Gay beauty pageants and early morning conversations on politically correct terms (or lack thereof) in the Tagalog language

One of my dear friends, via text, so early in the morning: "Anó ang politically correct term ng baklâ?"

Me: No exact word, but roughly: effeminate homosexual.

Her: No, in Tagalog.

Me: Ah. Walâ because we are currently an unsophisticated people. But Tagalog used to have one: bayog-ín. It is archaic, but some scholars have revived its usage.

Note, though, that baklâ is largely pejorative whilst bayog-ín is neutral-to-positive. The latter is obviously older and comes from a more sophisticated past.

Addendum: There is also binabaé (for boys) and binalaki (for girls), but these are in reference to transgender, not homosexuality.

Her: Oh, okay. Salamat. I was asking kasí I saw a news clip kanina when I was on the bus going home. And Pinky Webb said 'mga badíng'. And I found it off-key.

Me: Yes, it's always off-key. It's roughly the equivalent of "faggot" or "nigger" on American television. They would never openly say it on air. Dito kebs kasí tangá tayo. Ha ha!

Her: I know! She was talking about a gay beauty pageant, BTW.

Me: Ah, gay beauty pageants. Where gay men are always assumed to be the same as transgender.

Her: I would post this conversation on Facebook.

Me: I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING!

Me: I actually get up at around 10:30, but I read your message, and couldn't go back to sleep unless I answered you. Damn you!

Image: http://www.iias.nl/nl/35/iias_nl35_13.pdf

Adorations to Hera

I'm sure you're all (?) aware of the adoration trend going on in the polytheistic quarters of the Internet. I couldn't resist making one for Hera.

I drew a lot from her ancient epithets, but also added in my own experiences with her (I use 'mother' a lot, as you may notice). One other source is Ceisiwr Serith's prayer to the cow-mother Gwouwindā, which I absolutely adore.



I adore you, Hera.
I adore you, undoubted queen.
I adore you, splendid daughter of Rheia and Kronos.
I adore you, grandchild of broad-breasted Gaia and wide-arching Ouranos.
I adore you, sister and wife of loud-thundering Zeus.
I adore you, mother of peerless Ares.
I adore you, mother of youthful Hebe.
I adore you, mother of skillful Hephaistos.
I adore you, foster-mother of many gods.
I adore you, born in Samos.
I adore you, raised in Argos.
I adore you, mother of cows.
I adore you whose stream of blessings is ever-flowing.
I adore you whose shining body delights the eyes.
I adore you whose holy purity blesses all.
I adore you, nourishing one.
I adore you, fertile one.
I adore you, abundant and gracious.
I adore you, providing milk overflowing.
I adore you, lady of the pomegranate.
I adore you, lady with the lotus-staff.
I adore you, queen of heaven.
I adore you, bringer of sweet rain.
I adore you, kindler of stars.
I adore you, sending cool gales.
I adore you, shining heifer.
I adore you, dreaded lioness.
I adore you, cuckoo.
I adore you, drawn by peacocks.
I adore you, attended by the seasons.
I adore you, mother of kings.
I adore you, mother of heroes.
I adore you, source of sovereignty.
I adore you, highly crowned.
I adore you, knowing heaven and earth.
I adore you, mother of law and order.
I adore you, exalted one.
I adore you, mother of people.
I adore you, protector of women.
I adore you, patron of marriage.
I adore you, keeper of keys.
I adore you, protector at childbirth.
I adore you, keeper of harmony.
I adore you, faithful one.
I adore you, my lady, my queen, my mother.

Other adorations:

• Adorations to Dionysos (thehouseofvines.wordpress.com)
• Adorations to Persephone (melittabenu.wordpress.com)
• Adorations to Hephaistos (aithaloeistheos.wordpress.com)
• Adorations for Apollon (lykeiaofapollon.wordpress.com)
• Adorations of Hekate (flamingthyrsos.wordpress.com)
• Adorations for Hermes (inahawksi.wordpress.com)
• Adorations for Athena (youngflemishhellenist.wordpress.com)
• Adorations for Zeus (youngflemishhellenist.wordpress.com)
• Adorations for Antinous (aediculaantinoi.wordpress.com)
• Adorations of Ares (aspisofares.wordpress.com)
• Sannion adores the trend he started 

I hope we get to see more!

Hail and be thou well, 2012!

Have a happy and prosperous New Year, friends. Never fail to live life excellently, and to be excellent towards as many people and non-people as you can.