Ocbina, Hannah Isabela S.

February 05, 2020

11 STEM – Ocampo Submitted by: Ms. Mona Jariño

Social Issues: Use of Social Media and Discrimination against the LGBTQA+
members of community

There are a lot of social issues happening in the Philippines. The reason why I chose

these two is because I know that I can help and contribute in a way that I had experienced things

that are related to these issues I will be talking about. It is about the use of social media and the

acceptance of the society to the members of LGBTQA+ community. These two has always been

a big issue in my country. Some people may find these issues sensitive but to be able to speak

here in front of you, now is my chance to stand for the things that is right and to speak not only

for myself but also for others who are afraid to open up regarding about these issues.

Most individuals are very dependent in using social media. Each of them especially

teenagers, almost have accounts to famous social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter,

Instagram, and YouTube. There are good sides of social media but there is also a bad side to it.

Social media is often used to bully a person based on their looks and personality. Due to this, it

can affect a person’s physical, social, and mental health. This can result to having low self-

esteem as a person keeps on comparing himself/herself to others whom they see as a trend for

this generation’s so-called beauty standards, lack of friends as a person’s life only depends on

social media and doesn’t care about the people surrounding him/her, and worst scenario, have

eating and mental disorders like depression and anxiety.

 Next big issue is the LGBTQA+, this consists of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender,

Queer, Asexual and many more. Some people are not aware of the different sexualities that is

why they easily mock and tease those who are a part of it. Others always associate LGBT in

terms of religion and cultural beliefs to the point that we are taught that having difference with

sexuality is bad — shameful, unusual, disgusting. Yes, it is stated in the Bible that God created

only a man and a woman but, isn’t also stated in the Bible to respect one another? To love one

another? And to treat each other as sisters and brothers? It is okay to not support those who are a

member of the LGBTQA+ community but at least we should respect them. Each individual has

the rights to express themselves in whatever possible way they want as long as they do not cause

harm to others. I have a lot of friends who is a part of the LGBTQA+ but is afraid to show their

true identity. It can be because their parents don’t accept their sexuality, their friends do not

support them, which often leads them to being abused and bullied. As a result, they will rebel

and be engaged to drugs and alcohol.

I am not only here to stand for myself but also for the sake of others. For those who are

not confident with their body, afraid to be judged, been abused and bullied, scared to let others

know their sexuality. You don’t have to feel these things. You have to make something positive

out of something negative. That is my life motto as I also had been bullied just because of my

looks. Let us all put those negative thoughts away and be full of love and positivity. Once again,

let us stop these issues and instead love, support and respect one another. Let us make world

peaceful and united. That’s all thank you.