MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – There is a reason for the long acronym used to describe members of the queer community. LGBTQIA stands for “Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual.” (Biological) Woman is not part of the acronym for obvious reasons. But a man self-identifying himself as a woman has gained acceptance among many in the homosexual and heterosexual communities.

So for Senator Risa Hontiveros tagging Awra Briguela as a “woman” speaks of her lack of knowledge and expertise in authoring the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identify (SOGIE) Equality Bill in the Senate.

No public statement has ever been attributed to Awra self-identifying as a woman. Even his own father recognizes him as a “gay son.”

Even the popular TV host and actor Vice Ganda does not identify as a woman, but as a gay man.

It’s not all about semantics. It’s about sensitivity and full understanding of sexuality, sexual preference and sexual identity.

You’re welcome, Sen. Hontiveros!