Due to the impact of this movie, this will not be one of those typical reviews I do on a TV series/drama. This will be slightly a bit more.
Before I go on, let me just give you some insights of a Philippine telenovella, as they used call it, titled ‘The Rich Man’s Daughter’. The drama is about a rich girl named Jade, whom was born into a rich family which is conservative and deep into Chinese tradition. Some how, despite having a boyfriend (David), she fell in love with another girl known as Althea, and BOOM! That’s where everything starts. The moment they fall in love was captured quite well in the series. The chemistry between Althea and Jade was obvious.
If you have not noticed, this is a drama about lesbians, or the Lesbians, Bisexual, Gays and Transgender (LBGT) community.
To be really honest, I decided to watch this novella because of the front poster of the series, which featured Jade Tanchingco (played by Rhian Ramos). I mean look at her!
But, there was something in the story line, and I continued watching despite the fact that the first episode was sort of a monologue, which I usually do not enjoy.
Anyway, a long story short – This novella has made me understand the struggles and hardships of LGBT community better. I admit, I used to wonder why would some girl want to be with another instead of with a man, but this novella has somehow explained that to me, though I must admit that I am still not for the idea of two people of the same sex ending up together.
Nonetheless, the novella has allowed me to think beyond the fact that LGBT is just about sexual preferences, as I now realize that the community is only hoping to have their choices in life respected. I mean, it is hard enough for them to realize and know they are going against the teachings of God, why should we, the straights, make their lives even more miserable by judging them?
While some may say ‘it is just a story a.k.a novella’, but you have to admit that such stories come from true stories, and if you look at our Malaysian society nowadays, such thing, as in how bad we treat LGBT is indeed happening. It is sad when we act like God and pass judgement over others we perceive as ‘wrong’.
Well, I know some of you will be quick to judge my opinion on LGBT based on this particular post (because that is how us humans are), but I would like to stress that while I still firmly believe that it is not right to be a lesbian, bisexual, gay, or transgender due to my religious beliefs, I also believe that we have no right to judge, bully and put them down.
These words from an article I found in the ‘Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry‘ sums up the best on how I feel about LGBTs: “Just because someone is a homosexual, does not mean that we persecute them, call them names, sue them for not agreeing with us or offending us, or get laws passed to silence them. We are to love them. Homosexuality is a sin, and like any other sin, it needs to be laid at the cross and forsaken. Yes, I know, easier said than done. That is true with all sins.”
Just to be clear, I have never treated any LGBT I know differently, and I most certainly do not mind being friends with them. I only have a slight, or rather big problem if the men start touching me because that’s when everything gets odd for me as a person who is straight. Else, I don’t have a problem with them.
If you find yourself constantly poking fun over LGBT’s, you should watch ‘The Rich Man’s Daughter’.
It is mind opening. Trust me.
