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Miss Earth Philippines 2025 Joy Barcoma didn't hold back in a recent viral post, calling out individuals who use “gay personas” for entertainment and profit.

Miss Earth Philippines and digital content creator Joy Barcoma is among those taking a stand and joining the ongoing discussion about individuals involved in “bakla-baklaan” or straight men portraying gay people.

In a social media post, Joy reshared a statement from filmmaker Rodina Singh, who condemned a meme about “queerbaiting” and called out straight creators for using this as a cheap content strategy to profit from a community they don't actually support.

“Hindi puwedeng kinakain niyo ang kabaklaan namin habang kayo rin ang unang nananapak dito. Hindi puwedeng kumikita kayo sa bakla humor tapos kayo rin ang tumatawa sa homophobia, o mas malala, kayo mismo ang gumagawa nito,” Rodina wrote in the caption of her post.

She added, “Hindi puwedeng sabay kayong kumakain at naninira. Ang kakapal naman ng mga mukha niyo aba."

The filmmaker also explains that while these creators use gay humor for clout, the LGBTQIA+ community developed those same traits as a survival tool against discrimination.

“Ang okray ay hindi simpleng panlalait. Ito ang naging unang anyo ng depensa na pinayagan sa amin. Isang paraan para mag-clapback nang hindi pisikal, pero may tama,” she said.

Related gallery: Celebrities who are proud allies of the LGBTQIA+ community

In her caption, Joy pointed out that being gay is not an issue in the first place, and there is certainly nothing shameful about it.

According to her, the issue stems from individuals who profit by “cosplaying” as members of the LGBTQIA+ community but fail to support the community's rights and advocacies.

“Wala namang problema magbakla-baklaan dahil wala namang nakakahiya sa pagiging bakla. If anything being gay is being interesting kaya nga yun ang ginagawa niyong persona,” Joy wrote in her caption.

She continued, “Ang problema, kumikita kayo sa pagcocosplay ng “bakla” pero kapag panahon na para ibalik ang suporta sa komunidad na ginagawa niyong puhunan para kumita, tahimik kayo.”

The beauty queen also suggests that if creators are willing to mimic the mannerisms and humor of the community for views, they should also be willing to stand by them during times of systemic struggle and discrimination.

“KUNG KAYA NIYONG GAYAHIN ANG MGA BAKLA, DAPAT KAYA NIYO RIN TAHAKIN ANG MASUKAL NA DAAN AT MARANASAN ANG MASALIMUOT NA MUNDO PARA LANG SA KANILANG PAGTANGGAP,” Joy suggested.

To conclude her post, Joy called for active participation and advocacy for the queer community, urging people to use their voices to support the community in fighting for their rights and to love them for who they are.

“Makibaka kayo para sa kanila. Magsalita kayo para sa kanila. Higit sa lahat, mahalin niyo rin sila,” she wrote.

The queerbaiting issue was originally brought to light by influencer duo Macoy Dubs and Baus Rufo of Dogshow Divas.

In their podcast titled “Mga Nanay Niyong Galit,” they called out fellow content creators who profit from the LGBTQIA+ community by adopting gay personas but refuse to stand up for queer rights when it actually matters.

“'Yung mga straight na nagba-bakla baklaan na content, tigil niyo 'yan,” Macoy said during their podcast.

Baus added, “Queerbaiting. Tigil niyo 'yan ha."

The latter also expressed his disappointment that people can so easily resort to queerbaiting, while actual members of the community spend nearly their entire lives just trying to gain approval from others.

The content creator further emphasized that "pandering" to the community is often used as a shortcut to gain recognition and fame. He jokingly added that people should learn "allyship before clout."

“I mean, nakakaloka 'yung queerbaiting kasi tayong mga medyo matandang bading, we spent a good chunk of our lives trying to seek approval na ayaw ibigay sa 'tin,” Baus said.

He continued, “Tapos ngayon, 'Oh my god, we wanna pander to the gays.' You have to earn it naman. We're not saying we're not gonna give it to you, pero allyship muna, beh, bago clout.”

The duo, meanwhile, emphasized that rather than focusing on “queerbaiting,” the priority should be redirected toward the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill.

“Ipasa niyo muna 'yung SOGIE bill, diba?” Macoy said.

“Correct. Tuwang-tuwa kayo sa amin sa kabadingan tapos 'yung mga karapatan hindi tayo pantay-pantay? Papaano na, dear?” Baus added.

Macoy continued, “Ayusin niyo ang mga plataporma at ipasa niyo ang SOGIE bill.”

Related Gallery: IN PHOTOS: Celebs who are proud members of the LGBTQIA+ Community