Restless Gays

Gay individuals in the Philippines have long been accepted in the public eye, yet have been discriminated against at work. The gay subculture has developed its own values and ways of being. A key component of successfully performing a gay identity in the Philippines today is speaking English well. It distinguishes one as urbane, cosmopolitan, and sophisticated. For the gay community in Manila, call centers have become known as a “gay paradise.” They are spaces wherein it is possible to safely enact gender identities. Nonetheless, gay workers remain restless, as they dream of leaving the country for the West or of pursuing a profession in the Philippines.