On July 18, artist Alex Diax recalled his journey after being outed as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
At the media conference for their Gameboys spin-off movie PaThirsty, Diaz described his experience getting ‘outed’ without his consent as a journey to ‘hell and back.’
“To being outed, both journeys was hell and back. It was like discovering yourself all over again. It’s like walking–being torn again. What you like, what you don’t like, and ultimately, what my whole journey has taught me, what matters is what you feel about yourself.”
In 2019, Diaz got outed by a fitness coach online, which resulted in him confirming his sexual orientation as bisexual.
Diaz then recounted how he almost left showbiz for life out of the spotlight while highlighting the relief he felt that he was finally out.
“I bought a ticket to Canada, and I was going to apply to Domino’s Pizza and natanggap ko na. And I apologized to my manager. Okay, tapos na ‘yung career ko, but at the same time, nakahinga ako ng sobrang– twenty-five years, it felt like I was holding my breath. And then, all of a sudden, this blanket has just been ripped off me–and all of a sudden, ganito pala mabuhay.”
Aside from narrating his journey, Diaz also addressed the struggles faced by the LGBTQIA+ communities in Asia because of the continent’s prevalently conservative culture.
“I think it is hard for people, particularly in Asia. We live in such a conservative culture. And unknowingly, people get punished for being who they are because they don’t fit the mold. But even within the community, people are–so vast, like from being in the closet.”
He then shared his realization throughout his experience of being outed and gave his advice to other LGBTQIA+ people struggling with coming out.
“And if you are at this point in your life where opinions of other people matter, wala eh, wala kang magagawa eh, people would have power over you, and if it would make you feel better to share yourself, then for me, do that.
“But if you are the kind of person/ who doesn’t give a damn what people think, then you are entitled to your privacy, and nobody has the right to steal that from you.”
Alex Diaz star in the Gameboys spin-off movie, ‘PaThirsty,’ alongside Gameboys stars Adrianna So and Kych Minemoto. Joining them are Chad Kinis, Bob Jbeili, and Kate Alejandrino.
Watch the sexy-comedy movie under the direction of Ivan Andrew Payawal, currently streaming on Vivamax.
