DESPITE the traction of queer literature, misconceptions and stereotypes continue to persist, with genres like Boys’ Love (BL) and Girls’ Love (GL) often reduced to “explicit depictions of same-sex relations.”
Mitchelle “Mitch” Balladares, a National Book Development (NBDB) officer, said in a seminar on Jan. 31 that many people misunderstand the depth and diversity of queer literature.
“[Queer stories] are very nuanced. Ang daming themes on family, on trying to find your own identity, and coming into terms to who you are,” Balladares told the Varsitarian.
Balladares said that because of these stereotypes, many queer writers are hesitant to share their work. “Dahil dito, marami pa rin tayong writers na nahihiya pa rin magsulat ng kanilang mga pieces,” she said.
The NBDB officer underscored the contribution of queer literature in representing the LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual) community in media.
She said queer stories can be a tool for social change in terms of the ongoing effort to pass the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill.
“Ang importance niya talaga is to have representation and to reclaim the space for our LGBTQIA community. Our SOGIE bill is still a bill, and it’s something that we have to push towards,” Balladares, an alumna of De La Salle University’s creative writing program, said.
Amid the drawbacks faced by writers in the Philippines, Balladares urged Thomasian creative writing students interested in queer literature to just start writing.
“You cannot edit a blank page. You can just write. That’s the first key to writing BL and GL,” she said.
Balladares is known for exploring themes of feminism, queerness, and postmodernism, with her works appearing in literary journals like “Katitikan: Literary Journal of the Philippine South” in 2019, “Luntian: Online Journal for Creative Works” in 2020, and “The Muse Canada” in 2022.
Balladares’ lecture is part of the “Authors on Demand” series made by the University’s Creative Writing Department.
It is a series of lectures with topical discussions that seek to highlight career opportunities for creative writing majors.
This marks the first session of the “Authors on Demand” series, which started last year as a seminar in a creative writing class.
The next “Authors on Demand” lecture will be held on Feb. 7.
