Friday, December 25, 2009
Everyday Bigotry
The recent events have finally jarred many LGBTs out of their complacency. COMELEC comes out with a truly homophobic decision that didnt just disqualify Ang Ladlad from being a partylist, but also judged all Filipino LGBTs as "immoral" and "a threat to the youth". Misquoting Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code, it equated being a homosexual to an obscene publication or an indecent show or exhibition; in short, "immoral" on the basis of "being contrary to good customs and morality." The essence of criminal law is that there must be an act or omission in the first place which is deemed illegal or is categorically defined as an offense. Following COMELEC's reasoning, LGBTs, by simply being themselves, and without necessarily doing anything, may now be considered unlawful. Tsk, tsk, tsk...and COMELEC is a government institution at that. Then comes, that reality TV show, Pinoy Big Brother which I never really liked. Besides being completely voyeuristic, it shows human beings at their worse. So those bigotted comments against a decent person like Rica, the resident transgender woman, are the lowest of the low. Sure, it probably raised ratings, increased viewership even and celfon networks made a bundle out of it again. But media, as a vital social agent, should consider what it reinforces in terms of prejudice. Will this TV show be allowed to perpetuate discrimination as if it's the acceptable behavior now? Is this really what we want to teach out Filipino youth - bigotry, homophobia, discrimination against others? Our youth has already responded to COMELEC's decision vs AngLadlad as shown by a survey made by the Phil Daily Inquirer. The feature was one for the books, with our young Filipinos giving COMELEC commissioners a piece of their mind. The same was true for our general public who wasted valuable celfone loads to vote off the rest of Rica's housemates. Philippine society seems to be making a point to homophobes everywhere - bigots have no place in this world....unlike sexual minorities.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Intolerance ..of Injustice
I am glad the COMELEC's recent booboo has elicited strong reactions even from non-LGBTs themselves. We are grateful for the support of senators and congressmen who have stood up for us, whether or not it is for their own political vested interests or not. Akbayan and Sen. Loren Legarda were among the first to release press statements condemning the atrocious decision. My Upsilonian senior brod, Joker Arroyo gave a laudable press statement for recognizing what we have been fighting for so long - discrimination and prejudice against LGBTs.
The media redeeemed itself of past negative portrayals of LGBTs, and even revealed itself as an instrumental LGBT ally. Various articles and editorials have taken the COMELEC to task for its arbitrariness. Fair and objective news coverage included editorials which openly criticized the COMELEC's decision by a division composed of three homophobic commissioners. Ever-popular Manolo Quezon's article provided legal insights that would put to shame commissioners with supposed-law degrees. There were calls for impeachment everywhere and the Commission on Human Rights even expressed its intention to file an intervention in support of AngLadlad. And true to form, Chairperson Leila De Lima pronounced COMELEC's actions as violative of human rights. This is quite significant because she is the first CHR Chair who has officially supported gay rights.
Particularly moving was my women's studies professor and fellow sexual rights advocate, Dr. Guy Claudio's letter. Drawing from her educational training and experience, she cited the fact that even the scientific and medical community has changed its views on homosexuality. Thus, the American Psychiatric Assoc had removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders since the 1970s. She ended by declaring herself "gay" until Ang Ladlad gets justice.
It's good to know Filipinos are not as dumb or as clueless as the COMELEC Commissioners are. They probably thought the LGBT Community is alone in this struggle and it's OK to use their official positions to propagate religous bigotry and impose personal biases under the guise of protecting "the greater majority". Well, dear Commissioners, it appears the general public doesn't share your narrow-mindedness after all.
To date, the community of international human rights NGOs has gotten wind of this development already. I wonder how much longer the Philippine government's alleged election law representatives can stand by such folly.
The media redeeemed itself of past negative portrayals of LGBTs, and even revealed itself as an instrumental LGBT ally. Various articles and editorials have taken the COMELEC to task for its arbitrariness. Fair and objective news coverage included editorials which openly criticized the COMELEC's decision by a division composed of three homophobic commissioners. Ever-popular Manolo Quezon's article provided legal insights that would put to shame commissioners with supposed-law degrees. There were calls for impeachment everywhere and the Commission on Human Rights even expressed its intention to file an intervention in support of AngLadlad. And true to form, Chairperson Leila De Lima pronounced COMELEC's actions as violative of human rights. This is quite significant because she is the first CHR Chair who has officially supported gay rights.
