The LGBTQIA+ community has been under strain, fighting for their rights to express themselves, to wear whatever they want wherever they please, to be given equal opportunities, and simply to be their most authentic selves.
A queer TikTok content creator shared his experience with a Joyride driver he booked. In the video posted on his TikTok account, he shared details of the story.”I booked a Joyride taxi kaninang umaga to attend and event kasi late na ako, and this happened. I’m kinda offended sa mga sinasabi nya, first is tinanong nya ako if I’m reading the bible and sabi ko “No po kasi muslim both parents ko” and he replied “e ikaw ano ka?” I’m really not sharing my real info sa ganong bagay kaya sabi ko “hindi ko po alam” and then eto na nangyare, pinagbasa nya rin ako ng bible even tho sinabi ko sakanya na my parents was muslim, [I booked a Joyride taxi this morning to attend an event because I was running late, and this happened. I’m kind of offended by what he’s saying. First, he asked me if I’m reading the bible, and I said, “No, because both my parents are Muslim,” and he replied, “What about you?” I really don’t share my real information in those situations, so I said, “I don’t know.” And then this happened, he also made me read the bible even though I told him that my parents were Muslim.]” the user wrote.
@pvtoseko i booked a Joyride taxi kaninang umaga to attend and event kasi late na ako, and this happened. I’m kinda offended sa mga sinasabi nya, first is tinanong nya ako if I’m reading the bible and sabi ko “No po kasi muslim both parents ko” and he replied “e ikaw ano ka?” I’m really not sharing my real info sa ganong bagay kaya sabi ko “hindi ko po alam” and then eto na nangyare, pinagbasa nya rin ako ng bible even tho sinabi ko sakanya na my parents was muslim. #fyp ♬ original sound – IG:izzy.kiell
“Diba ang lungkot ng buhay mo? [Isn’t your life miserable?]” The driver asked the user.
“Hindi naman. Hindi naman po [No. Not really],” the user politely answered.
“Masaya ka sa ganyan? Masaya ka? Masaya ka sa maling pamumuhay? Alam mo’ng tama’t mali. Masaya ka? Be [honest] *inadible* [Are you happy with that? Are you happy? Are you happy with the wrong way of living? You know what is right and wrong. Are you happy? Be [honest].]” the driver continued snapping back at the user.
“Binabalik lang kita sa normal [I’m just helping you to become normal],” he added after preaching religion.
“I’m not condemning you; I’m loving the Lord. Ako’y walang karapatang humusga, dahil kung alam mong—kung alam mo lang buhay ko [mas] masahol pa ako sayo, [I’m not condemning you; I’m loving the Lord. I do not have the right to judge, if you know—if only you know my life, I am worse than you],” the driver said.
The video reached over 1.6 million views, and many social media users expressed disappointment and frustration over the rider’s “unsolicited life advice” and insensitivity.
Despite the silence and discomfort of the user, the driver persisted.
“Tandaan mo ang buhay ay isa lang. Sa judgement day kapag di ka tumalima kay Hesus kasama ako. May nangaral sayo ng katotohanan, wala kang itatanggi. [Remember, we only have one life. On judgement day, if you did not follow Jesus along with me, [Remember] someone taught you the truth, you will have no excuse],” the driver added.
Often, religion clashes with sexual orientation and gender expression. The sparkle of queer individuals is dimmed by the archaic beliefs of self-righteous beings preaching the truth they claim to know. What do they truly understand about it? Yet, the LGBTQIA+ community has remained steadfast in their beliefs despite it all.
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