When Home Becomes a Battle: Filipino LGBTQ+ Reactions to Burkina Faso’s Crackdown
In the lively ambiance of Manila’s pride celebrations and the sultry evenings in Cebu, the LGBTQ+ community in the Philippines is deeply affected by the unsettling news from Burkina Faso. This distant nation, on September 1, 2025, witnessed its Transitional Legislative Assembly passing a law that criminalizes consensual same-sex relationships, imposing prison terms ranging from two to five years and substantial fines. This move, perceived as a severe blow to privacy and equality by Human Rights Watch, reflects the authoritarian grip of a military regime amidst a shrinking space for civil liberties.
Shared Struggles Across Borders
Imagine Alex, a 28-year-old from Quezon City, who, while enjoying a meal of adobo and rice, feels his heart heavy as he looks at his news feed. “Home should be a sanctuary, not a prison,” he conveys in a voice message, his voice trembling. The recent enactment in Burkina Faso, its first legislation against same-sex love, echoes the oppressive laws that many Filipino LGBTQ+ individuals have either resisted or escaped. Previously, Burkina Faso managed to avoid the colonial-era sodomy laws that affected its neighbors, yet the Justice Minister, Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, asserts that the new legislation aligns with “deep societal aspirations” and “cultural values.” For Alex, this development is a painful reminder: “We’ve championed SOGIE bills here; seeing this feels like re-entering our own closets.”
In Davao, Mia, a 32-year-old transgender activist, responds with a mix of frustration and sadness. “While they outlaw our existence, conflict rages,” she remarks, alluding to Burkina Faso’s turmoil, Islamist attacks leaving thousands dead and military operations resulting in tragedies like the massacres in Nondin and Soro, where 223 civilians perished. According to Human Rights Watch’s 2025 report, the country endured the loss of 6,000 civilians in 2024, alongside 2.3 million displaced and a junta that suppresses media and dissenters. Yet, they focus on targeting us? Mia criticizes the junta’s tactics: “This is a diversion, using LGBT identities as a tool for control, a concern echoed by African activists.”France 24 highlights this callout from Amnesty International.
Resilience and Unity
Despite the anguish, there’s also defiance. In online Filipino queer forums, reactions blend with sharp wit: “Does the junta believe imprisoning love will quell the movement? Think again,” jokes one user from Pampanga. Meanwhile, a lesbian couple in Baguio draws parallels with global victories, such as the recent repeals in Botswana and Namibia. “Our battle in the Philippines continues, but regarding Burkina Faso, we acknowledge you and send our support.”
Under the leadership of Ibrahim Traoré, Burkina Faso’s junta integrates this legislation into a broader “Persons and Family Code,” amidst discussions of reinstating the death penalty and forming alliances in the Sahel.France 24 portrays this as part of a larger oppressive strategy. For queer Filipinos, the issue is deeply personal; it hurts when regimes use “culture” as a weapon against love. Yet through our narratives, joy shared over kare-kare and the tears shed at pride rallies, we find resilience. Alex encapsulates it perfectly: “They may outlaw love, but we will love even more boldly.” The shadows cast by Burkina remind us of our shared struggle: to keep fighting, united in spirit. Because home? It’s where we will create healing.