Particularly moving was my women's studies professor and fellow sexual rights advocate, Dr. Guy Claudio's letter. Drawing from her educational training and experience, she cited the fact that even the scientific and medical community has changed its views on homosexuality. Thus, the American Psychiatric Assoc had removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders since the 1970s. She ended by declaring herself "gay" until Ang Ladlad gets justice.
It's good to know Filipinos are not as dumb or as clueless as the COMELEC Commissioners are. They probably thought the LGBT Community is alone in this struggle and it's OK to use their official positions to propagate religous bigotry and impose personal biases under the guise of protecting "the greater majority". Well, dear Commissioners, it appears the general public doesn't share your narrow-mindedness after all.
To date, the community of international human rights NGOs has gotten wind of this development already. I wonder how much longer the Philippine government's alleged election law representatives can stand by such folly.
Rainbow Radio
Join Rainbow Rights Project (R-Rights) Inc. and Task Force Pride (TFP) Philippines for the launch of Rainbow Radio Pilipinas, a Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community-based radio magazine program and the first of its kind in the Philippines, at BED Malate on 20 November 2009, Friday at 8:00 pm. Entrance fee is waived until midnight.
Rainbow Radio Pilipinas debuts on the next day, 21 November, 2:30-3:30 PM at DWBL AM 1242 kHz, and will run every Saturday to bring updated and useful information about our community to LGBTs and friends in the country. We have prepared contests, prizes and surprises for us to better celebrate not only the launch of the radio program, but also the International Transgender Day of Remembrance (Nov. 20), the 16 Days of Activism campaign to eliminate violence against women and children (Nov. 25 to Dec. 10) and the upcoming 2009 Manila Pride March.
We hope you can join us in this night of fun and celebrate this momentous event with us. For details, you may contact Ani Diaz at musicrossroads@ yahoo.com.
Rainbow Radio Pilipinas debuts on the next day, 21 November, 2:30-3:30 PM at DWBL AM 1242 kHz, and will run every Saturday to bring updated and useful information about our community to LGBTs and friends in the country. We have prepared contests, prizes and surprises for us to better celebrate not only the launch of the radio program, but also the International Transgender Day of Remembrance (Nov. 20), the 16 Days of Activism campaign to eliminate violence against women and children (Nov. 25 to Dec. 10) and the upcoming 2009 Manila Pride March.
We hope you can join us in this night of fun and celebrate this momentous event with us. For details, you may contact Ani Diaz at musicrossroads@ yahoo.com.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Threat to the Youth?
I have been working for the DSWD since 2003. I have been involved in child rights protection, womens' welfare and development, and was quite instrumental in the violence vs women and children (VAWC) law as well as the anti-trafficking act. Now, COMELEC has declared my kind is "immoral" and a "threat to the youth"...In one sweep, COMELEC has trivialized everything that I am and have done for our Filipino youth because all this time, I have been "endangering" them pala..?
My dear COMELEC officials, if you guys remember your legal education as I do...there is such a thing in Constitutional law as "separation of Church and State". This is modern day Philippines where I believe democracy and equality are protected by the Constitution itself...(you know, that fundamental law of the land on which COMELEC bases its own existence on?). And as a fellow public officer, I know it is the State's mandate to protect ALL its citizens regardless of their religious beliefs. We should not "pontificate" on issues and concerns affecting the Filipino people because THAT IS NOT OUR BUSINESS...we leave that to the religious leaders of the different organized religions.
The COMELEC didn't even allow us the courtesy of a seeming "technical" ground for disqualification. Nope, the commissioners didn't even want to strain their brains any more than necessary. They just reverted to archaic biases and religious or "moral" rhetorics to dismiss Ang Ladlad and what we're fighting for.
My dear COMELEC officials, if you guys remember your legal education as I do...there is such a thing in Constitutional law as "separation of Church and State". This is modern day Philippines where I believe democracy and equality are protected by the Constitution itself...(you know, that fundamental law of the land on which COMELEC bases its own existence on?). And as a fellow public officer, I know it is the State's mandate to protect ALL its citizens regardless of their religious beliefs. We should not "pontificate" on issues and concerns affecting the Filipino people because THAT IS NOT OUR BUSINESS...we leave that to the religious leaders of the different organized religions.
