MANILA, Philippines - Homosexuality is not a sin but it’s a lie from the devil. Do not be deceived. God loves gays and wants them to know the truth.” This is what Miriam Quiambao, former beauty queen, announced on her Twitter feed that began a deluge of anger in cyberspace and an outpouring of love and affirmation for the LGBT community who were most offended by the statement.
This has been building momentum since Quiambao had given her statement against the Miss Universe Pageant committee’s decision to allow transgender women to compete, prompting the former finalist to tweet “transgenders should not be allowed to join the MissU because it is only for REAL women.” She even sent a tweet to Donald Trump asking, “What happened to the essence of a woman? The Miss Universe Pageant should be for natural born women.”
Honestly? I don’t know what the big fuss is all about, really. At the very heart of the matter is the decision to include transgender women in a beauty pageant. That pageant is run by Donald Trump and his committee, and if they feel that transgender women can join then it is their choice. It’s their money that pays for everything and it’s them who profits if people watch.
I have long stopped watching the Miss Universe pageant. I find it sexist and archaic. I truly believe that the “true essence of a woman” will be decided in much more intellectual arenas and by far more intelligent people than beauty queens.
I don’t think Quiambao was putting down the LGBT community; she was just saying that she believes that only natural born women should compete in the Miss Universe pageant. That’s her opinion and she has a right to it. She meant no disrespect and says she loves gays. She seems to be privy to a “truth” that has spared her from the devil’s deception. What that is, though, we don’t know for certain. But good for her! I’m glad she knows God’s truth.
The LGBT community has suffered worse indignities and by far more hateful people. They have suffered discrimination, physical and emotional abuse, and expulsion from larger set of societies. Fundamentalist Muslims are still killing gays in the Middle East and talking about gay issues is a criminal offense in St. Petersburg and three other cities in Russia. What Miriam Quiambao thinks about the LGBT is a tiny hurdle, really. Insignificant compared to the real battles that the cause has still yet to fight.
What is wonderful is the amount of love and validation that the LGBT community received from people who are not part of their number but were also offended by the remark. This brings to mind an article I read about how a group of Christians attended Chicago Gay Pride and wore t-shirts and carrying signs saying “I’m sorry” and apologizing for the way the LGBT community had been treated by the church. That is a victory right there, that’s the good fight.
I think the true essence of a woman is a mystery and the answer will change as time and society does. What will not change and is something we can grasp in this lifetime is the true essence of love, and peace, and equality. It is found in the ability to accept anybody into your life, regardless of race, gender, physical appearance, or life choices that they’ve made. Don’t tell me that you believe in love and equality but then exclude someone for any reason. That is a lie and I’ll call you on it.
So, really, let’s not lose our heads over whether or not transgender women can compete in the Miss Universe; it doesn’t matter in the larger scheme of things. Let Miriam Quiambao have her opinions and God’s truth. We have a bigger fight to win – a world where all of this will no longer matter, a world where we can all work together regardless of who we are and what we believe in. World peace. That’s all, thank you.