Philippine LGBT rights activists to Catholic prelates: Be compassionate

The Progressive Organization of Gays in the Philippines (ProGay) called on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to stop issuing what it describes as “poisoned” and “misguided” information regarding anti-discrimination proposals pending in Congress.

The CBCP announced its opposition to Senate Bill (SB) 2814 or the Anti-Ethnic, Racial or Religious Discrimination and Profiling Act of 2011, saying the possible enactment of the bill into law “would open the door for the legalization of same sex marriages” in the country.

For his part, Senator Gringo Honasan, said in an interview with Sun.Star said that it is “too premature to make an intelligent conclusion” if the passage of the aforementioned bill would indeed lead to same sex marriages in the Philippines. Honasan, who is eligible to seek reelection in the 2013 senatorial polls, is part of the bi-cameral conference committee working on the bill.

ProGay Philippines to CBCP: Be compassionate!

ProGay spokesperson Goya Candelario, for his part, maintained that his group support bills that would protect human rights based on sex, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. “(We support the bill) because it protects all Filipino citizens, especially the oppressed Filipino women who suffer from workplace and family-based discrimination,” he said.

In a news conference, Jo Imbong, CBCP lawyer and defeated 2010 senatorial candidate pointed out that Filipino lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders (LGBTs) “should not be protected from discrimination” because they had the power to choose their sexual orientation.

“It really pains to hear those words coming from a supposed Christian. Imbong is so blind and unfeeling that she does not know that discrimination forces LGBTs in the slums to take on dirty, low-paid dangerous work like prostitution,” Candelario said. Candelario said sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) are not a personal choice that can be turned on and off at a whim.

“SOGI is an integral part of who we are from birth, even for heterosexuals who did not choose to be heterosexuals at birth. However, Christians can choose from hundreds of religions they want to be baptized in later in life, and they demand legal protections of religious freedom,” he said. The ProGay leader also pleaded for progressive priests, bishops, and nuns to come out in defense of LGBT rights and to not let their rabid factions dominate the Church.

LGBT rights activists during a pride march last week (credits: Mr. Goya Candelario)

In a statement, ProGay Philippines reiterated said that no provision in SB 2814 would force priests to bless same sex marriages on the pain of jail terms and fines. ProGay human rights officer Oscar Atadero said that the House version HB 1483 filed by Rep. Teddy Casino is a preferred version by the gay community, but he said the group hopes that a compromise version would protect LGBTs with sufficient protections to guard against violence, homophobia, and discrimination that Filipino gays suffer in schools, workplace, and government services.


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Mark Pere Madrona

The Filipino Scribe (TFS) is managed by Mark Pere Madrona, a multi-awarded writer and licensed professional teacher from the Philippines. Mr. Madrona earned his master’s degree in history from the University of the Philippines-Diliman last 2020. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in journalism cum laude from the same university back in 2010. His area of interests includes Philippine journalism, history, and politics as well as social media. Know more about him here: https://www.filipinoscribe.com/about/.

8 thoughts on “Philippine LGBT rights activists to Catholic prelates: Be compassionate

  1. masyado nila dinidiscriminate ang mga gay and bisexual, we have freedom sa bansa natin db? but kailangan din nila maintindihan ang nararamdaman ng bawat taong may gani2ng kasarian, in the first place di naman sila ginugulo ng mga taong ito at pinapakita lang nila sa lipunan kung ano talaga sila, ang same sex marriage naman ay para lang maaprobahan d2 sa bansa natin, but kahit cguro walang marriage na mganap nasa partners narin yon pde naman kaung magtagal khit walang marriage it is publicity lang na malaman na kasal kau as same sex. but in ur relationship kau rin naman ang bubuo nito hindi ang marriage, some how ung iba marriage nga but pag dating ng panahon they got divorse db because they will not satisfied, hayaan u nalang sila kung anong tingin nila sa same sex relationship, ang mahalaga di kau makalimot sa DIOS at wala kayong tinatapakang tao, nagbabayad kayo ng buwis sa lipunan natin at sa mata ng tao at sa mata ng DIOS nagmamahalan kayo db?
    the best thing is were proud to be what u are if u are gay or bisexual basta alam natin mas nakaka2long sa bansa natin ang mag homosexual, at mas mayroong pangalan d2 at sa ibang bansa, make proud to be one of them di nio dapat ikahiya bagkos ipagmalaki nio dahil d kayo ipokrito at totoo kayo sa sarili nio. i always support to all of you guys!

    1. Hi Kuya Geollan. Hindi po ako personally part ng kahit anong LGBT organization though naniniwala po ako sa pinaglalaban nila. Lahat po ng tao ay pantay-pantay lang kahit ano pa ang kasarian nya. Wala pong dapat maapi dahil dun.

  2. I do hope that there is no such provision in the bill which says that clergy who does not marry same sex couples will be fined and jailed. It’s not just the Catholic Church which would be affected; the Orthodox Church, Islam and Judaism would be affected as well. All of these are against any same sex relationships, especially marriage.

  3. why not include: “… only on the Churches that would uphold the bill’s demand to officiate same sex marriage…?” di ba …para naman may sense of justice … kumbaga. Di naman na ino-obligate ang R.C Church & other Churches an against sa same-sex marriage…dahil on the first place kailangan din naman i respeto ang cause/ reason at doctrines ng isa or bawat Church or faith Group … para din naman sa atin lahat na i respeto nila ang ating mga pagpipili at ganun din naman i respeto din nila tayo kung ano tayo sa ating mga pinili at especially and role natin sa buhay na pinili natin….maging MINDFUL tayo at tingnan ang balance sa mga bagay-bagay…hindi lang tayo na biglang pomapabor sa isang bagay dahil pATABA ito sa atin or sa ating GROUPO at sumasagot ito sa ating kagustuhan na meyroon din dahilan …..

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