After Being Criticized by Bretman Rock for His “Homophobic” Remark, Gym Coach Edison Vargas Has Spoken
EDISON VARGAS – The gym coach who was criticized by Bretman Rock for his “homophobic” remark has finally spoken up.
Vargas found himself at the center of controversy after making a remark in a TikTok video that was perceived as homophobic. The video featured Vargas lifting weights, and in the caption, he joked, “Bakla ako pag hindi ko nabuhat to!” This comment drew significant backlash, particularly from high-profile social media influencer Bretman Rock, who is also a vocal advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Bretman Rock responded to Vargas’s post in the comments section with a series of remarks that critiqued not only Vargas’s gym technique but also mocked his physical appearance and strength. Bretman’s comments included jibes about Vargas’s braces and his inability to perform the exercise correctly, and he sarcastically noted his relief at not being “ugly, weak, and straight.”
The controversy escalated as members of the LGBTQIA+ community and others online joined Bretman in criticizing the post, leading to Vargas facing a wider public backlash. In response to the uproar, Vargas released a follow-up TikTok video where he explained his actions and offered an apology to those offended by his initial comment.
In his explanatory video, Vargas clarified that the caption was intended to be humorous and aligned with content trends he observed on TikTok that seemed to normalize such jokes. He highlighted that before posting, he reviewed similar content that had not been labeled as homophobic, suggesting a disparity in how his post was received compared to others. Vargas emphasized that his intention was not to harm or offend but simply to participate in what he perceived as a common trend.
Vargas also took the opportunity to express gratitude toward those who had corrected him, acknowledging that the incident had increased his awareness of the sensitivities around posting content that could be perceived as offensive. He reassured viewers that he respected all his clients, including those from the LGBTQIA+ community, whom he described as strong individuals making bold life choices.