Open Book
Persuasive Speech
By: Jun M. Lindo Jr. | XI - Aristotle
You and I are not very different from this book. We have our own names, our own covers, a
unique story waiting to be explored, each page representing a moment in our lives, chapters adding
depth and complexity to our narrative. But what if I told you that my case was different?
I still recall the first time someone had pointed out that I was too feminine, that I was very “gay-
ish”. It was a pivotal chapter in the book of my life. I was seven years old. Being the immature person
I was, I didn’t even know what “gay” meant. Was it a place, a type of food? I didn’t know, but from
their tone and the look on their faces, one thing became clear— it had the looming sense of hate and
disapproval. As the years went by, I came to a profound realization that they were right—I was drawn
to people of the same gender as mine. They knew before I did, they read me, I was an open book.
However, I didn't want to accept it. The society I grew up in seemed to demand a certain narrative. One
where if I didn’t follow, I would be tormented, judged, and never looked at as an equal. I close my eyes
and I hear the voices of my relatives laughing about a successful gay person in my family, “Huy nakita
mo ba si ano? Shokla na, kadiri!” It feels as though one's sexual orientation diminishes every
accomplishment they've achieved. It was as if a flaw was written in a page of my story. So, in my quest
for societal acceptance, I ripped so many pages of myself to fit into the narrative others expected of me.
I rewritten so many paragraphs to present a version that people would like. I skipped so many chapters
to maintain the illusion of a seamless story. I changed myself to be cured. Only in my dreams could I
truly be free, always was, always will be. But I’m tired of pretending that hiding doesn’t feel like
drowning, and I know that many others have the same feeling.
Thinking that queer individuals are beneath others might seem harmless to some, but it's not—
it kills. This social stigma around LGBTQ+ people dates way back, it wasn’t only me who had this
experience, but millions of other people. What you’re seeing here is a quilt from the 1980’s, it’s a
representation of someone who had died of AIDS related causes because they faced isolation, exclusion,
and denial of proper medical care. Every single one. Even in death, these individuals were denied the
dignity of equal treatment, with funeral homes refusing to handle their bodies. Decades have passed
since those dark times, but the struggle for acceptance and equality persists. According to stonewall.org,
one in eight queer people have experienced unequal treatment from the healthcare staff. Two in five
queer people have hidden their identity in fear of being mistreated. Two in three queer people have
experienced discrimination. The fact that queer individuals are still merely tolerated, rather than fully
accepted, highlights the urgent need for change.
Envision a world not only recognizing but embracing diversity, where each person, irrespective
of their background, experiences a true sense of belonging. This isn't just an ideal; it's an achievable
reality. Through promoting fair and positive representations of LGBTQ+ individuals in the media, we
dismantle harmful stereotypes. Supporting the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws that specifically
safeguard people based on sexual orientation is a symbol of equality and justice. Expressing your
opinion and actively supporting the implementation of the SOGIE Bill is already a valuable
contribution. It is about creating an environment where everyone has the right to live, work, and love
without fear of prejudice. For everyone, regardless of your sexual orientation, this fight is important. If
we permit unequal treatment based on someone's sexual identity, we're essentially opening the door for
unequal treatments on other fronts as well.
I dream of a day where queer individuals are no longer treated unequally, but instead, they
embrace their true selves without fear. Each person sharing their story, empowered by a world that
believes in their authenticity. I’m grateful for the people who gave me a voice. To those listening, I urge
you to be the voice for those still in the shadows. Life can be challenging for people like me, but there's
a need for acceptance in us all. Embrace the uniqueness within yourself, even if it feels odd or
English 11: Oral Communication in Context
Final Performance Task : First Semester | Second Quarter
Course Instructor: Mrs. Katherine Aquino – Libante, LPT
unpopular. You're not an open book; you've been hiding your pages for too long. It's time to share your
story with the world.
REFERENCES:
LGBTQ+ facts and figures. (2022). Stonewall. https://www.stonewall.org.uk/cy/lgbtq-facts-and-
figures
Wikipedia contributors. (2023). LGBT culture in the Philippines. Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_culture_in_the_Philippines#:~:text=LGBT%20Rights%
20Bill%20(SOGIE%20Bill),-
Main%20article%3A%20SOGIE&text=Violating%20this%20law%20carries%20penalties,Ge
nder%20Profiling
HIV/AIDS Timeline - Crisis, 1980s, protests | HISTORY. (2021). HISTORY.
https://www.history.com/topics/1980s/hiv-aids-crisis-timeline
Times, N. Y. (1987). FUNERAL HOMES ACCUSED OF BIAS ON AIDS. The New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/15/nyregion/funeral-homes-accused-of-bias-on-aids.html
History. (n.d.). https://www.aidsmemorial.org/quilt-history
English 11: Oral Communication in Context
Final Performance Task : First Semester | Second Quarter
Course Instructor: Mrs. Katherine Aquino – Libante, LPT
