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Gays ecstatic over Comelec’s approval on Ang Ladlad partylist

January 21, 2010

By Lizanilla J. Amarga
Gay and lesbian communities here in Cagayan de Oro city voiced sighs of relief that their party-list organization Ang Ladlad finally made it to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) list of party-list organizations allowed to participate in the May 10, 2010 national and local elections.Comelec Resolution No. 8744 which came out late last Friday January 15, 2010 listed Ang Ladlad — a network of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Filipinos – as among the 144 party-list organizations allowed to participate in the upcoming poll race.
Rodel Toquib, a gay beautician at the Daya Parlor located at the second floor of the Cogon Public Market building, said the gays and lesbians expressed their grief when the Comelec earlier refused to include Ang Ladlad as among the approved party-list organizations.
“Dako kayo namo nga kalipay nga approved na sa Comelec ang among Ang Ladlad ug makabotar kami niini karong eleksyon (We are very thankful that Ang Ladlad was finally approved by the Comelec and we can vote for it in this coming election),” he said.
Toquib, gay beautician Jun Daya and Marebec “MarMar” Labis a self-confessed lesbian from Barangay Carmen, were one in pointing out how gay and lesbians here continue to face acts of discrimination from the general public.
Toquib described it as “painfully embarrassing” and even oftentimes making them feel as “second-class citizens” just because of their sexuality.
He cited how there was even an incident wherein gays who were seated inside a full public utility jeepney (PUJ) were made to disembark just to give way to some young men who wanted to board it as well.
“Gisyagitan gyud nga hoy mga bayot kanaog kamo diha! Kanaug mo mga bayota mo! Mao napugos nalang sila ug kanaug,” he said.
Labis cited how a local restaurant posted in the ladies comfort room a sign that reads: “Ladies Room. Lesbians not allowed.”
“Daghan paman hitabo nga gi-discriminate kami mao mo-supporta mi sa Ladlad para unta maprotektahan ang among mga katungod (There are still several other acts of discrimination against gays and lesbians this is why we will be supporting Ang Ladlad so that hopefully our rights would be protected),” Toquib said.
Ang Ladlad, which was formerly known as Ang Lunduyan, was formed last September 1, 2003 as a network of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Filipinos. It tried to participate in the party-list elections in the May 14, 2007 Elections but its bid was rejected.
Ang Ladlad is supporting for the enactment of the Anti-Discrimination Bill that gives LGBT Filipinos equal opportunities in employment and equal treatment in schools, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, entertainment centers, and government offices.
Also, it is backing the re-filing of the bill to repeal the Anti-Vagrancy Law that some unscrupulous policemen use to extort bribes from gay men without identification cards.
In Filipino, “magladlad” means to unfurl the cape that used to cover one’s body as a shield. It means to come out of the closet, to assert one’s human rights as equal to that of the next Filipino. Thus, it means to take one’s place in the sun, with dignity intact.
ANG LADLAD might run for party-list elections for Congress on May 14, 2007. Thus, it is bound to to make history. It will be the first political party composed of LGBT Filipinos that will claim — and reclaim — the rights we have lost from centuries of homophobia and discrimination.

Platforms

1. Support for the Anti-Discrimination Bill that gives LGBT Filipinos equal opportunities in employment and equal treatment in schools, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, entertainment centers, and government offices.

2. Re-filing of the bill to repeal the Anti-Vagrancy Law that some unscrupulous policemen use to extort bribes from gay men without ID cards;

3. Setting up of micro-finance and livelihood projects for poor and handicapped LGBT Filipinos;

4. Setting up of centers for Golden Gays, or old and abandoned LGBTs, as well as young ones driven out of their homes. The centers will also offer legal aid and counseling, as well as information about LGBT issues, HIV-AIDS, and reproductive health. These centers will be set up initially in the key cities/metropolitan areas of the Philippines — Baguio, National Capital Region, Cebu and Davao.

The platforms of ANG LADLAD are like laser beams — clear and focused only in one direction. We aim to restore our pride and dignity as LGBT Filipinos as well as give ourselves a chance to lead kinder and gentler lives.

The only way to shape history is to make it. Be part of history.

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Comments

One Response to “Gays ecstatic over Comelec’s approval on Ang Ladlad partylist”

  1. A.D. Macaldo on March 28th, 2010 5:52 pm

    Let us VOTE # 89: Ang Ladlad Partylist!

    Nanawagan ko sa tanang LGBT orgs sa Mindanao nga magkahiusa ta. Atong ibotar ang tinuod nga partylist. Atong ibotar Ang Ladlad tungod kay kini ang magahimo ug mga batas para sa mga bayot, lesbiyana, bisekswal ug transgender aron mahunong na ang diskriminasyon sa atong nasud.

    Dili kita patintal sa ubang partylist nga mga peke.

    Again, iboto nato ANG LADLAD PARTYLIST tungod kay kini tinuod nga partylist nga tinguha nga matabangan ang LGBT sa Pilipinas! TY

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