievements help him earn
his father’s acceptance little by little.
“Even though
I am a member of the LGBTQ community, my loved ones have become proud of me
because I am talented and they said that I am a gift to them. I am always overjoyed
to hear those words,” JP said. “Aside from my loved ones being proud of me, I
am also proud of being a member of the LGBTQ community because I am able to
show who I really am,” he added.
“Be a role model to everyone, live freely as who you
really are, be kind, be helpful to your loved ones and use your experience in a
good way,” he left a message for everyone to live by.
It is easy to pass judgement by what our eyes see
but it takes time, an open mind, and an open heart to get to know the real
story behind the smiles, the laughter, and the fabulous lifestyle of a person.
The LGBTQ community is a usual victim of judgements. While there are many
issues that make them controversial, we can never go wrong with kindness. The
gift of love should never discriminate and its foundation is the gift of
acceptance.
