HOSTING STINTS, having positions in orgs and even in the student council—since their establishment as an official bench ten years ago, the Dollhouse has had a definite impact on the Ateneo community. Judging from the vigor of the bench’s members, Ateneo is sure that the group will be around for a long time, spreading its members’ energy and its ideals of homosexual awareness and acceptance.

For its 10th year anniversary, the Dollhouse conducted a reunion of present members, alumni, and former Queen Mothers.

“We wanted to have a parade of the Queen Mothers, [so] we contacted the Queen Mother from each batch and they were the ones in charge of contacting their fellow Dollhousers,” said Queen Mother Sean Galvez.

The anniversary celebration was conducted last August 16 at the Dollhouse arena—the Dollhouse bench; however, Galvez clarified this is not their actual anniversary date.

“The traditional way is that we celebrate it during the last week of July either on a Monday or a Friday. But since this year, the elections were delayed, we had to move the anniversary celebration as well,” said Galvez.

Established in ‘97

Galvez said that despite the group celebrating its 10th year anniversary, Dollhouse actually started in 1997, when Romy Ruiz became the first Queen Mother and held the position for four years.

“We started counting the years of the Dollhouse from 2000, when the bench became an official Dollhouse bench,” said Galvez.

“Before this became the Dollhouse bench, it was occupied by students from Bicol,” said Vice Ganda Mico Suba. “But when they graduated, this spot was unoccupied, so Romy and his friends took over.”

As the years progressed, the Dollhouse has also changed the mode of selecting its leaders.

Sex-Gen Third Fernandez said that it was in 2006 when they started the elections for the Queen Mother and in 2007 when they had the elections for the other positions.

“To be hailed as the Queen Mother, they [former Dollhouse members] did not have elections. Rather, they had a pageant called Ms. Dollhouse. Whoever wins [would] be Queen Mother.”

Fernandez said it was also around 2006 to 2007 when the Dollhousers started becoming more known. “They started being active in different orgs, even in the Sanggu…they also started being known even by the freshmen when some Dollhousers became hosts [for the OrSem].”

As seen by the Ateneo community

Office of Student Activities Director Chris Castillo said that the dollhouse broadens the minds and perception of the people. “They make the community aware about them and help others understand more who they are, [and] I think this will produce lesser judgments.”

Communication Chair Severino Sarmenta Jr. agreed and said that the Dollhouse stirs two emotions from the community.

“First, there are those homophobic reactions. Considering that Ateneo before was an all boys school, it was new for most people especially the alumni to have such a group here,” said Sarmenta.

“Secondly, [they] present a change in the times. Gays are more open and confident about their sexuality to the point that they can create a group which they consider as a home.”

Aside from the impact they have on the community, Theology Professor Herman Rochester said that the Dollhouse also has an impact on homosexuals themselves.

“They present an avenue for people who are unsure of their sexuality and those who are afraid to come out, a place to stay where they are welcomed and accepted,” said Rochester.

Junior Keziah Irene Pono said that having a group like the Dollhouse encourages diversity. “[The Dollhouse] promotes a culture of acceptance and diversity, and it diminishes the sense of taboo against gays.”

Awareness

Fernandez said that the dollhouse presents a reality that there are homosexuals, too. “[We] aim to expose students to everything homosexual—our flamboyance, our personal expression such as fashion and make-up, our jargons, our noise, and our undying hunger for attention.”

However, Fernandez said they are not only here for the attention.  “We also maximize all potentials we have as we excel academically, host every event in school, lead in student organizations, and serve in the student government.”

In addition, Galvez said that the Dollhouse has brought ‘gayness’ to the next level. “We have [shown] the Ateneo community that being gay is not something to be looked down upon on but actually something to be proud of. Being different is actually good since your uniqueness shines through the crowd.”

Galvez added that for the next years they will still be here, spreading their goal to the community. “Our goal is to maintain all efforts to establish gay awareness and hopefully convert homophobes into gay-friendly people.”