Danton Remoto’s Text as a Counter-Discourse Against Homophobic Consciousness (Teksto ni Danton Remoto bilang Kontra-Diskurso Laban sa Homopobikong Kamalayan)

Abstract

Danton Remoto is known as one of the prominent writers who greatly contributed to Philippine gay literature. His texts may be considered as effective instruments for challenging and dismantling repressive homophobic consciousness that has been deeply rooted in our culture and society. Thus, selected texts by Remoto were examined as gay literature and as counter-discourse that presents metanarratives vis-à-vis the condemnation of prevailing homophobic consciousness in the Philippines. Using thematic and close reading approach in 16 selected essays from his three collections – Buhay Bading (2004), Rampa: Mga Sanaysay (2008) and Bright, Catholic, and – Gay (2011), four counter-discursive strategies were identified: 1) Hegemonic Oppressive Homophobic Ideology; 2) Humanization, and Strategy of Subverting Dominant Narratives; 3) Social Function and Competencies of Gays in Various Field; and 4) Reconceptualization of Gay Identity. This essay contributes to the expanding discourse on gay literature within cultural studies, queer studies, and Philippine Studies.

Kilala si Danton Remoto bilang isa sa mga tanyag na manunulat na may malaking ambag sa larang ng panitikang bakla sa Pilipinas. Maituturing ang kanyang mga teksto bilang mabisang kasangkapan upang hamunin, baligtarin, at buwagin ang mapanupil na homopobikong kamalayan na malalim nang naka-ugat sa ating kultura at lipunan. Kaya dinalumat ng papel na ito ang mga piling teksto ni Remoto bilang panitikang bakla at anyo ng kontra-diskurso na naglalahad ng mga metanaratibo hinggil sa pagkondena sa umiiral na homopobikong kamalayan sa Pilipinas. Sa tematikong dulog at malapitang pagbasa sa piling 16 teksto mula sa tatlong kalipunan ng sanaysay – Buhay Bading (2004), Rampa: Mga Sanaysay (2008) at Bright, Catholic, and – Gay (2011), nakabuo ng apat na kontra-diskursibong estratehiya ng manunulat: 1) Hegemonya ng Mapanupil na Homopobikong Ideolohiya; 2) Humanisasyon at Estratehiya ng Pagbaligtad sa Dominanteng Naratibo; 3) Panlipunang Gampanin at Kakayahan ng mga Bakla sa Iba’t Ibang Larangan; at 4) Rekonseptwalisasyon sa Identidad ng mga Bakla.