By Dennis Gorecho
Many members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) community continue to struggle with feelings of isolation, guilt and shame because of the conflict between their religious upbringing and their sexual orientation. Family rejection and cultural stigma remain among the most significant challenges they face.
Both the traditional Catholic Church and Islamic teachings explicitly condemn homosexual acts as sinful. However, within both faith traditions, there are also diverse theological interpretations, reform movements and supportive communities that advocate the acceptance and inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals.
In celebration of Pride Month, the Virgin Labfest (VLF) is staging several one-act plays that explore LGBTQ+ themes and experiences.
VLF is the Philippines’ only festival dedicated to “untried, untested and unstaged one-act plays.” It showcases diverse voices and stories that tackle complex human experiences and pressing social issues, including those involving the LGBTQ+ community.
Four of the festival’s 15 featured plays highlight Pride Month, either through their storylines or characters: “Haram” by Alab Usman, “Lualhati” by Gab Mactal, “Taksyapo!” by John Lapus, and “Polar Coordinates” by Ade Valenzona.
“Haram” explores the complex intersections of faith and identity through three interconnected vignettes centered on queer Muslims struggling to navigate love and religion across borders and barriers. It examines religious anxiety, the pain of being labeled “haram” (forbidden), and the ways some queer individuals continue to hold on to their faith despite rejection.
“Lualhati” follows Jacinta, a former nun who has become a philosophy professor. Twenty years after leaving the convent, she comes face to face with Lualhati, a fellow nun from their novitiate years. As they reunite during the final night of a wake held at the convent, memories of faith, friendship and romance resurface.
“Taksyapo!” a Kapampangan expression used to release anger or frustration, uses humor, sharp wit and candid confessions about homosexuality, love, loyalty, and disappointment. Through an unlikely encounter inside a rage booth, strangers discover an unexpected connection, proving that healing can sometimes begin with a single shout of taksyapo!
“Polar Coordinates” tells the story of a student grappling with academic struggles, family issues and questions about his sexual identity. As the narrative unfolds, both father and son are revealed to be gay.
Opposition to homosexual practices is often rooted in religious beliefs that view them as contrary to human nature. Traditional religious teachings generally regard homosexual behavior as unnatural and inconsistent with the moral order established by God.
Classical religious perspectives have long considered sodomy and same-sex relations to be incompatible with natural law and practical reason. Consequently, religious groups that strongly adhere to the belief that God created a natural order for both biological and social life remain among the most vocal opponents of homosexuality.
In many Muslim-majority countries, including Iran and Saudi Arabia, homosexual acts remain criminalized, with penalties ranging from imprisonment to death.
The belief that homosexuality is incompatible with Islamic theology is often linked to the story of Lot in the Koran, which also appears in the Old Testament. The destruction of Lot’s people is frequently cited by conservative scholars as evidence of God’s condemnation of homosexual behavior.
“Lualhati,” which depicts a romantic relationship between women within a convent setting, highlights the complex and often contentious relationship between homosexuality and the Catholic Church.
According to Catholic doctrine, experiencing same-sex attraction is not, in itself, considered sinful. However, engaging in sexual activity with a person of the same sex is regarded as a grave sin against chastity and contrary to Church teachings.
Since all religious sisters take vows of chastity, a nun’s sexual orientation does not determine her standing within the Church, provided she faithfully observes her vow of celibacy.
“Sa mga nagsasabing puro kabaklaan ang mga dula ng VLF … tama ka,” says playwright and VLF co-founder Rody Vera. He emphasized that VLF seeks to give voice to marginalized sectors that often remain invisible in public discussion and discourse, particularly members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Established in 2005 by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), VLF carries the 2026 theme “Hubo’t Hubad,” which aims to strip away all pretenses of innocence while showcasing the bold Filipino voice and spirit.
The plays are grouped into four thematic sets — A, B, C, and D — titled “Tengang Kawali,” “Kapit Tuko,” “Balat Kalabaw,” and “Pusong Mamon,” respectively. Each set features three new plays. A fifth set, Dilang Matalim, revisits standout productions from previous years.
VLF XXI runs from June 3 to 28, 2026 at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater).
Meanwhile, this year’s Pride March and Festival, dubbed #LoveLab4n!, was held on June 27, 2026 at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City.
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“Peyups” is the popular moniker for the University of the Philippines.
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Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the Seafarers’ Division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan Law Offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com or call 0908-866-5786./WDJ