After Coming Out to Filipino Immigrant Parents, Gay Man Learns to Stop Seeking Approval From Others.

Рет қаралды 7,091

Жыл бұрын

Growing up with Filipino immigrant parents, Justin Senense always loved hearing the affirming Tagalog word, “anak”, which translates to “my child” or “my son.” When he came out to his parents as an adult, however, he didn’t hear anak and instead was met with disbelief, denial,and disapproval. As an actor, Justin always tried to channel his emotions into the arts, so when the opportunity came to deliver a deeply personal monologue in an acting class, he chose his coming out story and delivered it to a classmate who emitted the same energy and spirit as his mom. After a heartfelt and tearful delivery, Justin realized that while he was still his parents’ son, he didn’t require their approval, and that he should focus on loving himself instead. And as he did,his parents followed along - and began calling him anak again.
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Пікірлер: 27

@jimoverly8139 Жыл бұрын

Such a heartfelt story... thank you for being the real you. I finally came out at 55 and I feel like a whole person now.💜

@okimlistening2u Жыл бұрын

Jim I came out also at age 55 and to be able to do so was the greatest gift of God. I am grateful.........Ray

@tatsf Жыл бұрын

Beautiful, thanks for sharing it with us, Justin! My first LTR was with a Filipino man many years ago. I was 21 and he was 18. He came out to his immigrant parents (in NYC) when I came to pick him up to go back to college. His father cried, his older brother threatened to beat me up, and his mother said "Oh, I always knew. Here, you two take some food back to school with you!". I'm glad to hear that you have a good relationship with your parents today.

@rainb5987 7 ай бұрын

Filipino Moms and Sisters: We always knew.

@batmannewyork Жыл бұрын

I’m always heart broken when a reaction of a parent or loved one learning of their child coming out as LGBTQIA+ says something along the lines of “what do we do wrong?” Such a tragic comment and shows just how ingrained in our societies anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiment is in our society. The feelings of shame, fear, sadness that hit those of us who are LGBTQIA+ identifying. These feelings often are responsible for driving us to fear, and rejection of self and inevitably rejection of others. You have such a beautiful story and the power of being able to walk through your own pain in your art of acting shows how incredibly powerful true self acceptance is and gives that great sense of the beginning of realizing that you are indeed beautiful and in your gayness, you’ve always been a beautiful person. I’m so happy to hear that they, your parents, were able to journey into acceptance of you and through you, acceptance of themselves, and hopefully they’ve healed and in doing so have come to realize that they raised a beautiful son, whom they’ve always loved. This beautiful story reminds me that in our journeys of coming out, that journey isn’t just insular, and because we exist in community, family, societies, our coming out is part of other’s lives, those who loved, love and will love us. Sometimes in that journey they get lost too, perhaps reject us (and in so doing reject a part of themselves), but hopefully, as in your story, those folks in our lives, like your mom and dad, come back to love. Thank you for sharing. ❤

@davidsheppard1362 Жыл бұрын

It's a terrible thing for a son to be rejected by his parents, but you were brave. Never be ashamed of who you are. You don't need anyone's approval.

@ronsmith2241 Жыл бұрын

Deeply moving. Thanks. My wife of 51 years who had MS 26 years has recently passed. I loved her and was her carer. But as a gay man I am FINALLY free to be who I am.

@donaldewert2332 Жыл бұрын

I am sorry to hear about your wife. I'm sure you did love her. I feel moved to tell you that God knows your heart!! Take Care.

@DannyLTerry Жыл бұрын

I loved your story, this came deep down from the souj. I am happy that life for you is getting better by the day. You are now a walking inspiration TO SO many. much more love

@okimlistening2u Жыл бұрын

Justin this is a fabulous account of the gift of God to his child. You are beautiful in every sense of the word. God bless you and keep you safe and sound today and everyday of your life. I am very happy for you and your partner.........Ray

@VAMPYRICBASSIST 8 ай бұрын

What a story! I want to give every single person who has gone through this a big hug.❤❤❤

@jeffbassin630 Жыл бұрын

What a wonderful story!

@yuie__letstalk6071 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your story, ❤️

@person7200 Жыл бұрын

I am crying right now 😭😭😭

@andrewaway Жыл бұрын

Wow. That is powerful. ❤❤

@steveapplebaugh2200 Жыл бұрын

Wow! I love these stories, and Justin's is so sweet. Thank you for excellent postings!

@gpt76 Жыл бұрын

You’re a really good man with a wonderful family..

@dbaker5036 Жыл бұрын

He so cute

@rahvp Жыл бұрын

You are brave and worthy and deserving of love and acceptance. I’m inspired by your story.

@michaelflinn7784 Жыл бұрын

Wow wow wow. I just fell in love with this wonderful man 💞. Beautiful history.

@TheMohawk102 Жыл бұрын

ANAK ANAK ANAK ANAK ANAK ANAK .

@rydergw Жыл бұрын

Great story and great parents. :-)

@vistaprime Жыл бұрын

heartfelt story and good on him. However, most if not all Filipino, men are met are gay -- married or not. I had a female friend who said "is there a straight Filipino?"🤷🏾‍♂. So I am not sure what's so shocking to his parents. I am sure his dad isn't straight either.