R-Rights on PAP Statement on SOGI

Rainbow Rights Project (R-Rights) commends the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) recent pronouncement on non-discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Such a categorical statement from a respected professional association will go a long way in educating people about respecting the human rights of Pinoy lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBTs).
For the longest time, the discrimination and violence experienced by Filipino LGBTs stemmed from a combination of societal influences, including views that homosexuality and lesbianism is a mental disease. Such pathological perspective lends to the myth that homosexuality and lesbianism is a sickness that can still be “cured”. This prevailed for decades in the Philippines even when as early as the 1970s, the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association both de-listed homosexuality and lesbianism from the listing of mental disorders.
As early as the mid-2000s, sexuality practitioner Margarita Holmes shared with LGBT activists the importance of making the medical and psychology professionals our allies. She emphasized the need to get the local counterparts of the American Psychiatric and Psychological Associations to also reconsider its classification and treatment of homosexuality and lesbianism, and to come up with a more progressive view of LGBTs.
R-Rights appreciates the clear move of the Psychological Association of the Philippines to do its part in protecting and promoting the rights and welfare of Filipino LGBTs. By enjoining their peers and colleagues to stand by their code of ethics in recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of a person, and in respecting diversity among people, the PAP remains steadfast in their clear stance against discrimination based on actual or perceived differences in characteristics, including sexual orientation and gender identity.
In behalf of all LGBT activists, R-Rights wishes to express its gratitude to the PAP for taking this matter seriously enough to take concrete steps in addressing homophobia and discrimination against Pinoy LGBTs.
Kudos to the courageous and progressive leadership of PAP and Mabuhay tayong lahat!