What the Filipino LGBT Community Has Alrdy Gained

Whatever the results of the May 10 national elections would be for AngLadlad, I believe the Filipino LGBT Community has already gained so much in the last few months of the COMELEC controversy.

When AngLadlad was disqualified yet again by the COMELEC from being an accredited partylist, there was a resounding uproar from the whole country. Long labeled as "phantom voters" by Abalos, LGBTs around the Philippines all came out to denounce such fanatical religious pronouncements by the COMELEC Commissioners of the 2nd Division. LGBT organizations in the different regions came out with their own press releases expressing their dismay. Media covered these independent and simultaneous events and show of support. This proved once and for all that LGBTS are indeed all over the country. And not only did they exist, LGBTs are organized as concrete groups and established within their own communities. Long alienated from "Imperial Manila" and isolated from each other, Filipino LGBT groups in the provinces finally acknowledged their common plight and learned to work together again. After so many years, the different LGBT organizations finally became unified.

It was also an eye-opener for many apathetic and indifferent LGBTs. Young LGBTs now benefitting from years of struggle, have become too complacent and take for granted the unique "freedom" they now enjoy. Well-off LGBTs who are already "comfortable" where they are, also thought they were "immune" from homophobia. COMELEC's statements ultimately changed their minds.

The greatest thing that came out of this whole hulabaloo was the support shown by the "Straight" Community. People in professions you never expected to show such enlightenment, suddenly stood up for us. We found allies and friends in the most unusual places. You can still feel it in the air because when the Supreme Court finally issued its decision in favor of AngLadlad, the LGBT Community was not alone in its celebration.

If AngLadlad wins a seat(s) in Congress, that would be just an icing on the cake for me. The unity and seeming acceptance we could not achieve in 15 years worth of advocacy happened in just a few months. I believe Filipinos, LGBTs and straights alike, would want AngLadlad to win because it is an honest to goodness representative of a marginalized sector. I think the Filipino people would not want to deny anyone his/her human rights or his rightful place in society..in the midst of adversity, we are a happy people after all.