When the Fruit Falls Far from the Tree (The Disappointment that is Lagman)

They always say a fruit doesn't fall far from the tree..but so it goes that some offsprings are often big disappointments compared to their parents. Too often have we seen this in the Philippine setting. The LGBT Community was one with the women's sector in supporting Edcel Lagman's RH bill, and rightly so for this concerns gender and sexuality issues that go beyond female sexual and reproductive rights and health. Now, his son turns around and betrays us. Grex Lagman's bill seeking to punish LGBTs who have affairs with married folk is an obvious over-reaction after the nation's seeming preoccupation with the telenovela "My Husband's Lover". For those living deceptive married lives, this show clearly raised some ghosts and it has scared many people in heterosexual relationships who are by no means monogamous and faithful. Lagman, Jr. claims this is a step towards "gender equality", but his intentions are painfully misguided. As a lawyer, he should have known that the "gender equality" being proposed in harmonizing the Revised Penal Code's adultery and concubinage provisions relates to the circumstances by how the offenses are committed. Married women are easily punished under the adultery provision while married men's infidelity is harder to prove under the concubinage provision. Remembering one's criminal law from the college of law, even mere suspicion of a woman's conduct makes her liable while a man must be proven to have brought home his mistress or has actually put her up or maintains her some place. The equal treatment of sexual infidelity under the law is the objective here. For LGBTs, this will only reinforce the stigmatization of same-sex relations. Grex Lagman obviously doesn't grasp the real situation of Pinoy LGBTs who by virtue of the prevalent homophobia, many are forced to enter into heterosexual relationships. It is because of societal pressures that they eventually get married, but in the long run still fall back into the homosexual proclivities. So because of this "weakness of character" and sheer cowardice, LGBTs will now be doubly punished for living secret lives and their same-sex lovers along with them. Already in many annulment cases and child custody battles, an alleged homosexual or lesbian affair is thrown in to muddle the issue and portray one party to be immoral and unfit as a parent. Now, besides this family law complication, an LGBT who has decided to be true to himself or herself will run the risk of being criminally sanctioned as well. This is a "no-win" situation for Pinoy LGBTs...because you were a "coward and stupid enough to get married", you stand no chance at achieving happiness or even a respite from your lie-of-a-married life. Similarly, woe to an LGBT lover who falls for a legally married partner. The "misery" currently being experienced by Filipino LGBTs from homophobia and discrimination every day of their lives is bad enough...no need to add unto this suffering by criminalizing them. I believe the Filipino LGBT Community's "real" friends and supporters in the women's advocacy, as well as enlightened legislators and policy-makers truly comprehend this, not just those masquerading as gender advocates and human rights defenders.