Knwoing Who To Vote For

Young LGBTs have cajoled me into writing about LGBT-friendly legislators and politicians who have shown respect and recognition to the Community. Since I have been blessed to be one of those with the so-called "institutional memory" of the Filipino LGBT Advocacy Movement, I will oblige...so here goes.

Back when our advocacy efforts required constantly appearing on TV talk shows when there was nothing interesting going on in media, poor Danton Remoto was a featured guest on Channel 2. While he debated with the CBCP's token representative on religious grounds you would think Danton would get a more logical comment from the show's co-host and prominent lawyer. But no, when Danton insisted that gays are entitled to respect "because we are human beings too", Compañero blurted out, "Are you sure?" His two offsprings are now in the Senate and I am not sure if they share their late father's bigotry.

Miriam Defensor-Santiago has been a loose cannon ever since. Her legislative proposals included the Senate version of the anti-discrimination bill and an amendment to the Family Code provision on the validity of marriages celebrated abroad. People mostly remember that the latter measure since it would bar gay marriages held abroad from getting recognized in the Philippines. In all fairness to her, she has regularly employed members of the LGBT Community without prejudice to their sexual orientation.

The mother and son team of Loi and Jinggoy Estrada, were not much of a force to contend with at the Senate. Probably because of their affiliation, they were considered "light-weights" in the legislative arena. But along with Bong Revilla, they were the few brave souls who filed a Senate version of the Anti-Discrimination. That was the time when Kiko Pangilinan headed the Social Justice and Human Rights Committee and never once put the Anti-Discrimination Bill in the agenda for a TWG or hearing because "it was not a priority" of the Senate.

Bong, in spite of his macho image, acquiesced to his father's wishes and filed the bill because Ramon, Sr. insisted, saying, "kailangan nyan ng mga kapatid natin sa industriya." Simple words of support from a simple man.

In the House of Representatives, Akbayan representatives constantly pushed for the ADB. Etta Rosales even had a heated exchange with the notorious homophobe Cong. Abante once. It was such a pity, because back when other partylist reps from Bayan Muna and Gabriela sat in the House Human Rights Committee, the Committee's composition was superb. I remember when former UPLB classmate, Migs Zubiri presided over one of the Committee hearings, the measure was passed as is w/o much debate and was unanimously endorsed by the Committee for plenary.

These presidentiables who are now running for the highest office in the land, once graced an LGBT forum by LAGABLAB. As is their wont, they would promise you anything and everything. Representatives of Roxas and Gordon were present and assured us of support once in the Senate. These guys didn't file anything for the Community's benefit once they got the seats they wanted. They wouldn't even touch our legislative brief of the ADB with a 10-foot pole.

These are just some "historical" facts. The LGBT Community had put its faith in the hands of these legislators before. Some tried, some were clearly disappointing. Of late, we have somehow generated support from Loren Legarda and Joker Arroyo after the AngLadlad vs Comelec issue. But much is still to be seen from the rest of our legislators in terms of support for the Filipino LGBT Community.