The COMELEC didn't even allow us the courtesy of a seeming "technical" ground for disqualification. Nope, the commissioners didn't even want to strain their brains any more than necessary. They just reverted to archaic biases and religious or "moral" rhetorics to dismiss Ang Ladlad and what we're fighting for.
Blatant Homophobia
We just got word today that COMELEC has denied AngLadlad's application for partylist accreditation..and get this, on grounds of "immorality" according to the Koran and because we are "a threat to Filipino youth".
I am not surprised since I anticipated this the day I watched the TV and saw how poor Danton was grilled by those three COMELEC commissioners who sat in the hearing. One wore his religious beliefs on his sleeve as the token representative of his brethren, the second, a seeming fair and upright person betrayed his intelligence when he commented that there are enough LGBTs in Congress to represent us, and the third, a diminutive fellow showed how naive and childish his comments could be when he said that LGBTs don't experience discrimination, but are actually given preference and are favored nowadays...
These poor gentlemen may have forgotten this was not a circus or a comedy show; it was a hearing for partylist accreditation. Did they even bother to review the Partylist law and what the Philippine Constitution mandated about sectoral representation? Did they need to be reminded what "marginalization" meant in the true sense of the word? People didn't seem to have a problem understanding the concept when women were deemed disadvantaged because of their gender, or when children needed special protection because of their minority, or when farmers, fisherfolk, laborers, or the urban poor were recognized because of their economic status in society. Some will argue it is because LGBTs were not included in the "enumeration" of sectors acknowledged by the Constitution. This is the same reasoning proferred by human rights advocates when asked why LGBTs are not considered in the national human rights agenda.
The old COMELEC reason for denying AngLadlad's accreditation in 2007 at least had the semblance of propriety and rationality. it went "technical" and said we failed to prove "national membership" and regional representation. This time, it was pure, blatant homophobia which the Filipino LGBT Community cannot countenance..Such reasoning reeks of discrimination and inequality. Civil and political rights are guaranteed by international human rights documents and even our own Bill of Rights, but this ruling tells the Filipino LGBTs their political participation and right to representation is not that important.
This is an eye-opener for all of us. To those LGBTs whom still think we're doing ok and are "accepted" already, think again..COMELEC commissioners can speak about us like this as if we're the scum of the earth. To progressive legislators, policy-makers, legal professionals and human rights advocates, will you allow such declarations of personal opinions become the legal bases for decisions which will have a national impact for us all?
I am not surprised since I anticipated this the day I watched the TV and saw how poor Danton was grilled by those three COMELEC commissioners who sat in the hearing. One wore his religious beliefs on his sleeve as the token representative of his brethren, the second, a seeming fair and upright person betrayed his intelligence when he commented that there are enough LGBTs in Congress to represent us, and the third, a diminutive fellow showed how naive and childish his comments could be when he said that LGBTs don't experience discrimination, but are actually given preference and are favored nowadays...
These poor gentlemen may have forgotten this was not a circus or a comedy show; it was a hearing for partylist accreditation. Did they even bother to review the Partylist law and what the Philippine Constitution mandated about sectoral representation? Did they need to be reminded what "marginalization" meant in the true sense of the word? People didn't seem to have a problem understanding the concept when women were deemed disadvantaged because of their gender, or when children needed special protection because of their minority, or when farmers, fisherfolk, laborers, or the urban poor were recognized because of their economic status in society. Some will argue it is because LGBTs were not included in the "enumeration" of sectors acknowledged by the Constitution. This is the same reasoning proferred by human rights advocates when asked why LGBTs are not considered in the national human rights agenda.
The old COMELEC reason for denying AngLadlad's accreditation in 2007 at least had the semblance of propriety and rationality. it went "technical" and said we failed to prove "national membership" and regional representation. This time, it was pure, blatant homophobia which the Filipino LGBT Community cannot countenance..Such reasoning reeks of discrimination and inequality. Civil and political rights are guaranteed by international human rights documents and even our own Bill of Rights, but this ruling tells the Filipino LGBTs their political participation and right to representation is not that important.
