UP Babaylan’s Statement on Ang Ladlad’s petition to COMELEC

DENIED OF RIGHT NOT ONCE… BUT TWICE!
UP Babaylan’s Statement on Ang Ladlad’s petition to COMELEC

The dismissal of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on Ang Ladlad’s petition for party–list representation for the upcoming 2010 elections has proved once again that discrimination and bigotry are still prevalent in our society. Citing the group as “it tolerates immorality” and “a threat to the youth” are indications that COMELEC has a sense of homophobia among its ranks.

It is depressing to see that an institution mandated by the Constitution to recognize marginalized groups in the society is not doing its job. Much worse, its discretion and judgment are influenced by personal beliefs which, in the first place, violate the very core of our rights to have equal recognition under the law.

As the foremost LGBT students’ support group in the State University and its campuses, UP Babaylan believes that such motions to denounce the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people in the policy–making process must not be tolerated. Equality should reign in our society and to achieve it, we must take a stand and fight for the rights and welfare of the LGBT community.

UP Babaylan joins the whole LGBT community in condemning this upfront narrow–mindedness and prejudice against all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people. We appeal to students, faculty, school officials, and especially to the authority to give LGBT Filipinos the right and protection we deserve.

Let’s be empowered! Fight for your right! Fight for democracy!





* Ang Ladlad is a national organization of LGBT Filipinos. Danton Remoto is the present chair of Ang Ladlad.