Megan going proactive in her pro-LGBTQ pursuits

Megan Young

Megan Young has always considered herself an ally of LGBTQ people—many of whom she works with, “loves dearly” and are part of her “inner circle.”

But merely voicing out support for the community, she conceded, isn’t enough. She knows that she has to put in the work and find more concrete ways to help.

“Yes, I’m an ally. But in retrospect, you have to think, ‘How can I help the community I support?’ I want to be more proactive. That’s what I’m working on this year and the next,” the actress-beauty queen said in a video interview.

The GMA 7 star related that she has been doing her own research and turning to online resources to help educate herself on how she can become more effective in championing a community close to her heart.

“I hope LGBTQ people can have the same rights as everyone else, and that’s what we’re all trying to push for with the Sogie (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression) Equality Bill. We want to make sure that they don’t experience discrimination in the workplace,” she said. “I hope we all get treated as equals in terms of what we do and who we love.”

In line with Pride Month this June, Megan has agreed to participate in “VersUs: The TaskUs Battles”—an esports (electronic sports) exhibition game for a cause. At the event—to be streamed on TaskUs’ and Megan’s Facebook pages tomorrow at 6 p.m.—the actress will square off with gamer Red Fernandez in a Mobile Legends fundraising match.

The proceeds will benefit LoveYourself PH, a community of volunteers that conducts HIV/AIDS awareness programs. It also offers HIV counseling, testing, treatment and life-coaching, not only to LGBTQ people, but to anyone in need of assistance.

“It’s nice to be able to do things you’re passionate about for the good of others,” said the Miss World 2013 titleholder who, unknown to some, is also an avid video gamer and streamer.

Gaming remains a male-dominated world, where female and LGBTQ gamers experience various forms of discrimination every so often.

“Video gaming is traditionally an activity for men. But there are a lot of women and LGBTQ people into gaming these days. And it can be tough for us because there are people telling us that we’re not good enough. And some people would leave derogatory comments, even on my stream,” she told the Inquirer.

“I have seen a post by a pro transwoman gamer who has competed internationally. And she also said that it can be difficult with critics questioning her … But she made sure to prove to them that who she is has nothing to do with her skills,” she added.

Megan also takes offense at gamers who disparagingly use the term “bakla” to mean “coward” during matches.

“I get to play with men, women, LGBTQ people. And when people use that word in a derogatory manner, I point out that it isn’t right and doesn’t help the community,” she said.

More than a fundraising activity, Megan said “VersUs” could very well provide her and Red a chance to raise some of the issues they face as gamers.