'You are too feminine for the position'
Today, LGBTQ + communities around the world hold their own Pride, and one of those few is Andrew Militante, known to his followers as Channel Andy Ef. He has gone viral for channeling his femininity in the hypermasculine maritime world.
The 32-year-old is among the rising seafairies on social media as he proves that no one need to a masculine or a macho man to find themself working in a cargo ship.
“You are too feminine for the position. Yan mostly sinasabi nila saken. You are all right. This wasn’t even my dream job. I have a lot of reasons to give up, but I have more reasons to stay.
"Nabenta na yung motor, nabenta na yung kalabaw, mapag-aral lang kami. My sister who graduated Political Science applied as a Domestic Helper bec she can’t be hired as a fresh graduate and gusto nya agad makatulong sa parents namin para ma push yung pag aaral naming magkakapatid. In short, she gave up her dreams for the sake of her sibling’s future," he added.
He was offered a scholarship by Maersk in college, one of the world's largest shipping companies in the world.
He is now a second officer at the company, in charge of the ship's navigation, functions as a medical officer and watchman, a two levels away to reach his captain goal.
"I am feminine. But there’s nothing more stronger and manly than someone who is trying hard to fit in a world which is way out of his nature. Being judged? Discriminated?
"Underestimated? YES!
"Na immune na ako. But still here I am, still surviving. Just holding on to a dream that my family built for me. My will to give up has been overshadowed by a dream to persevere," he said.
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