This is an eye-opener for all of us. To those LGBTs whom still think we're doing ok and are "accepted" already, think again..COMELEC commissioners can speak about us like this as if we're the scum of the earth. To progressive legislators, policy-makers, legal professionals and human rights advocates, will you allow such declarations of personal opinions become the legal bases for decisions which will have a national impact for us all?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Freedom of Expression
These past few days, I have encountered certain "communication" issues which, I personally believe, could have been handled a little better had personalities and attitudes didn't get in the way. But for people who are so used to "speaking their minds" and blurting out whatever they feel or think each time, this is certainly difficult. Thus, trouble usually results especially if someone's fragile ego gets hurt.
Here are some lessons I learned along the way, albeit the "hard" way.
"Listen, not to what is being said, but to what is NOT being said." The manner by which something is being said usually has an underlying reason. In short, someone may just be having bad day. He/she could be feeling sick, is mourning the passing of a loved one, or is simply frazzled about the distribution of relief goods. This is what you do: take a minute and understand the context of the unpleasant retort you just got. Even with your own bruised feelings, you can exhibit the utmost good faith and not think too badly of the person. You may be in a better position to exercise patience and understanding. Even when the person continues to rant, rave and ramble, take the higher moral ground and don't dignify the insults.
By no means should you resort to name-calling, cursing and sarcastic talk-back.
"Stick to the issue, and don't go historical or come up with sweeping conclusions." If it's really necessary to engage in a discussion, try to be objective and logical. High emotion only derails dialogue. As the saying goes, "forgive and forget" but that only works if things have truly been resolved. Hence, it is important not to mix things up; respond point-by-point, but avoid generalizations. I believe that is the only fair and just thing for everyone.
"The truth hurts". Certainly, the truth can really be "ugly" especially if one is faced with it quite bluntly. One has no choice but to grin and bear it. It is also the best policy to accept one's failures and weaknesses graciously, and...apologize if you must. There is no shame, only honor in it.
Yes, we all have the freedom of expression, but with every right comes a great responsibility..and that is to prevent unnecessary grief or damage. We must remember that there is always a way to keep the exchange from getting too "pedestrian" and vulgar for everyone's taste.
Here are some lessons I learned along the way, albeit the "hard" way.
"Listen, not to what is being said, but to what is NOT being said." The manner by which something is being said usually has an underlying reason. In short, someone may just be having bad day. He/she could be feeling sick, is mourning the passing of a loved one, or is simply frazzled about the distribution of relief goods. This is what you do: take a minute and understand the context of the unpleasant retort you just got. Even with your own bruised feelings, you can exhibit the utmost good faith and not think too badly of the person. You may be in a better position to exercise patience and understanding. Even when the person continues to rant, rave and ramble, take the higher moral ground and don't dignify the insults.
By no means should you resort to name-calling, cursing and sarcastic talk-back.
"Stick to the issue, and don't go historical or come up with sweeping conclusions." If it's really necessary to engage in a discussion, try to be objective and logical. High emotion only derails dialogue. As the saying goes, "forgive and forget" but that only works if things have truly been resolved. Hence, it is important not to mix things up; respond point-by-point, but avoid generalizations. I believe that is the only fair and just thing for everyone.
"The truth hurts". Certainly, the truth can really be "ugly" especially if one is faced with it quite bluntly. One has no choice but to grin and bear it. It is also the best policy to accept one's failures and weaknesses graciously, and...apologize if you must. There is no shame, only honor in it.
Yes, we all have the freedom of expression, but with every right comes a great responsibility..and that is to prevent unnecessary grief or damage. We must remember that there is always a way to keep the exchange from getting too "pedestrian" and vulgar for everyone's taste.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
R-Rts' Lesbian Calligraphy
Rainbow Rights Project (R-Rights), Inc. would like to invite you to its latest Dyke Dialogues, "Lesbian Calligraphy: a Forum on Philippine Lesbian Literature and Erotica". It will be held at the Bernal Gallery, UP Film Institute, Diliman, QC from 1-5PM, on November 7, 2009, Saturday .
UP Sappho founder Libay Linsangan-Cantor will give an overview on Philippine Lesbian Literature, while freelance writer Roda Novenario will share some insights on erotica and pornograpy. There will also be a legal discussion on pornography and censorship by R-Rights' Germaine Leonin.
Hope to see you there!
UP Sappho founder Libay Linsangan-Cantor will give an overview on Philippine Lesbian Literature, while freelance writer Roda Novenario will share some insights on erotica and pornograpy. There will also be a legal discussion on pornography and censorship by R-Rights' Germaine Leonin.
Hope to see you there!
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