ANALYTICAL PAPER: WAS RIZAL GAY?

BY J. NEIL C. GARCIA

Submitted by:

Castillo, Paulo V.

Guimbangunan, Joshua Francis

Minas, Arjay D.

Morla, Pier Paulo P.

Nacional, Joshua

Nidea, Mac Grey A.

Pauig, Apolinario C.

Santiago, Brix B.
 ANALYTICAL PAPER: WAS RIZAL GAY? BY J. NEIL C. GARCIA

Several scholars and historians have argued regarding the sexual orientation of Dr. Jose

Rizal. In an Article of J. Neil C. Garcia Titled “Was Rizal Gay?” has intensified the arguments

putting forward that Jose Rizal might have been homosexual. In this paper, will explore the

gender-related aspects of Garcia’s arguments, with the goal of showing that the evidence

presented doesn’t conclusively prove that Rizal was gay.

To start with, we must understand the gender norms in Rizal’s time and present era. In

the 19th Century, the term homosexuality did not exist, in which Garcia pointed out that there

were effeminate men but they are defined by their choice of occupations and womanlike

features. Also, the concept of identifying as gay due to having feelings for the same sex wasn't

really a thing. People back then might have been in same-sex relationships, but they didn't

necessarily see it as a part of a specific sexual orientation like we do now.

Garcia put forth some ideas that suggest Rizal might have been gay. He points out how

Rizal wrote very affectionate letters to his friends, which wasn't common at that time and could

imply they were really close. However, it's important to consider the context of Rizal's time.

Boys and girls went to separate schools, even in small villages and big schools in Manila. So,

having close connections with the same gender might have been normal back then due to how

they spent their time. During that era, men openly showed strong emotional bonds because of

cultural norms of friendship and brotherhood. Rizal's strong relationships with his male friends

could reflect the emotional atmosphere of his time, rather than directly indicating his sexual

orientation.
 ANALYTICAL PAPER: WAS RIZAL GAY? BY J. NEIL C. GARCIA

Of particular interest is the relationship between Rizal and Ferdinand Blumentritt, a key

figure in Garcia's article. Blumentritt's correspondence with Rizal has been interpreted by some

as indicative of a more intimate connection. Some sources stated that there is no evidence to

suggest that Jose Rizal and Ferdinand Blumentritt had a romantic relationship. According to

“Letters between Rizal and Blumentritt”, Rizal and Blumentritt had a close and intimate

friendship, mentorship, and confidant relationship. He also considered Blumentritt as his father,

brother, and friend, while Blumentritt looked upon Rizal as his son, brother, and friend. Garcia,

nonetheless, argued that the way Rizal ended his letters to Blumentritt, often with the phrase "I

embrace you," suggests a high level of intimacy. Their letters also contained expressions of

affection, including declarations of love and exchanged mementos. Such displays of emotion

were not uncommon among men of that era, and these connections could vary from profound

friendships to romantic feelings. The liberal use of endearments does not necessarily imply

romantic attraction in the modern sense. In an era marked by emotional openness between

male friends, expressions of affection did not necessarily denote homosexuality.

Rizal was involved in previous relationships and even intended to get married at least

twice in his life. According to Wikipedia, Rizal had plans to marry Leonor Rivera while he was

still in the Philippines because of her loyalty to him. However, Todd Sales' article "The Doomed

Love of Jose Rizal and Leonor Rivera" mentions that Rizal's father prevented him from seeing

Rivera, and Rivera's mother favored an Englishman named Henry Kipping, which eventually led

to Rivera's marriage to Kipping. Another instance is Rizal's proposal to Nelly Bousted, which

didn't succeed because he was unwilling to give up his Catholic faith and convert to
 ANALYTICAL PAPER: WAS RIZAL GAY? BY J. NEIL C. GARCIA

Protestantism, as Nelly had requested. While Rizal's attempts at romantic relationships with

women didn't work out, it's evident that he wasn't gay.

The ongoing debate about Dr. Jose Rizal's sexual orientation, sparked by J. Neil C.

Garcia's article "Was Rizal Gay?", lacks definitive evidence. Rizal's era lacked modern concepts

of homosexuality, complicating conclusions about his orientation. Separation of genders in

schools and cultural norms muddle the assessment of Rizal's relationships. Garcia's focus on

affectionate letters must consider emotional norms of his time. Rizal's close bonds with male

friends reflect an emotionally open era more than clear sexual orientation. His relationship with

Ferdinand Blumentritt, though affectionate, aligns with male friendship norms. Rizal's past

romantic relationships with women highlight his heterosexuality. Labeling Rizal gay using

modern standards overlooks historical context's complexities. Garcia's arguments suggest

insights but don't definitively determine Rizal's sexual orientation due to historical context's

nuances and limitations of information.