Philippines gay actors

Pride month or not, we are cheering on these 17 Filipino celebrities who have come out bravely, proudly strutting their stuff, heads high up.

KLEA PINEDA

Identifies as: Gay

"My 24th birthday is extra special since I finally mustered up the courage to come out to the world as my true authentic self.

"I am still the same Klea that you loved and supported throughout the years.

Kumbaga it answered a lot of questions.” (August 17, 2014, Aquino & Abunda Tonight)

BB GANDANGHARI

Identifies as: Transgender woman

"Kahit hindi ka nagme-makeup, kahit hindi ka tumitili, nasa puso yung pagiging gay.

Sheryn Regis – 2000s songstress

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Image credit: @sherynregis via Instagram

Millennial Filipinos would know Sheryn Regis, the 1st runner-up in the 2002 televised singing contest Star in a Million.

After the competition, she released several albums and sang numerous teleserye theme songs in the 2000s.

Elijah Canlas

Elijah surpasses other contenders with his acting prowess, earning accolades for his performances in various gay films like "Kalel," "He Who Is Without Sin," and "About Us But Not About Us." His talent is undeniable, and he continues to be a promising and bankable actor, with a notable role in the hit BL series "Gameboys."

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In the same year, she was also included in TIME magazine’s 25 Most Influential Teens in 2018.

Didal just got engaged to her long-time girlfriend this year.

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4. Coco Martin

Coco Martin initially explored gay roles in indie films, showcasing both his talent and fearlessness. For the nth time, I am Pansexual." (September 12, 2020, Twitter)

DEIRDRE veneracion

Identifies as: Lesbian

To her dad Ian Veneracion: "I like girls." (March 5, 2020, Magandang Buhay)

PAOLO BALLESTEROS

Identifies as: Gay

"Ako kasi yung tao na kung ano yung nakikita mo, ganun kasi pananaw ko, e, sa sarili ako.

Throughout her transition journey, she remains happily married to her wife of 11 years, TV personality Joey Mead King.

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9. Paolo Pangilinan

Paolo's career soared when he took on a pivotal role in the groundbreaking BL series "Gaya Sa Pelikula," which not only captivated local audiences but also gained international recognition, sparking dedicated fandoms for his character Vlad with co-star Karl.

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Martin Del Rosario

Martin Del Rosario gained prominence for his roles in "Panti Sisters" and "Born Beautiful." Notably, he portrayed a gay character in a poignant episode of "Maalaala Mo Kaya" titled "Headband." Later, he ventured into the live adaptation of "Voltes V Legacy" as Prince Zardo.

7. Sabi nga nila, kung saan ka magiging maligaya, doon ka." (July 17, 2016, Philippine Entertainment Portal)

angelina king

Identifies as: Transgender woman

Tagging his wife, she writes: "Best hangover cure @joeymead."

Joey Mead: "Freedom" (July 2, 2016, Instagram)

Rosanna Roces

Identifies as: Bisexual

"Alam mo rin kung paano ako magpalit ng lalaki noon, parang nagpapalit lang ng damit.

Kyne – Canada-based drag queen

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Image credit: @onlinekyne via Instagram

Drag Race fans who’s watched every edition of the show should know Kyne, a Filipino Canada’s Drag Race contestant in 2020.

Nowadays, the drag queen teaches math on TikTok. But even before her Olympic bid, the skateboarder had made waves in the sports scene.

In 2018, she became the first-ever skateboarding gold medalist at the Asian Games.

It was the opposite of everything that I felt before." (June 19, 2017, Instagram and Twitter)

Prince Stefan

Identifies as: Gay

"I appreciate the people who are happy for me. Pero yun nga, tapos na, wala akong natututunan, di ba?

This transformation has played a pivotal role in fostering acceptance among Filipino men struggling with their own sexual identities, particularly in a country where the stigma faced by the LGBTQ+ community remains a significant challenge. 

It's perplexing that, in the Philippines, a nation that espouses being gay-friendly, the long-awaited SOGIE Bill still languishes in legislative limbo, with many lawmakers refusing to endorse this essential legislation aimed at protecting the rights of gay individuals. The reality is far from the perception of a truly inclusive society, as discrimination and harassment against LGBTQ+ individuals persist.

The actor was in the children’s gag show alongside actresses Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes.

In 2019, Jallorina came out as gay and now identifies as trans and non-binary, with the pronouns she/her.

Recently, the actor made a call on Twitter to let trans actors play trans characters. But due to prejudice, some remain discouraged to embody who they really are.

Still, there are people – including famous personalities – who are breaking social norms in the country and making a name for themselves.