BEHIND the vibrant colors shown in a rainbow flag is a community so bereft of justice and equality. Host and popular GMA Network artist Raymond Gutierrez did not fail to recognize such stereotype in a post he uploaded on Instagram, August 2.
Living as a public figure whose surname rings a bell to many, Gutierrez had to keep his real identity for fear of receiving unfair judgment by today’s society.
“I went through a long period of time hating myself because society taught me that being different wasn’t the right path, especially for someone growing up in the public eye. I went through a dark phase of self destruction – creating unhealthy habits to have some sort of escape so I didn’t have to face my reality,” Gutierrez expressed.
As part of a family all working in the entertainment industry, he faced inner conflict knowing how his sexuality could affect his family’s reputation. “I kept things to myself because I was scared to bring shame to my family, and didn’t know how others would treat me,” he added.
It took the artist some time to embrace himself and flaunt confidence but the thought of denying his true color never existed in his mind.
“I was never not out, I never denied who I was. I just never shared my story publicly until now,” says Gutierrez on top of his long inspiring caption.
Reminiscing his dilemmas, Gutierrez once shared how he stumbled with bullies’ painful words ten years ago which drew a clear dichotomy between being gay back then and now. “It was totally different. You feel like a mutant. You walk in to backstage and people will say, ‘Ah, ‘di ba ‘yun ‘yung baklang kapatid ni Richard (oh, isn’t he Richard’s gay brother)’ like I can literally hear them.”
On August 1, Gutierrez publicly admitted that he is gay during an exclusive interview with Mega Entertainment Magazine for its 2021 August Issue.
“I’m here to formally say that I am a proud member of the LGBTQ community. And it feels great saying that publicly because I am,” says one of his highlighted quotations in the magazine.
Among several colleagues who showed appreciation and support for the artist on Instagram was his twin brother Richard Gutierrez who left three heart emoticons under the comment section of his first post after the public revelation.
Popular celebrities such as Sarah Lahbati, Anne Curtis-Smith, Kylie Verzosa, Bianca King, Jake Cuenca, Bubbles Paraiso, Isabelle Daza, Andi Eigenmann, Maggie Wilson, and many more showered Gutierrez with positive comments saying the artist made them proud and that it could ‘empower more people to come out’.
The TV personality further urged those who feel alone to gain self love, acceptance, and courage to show their true selves, emphasizing he holds a fair share of hope as much as others should have.
PHOTO CREDIT: gmanetwork.com)