Baklaan o babaihan: the essence of being a gay who pay and are being paid for sex.

Abstract

The study of the ‘Baklaan-Babaihan’ phenomenon is a phenomenological constructivist study on the lived experiences of Filipino gays who are paying and being paid for sex. Using a qualitative method of in-depth interview, with a purposive sample of 13 participants, the study provided a description of the ‘Baklaan-Babaihan’ phenomenon that is reflective of the experiences of the gays themselves.

The data were analyzed for bracketing, clustering and integration of structural and textural constituents resulting to a total of 11 themes, which were divided into 4 major categories: 1) of being a gay, 2) the beginning of the sexual encounter, 3) of paying and being paid for sex and 4) the consequences.

The study evoked that there are various factors such as: curiosity, peer influence and pleasure and satisfaction that push a gay to engage in such sexual activity. However, it was found out that the gays’ motivation to continue the sexual engagement is their need for love and belongingness in a hope to find a secure and lasting relationship. Moreover, a gay’s decision in a certain sexual engagement may reflect both a transition and a choice that occurs simultaneously in the course of a gay’s lifetime.

In conclusion, the gays’ act of being paid and paying for sex are influenced by various factors which continuously motivate the gay to continue the sexual act. Moreover, these acts serve as a reflection of the gays’ need to love and be loved just as any heterosexual need for love and belongingness. It is recommended that this study be conducted and compared to a heterosexual encounter as in the case of male or female escort services. Moreover, it is highly recommended to conduct future studies on gays’ subjective perception towards contracting Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Infection, and most importantly, that of HIV-AIDS.