Rajo Laurel, fashion designer

I?M amused. [BB?S case is] interesting, but it shouldn?t be taken lightly because other people are going through this. People look up to these people because they?re always in the news.

I?m not sure if he?s sending the right message because he?s saying he ?killed Rustom Padilla.? That?s confusing. He should take responsibility for his actions. If he wants us to be sympathetic with him, totoo ba ito? Only time will tell.

As a homosexual myself, my heart goes out to him. It?s not easy. It?s not a joke. But his 15 minutes might be over soon, and I don?t want that to be the impression of transgender persons.

This is a psychological thing he?s undergoing. Among us homosexuals, I think it?s a joke. Nanlilinlang ka. But tingnan natin. Napakaaga.

Jackie Aquino, fashion director

Who knows if it?s real or just seeking attention? The issue here is the intention ... Those who are serious do it quietly.

Sass Rogando Sasot, transgender activist

There are many ways for us to cope with changing our lives. It?s [BB?s] way. I don?t believe it?s a question of her being serious or not serious ? I saw BB on TV and Boy Abunda asked whether she was babae or bakla. BB said, ?I?m a human being.?

What she?s doing is revolutionary, especially since she was a matinee idol. What BB is doing now is exercising her freedom as a human being?not as a man or a woman?to express her gender.

I know someone close to BB, so I know that she?s not doing this only for publicity. She is doing it in an informed manner. I believe she?s handling it with grace, poise and confidence. She could be a figure for the fight for freedom of gender expression.

Ricky Reyes, hairstylist and salon-chain owner

I?m gay but I don?t force myself on other people. It should be a private thing. Ang makakaintindi lang sa bading ay kapwa bading. What I want is for all gays to be respected.

How will you be respected if you go out on the street wearing a dress, or go into a woman?s restroom when you?re not a woman? There should be some reality check. Igalang mo ang sarili mo.

What I hate is for gays to be treated as monkeys in a cage. Masuwerte ang mga bading sa Pilipinas because we?re being tolerated. But tolerance and acceptance is a different thing. You can?t expect that much.

We used to dress up like women also, but we did it in private. Pinapasara namin ang club. Even if your parents say they understand you, they really don?t. Kapwa bading mo lang ang makakaintindi sa iyo.