SUPERDHY

Try it for a change. Speak with kindness and acceptance, or at least with an open mind. Say, “you're amazing,” or “awesome,” “fabulous,” or some other equally pleasing adjective of your choice. Do not qualify your compliment with a but or an even if, and mean it. I love you son, you are as perfect as you were when you were born. There's nothing wrong with you, but a lot wrong with the world for not loving you the way I do. You're just like me, son, strong and brave. You're just like your mother, kind and beautiful. But I'd rather be like you in the way you’ve faced everyone, even me, when I’ve tried to sway you into becoming what you're not. Apologies and fears Say sorry. Because there's always something to be sorry for, even if it's an unspoken word or an acknowledged sentiment. Sorry I didn't want to listen to you before and sorry if I didn't know what to say. Sorry for my silence, for hoping "it" would pass or would...

It begins in the morning even before he sees another person. Every day, he gets up and looks at his wardrobe the way no one else does. There's a section of clothes he's more comfortable wearing, and a category of clothes that won't be so "obvious." He picks the latter.  After all, it's a work day. He's practiced a tone of voice that's more acceptable. It's the one he's honed in private as soon as he noticed that his slight inflection as a child raised eyebrows and caused relatives to push him to play more with other boys. He's roughened his movements and tightened the grip of his handshake. Everyday he struts a walk that says, "Don't mess with me," but deep inside it says, I have secrets. Please leave me alone. He has no choice when his father says, "Wala tayong lahing bakla (Being gay is not in our blood)." He has no options when his mother says, "You have to carry on the family name." His brothe...