Feel-good narratives have a simple objective, and that is to make the public feel…well, good about themselves or about a presented situation. While inherently harmless, feel-good stories or narratives still have the power to sway public opinion, so much so that people no longer read between the lines.
Take it from a post on Facebook by SexBomb member Izzy Trazona-Aragon over her son coming out to her and being supportive of him, which gained lots of media attention. While most social media users were initially quick to shower the said news with hearts and likes, some people started to question the objective of her message. It soon subjected her and her son, Andrei, to a media frenzy.
She first mentioned that she misses her son and that he will always be in her prayers. She then stated that “Sometimes, parents & their children have disagreements and it’s normal. But I know both sides have that pain in their heart and wishes that they will just simply agree w/ each other. Both have their own reasons on what they are fighting for.”
The SexBomb member concluded the post saying “Andrei anak, I love you so much to not support you on things that will harm you. I am always here for you…your mama, mahal na mahal kita.”
The post seems to highlight her positive support for her son, but a lot of people, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community, started calling out the an underlying tone of homophobia in her message.
This massively triggered her son, Andrei Trazona, and has posted his side of the story.
Andrei said that he lied in an interview about the SexBomb member’s acceptance saying that “there is no point in protecting her because the truth came out straight from her.
He added, “As much as I love you, you know that I don’t wanna live in a lie. I’m sustaining myself for years now and I am living responsibly honest. I’m tired of this conversation about me being gay and doing drag. I wanna end this argument by saying that ‘I wanna live my own truth and someday you will be proud of what I will become.’”
“I love you so much mom but this isn’t healthy for me anymore. I hope someday you will understand how it feels to be in my shoes. I miss you but you’re not bringing me any comfort and compassion I deserve,” he ended his post.
All that Andrei is asking for is his mom’s support but he clearly wasn’t buying the narrative his mom created and so he chose to isolate himself from his mom for a while.
Since the story broke, other celebrities and influencers have put in their (unsolicited) two cents, and Sexbomb Izzy has continued to reiterate that she is “at peace,” presumably with her thoughts.
To the common man, Izzy’s message–which was stuffed full of religious keywords and proverbial phrases–can appear largely as a message of love and enlightenment. But to the oft-persecuted minority that is the LGBTQ+ community, it can become a dangerous narrative. That you get unrequited love and support, only if you fit religious standards.
It’s a story that will probably die down in a few days, as with any other “trending” news on the internet and on social media. But what we also have here is an example of why we need to be vigilant of people’s intentions with the stories they tell, and more importantly, to never forget to read between the lines. /VT
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