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1
Mar
MESSAGE OF JOEY DE VENECIA III
My friends and comrades in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) community:
Late last year, I issued a public statement in support of Ang Ladlad after the COMELEC’s second division, in one of its more abysmal acts rejected the group’s application for accreditation on the grounds of “immorality offending religious sensibilities”.
That in this time and age lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered Filipinos have to actually plead for their right to participate in the political process is appalling — absolutely appalling.
How could we, in conscience, celebrate our democracy (and we did that just the other day) and yet attempt to deny LGBT Filipinos their right to meaningfully engage the political process? Are they any less Filipino?
Since when did sexual orientation become a precondition for citizenship?
The phrase, “immorality offending religious sensibilities”, is a throwback to the Inquisition, the Nazi era and the period of Apartheid. It has no place in modern (I should say “civilized”) political discourse.
I should now note, with some welcome irony, that the attempt to disqualify Ang Ladlad actually strengthened the very case for its accreditation. Can we still doubt the fact of the LGBT community’s marginalization?
Having said all these, allow me now as a candidate for the Philippine Senate to engage all of you who have come to this historic occasion.
I did not come here today because it is politically convenient. There are people who did not want me to come here for fear that I might risk alienating some sectors. Well, that is a risk worth taking — not too different from the one I took when I went to the Senate to blow the whistle on the corrupt 16 billion peso NBN-ZTE deal.
I am here today because I am one with you in your struggle against any and all forms of discrimination. I am here today because I want to continue my father’s commitment to support the Anti-Discrimination Bill, a commitment he made in 1998 when he ran for president.
Let discrimination on, whatever grounds, be made a criminal offense! And why shouldn’t it be when it strikes at the very heart and soul of our democracy?
Here, I am guided by one of those things that admit of no ambiguity: either we believe in the inherent dignity of persons or we do not.
Sa tingin ko po wala tayong karapatan na tawagin na demokrasya ang ating sistema ng gobyerno kung laganap o kaya ay talamak pa rin ang diskriminasyon sa ating lipunan.
Of course ending discrimination does not only involve criminalizing it. We must also remove laws that historically have been used to oppress members of the LGBT community.
One such law is the Anti-Vagrancy Law that corrupt policemen conveniently use to extort from gays and bisexuals especially at night. That the police should even have this power in the first place bothers me. At any rate, we all know that this law is a total failure and that it has only been selectively implemented.
More importantly, however, I believe government must invest in affirmative programs that address the obvious vulnerabilities of members of the LGBT community. Allow me to propose the following programs:
A government funded facility that will provide shelter, medical and emotional care to aged and abandoned members of the LGBT community. This is a social reality that stares us in the face and we cannot remain oblivious to it.
I can say the same for programs that aim to provide health information and counselling to young lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders. That they are subject to greater emotional, psychological and cultural stress than straight people is again too obvious to even discuss.
In the economic front, we must include the setting up of micro-finance and livelihood projects for poor and handicapped LGBT Filipinos.
This is not just good social policy. This is sound economic policy.
I know for a fact that LGBT Filipinos are hardworking and highly productive. Indeed, they often end up shouldering responsibilities that straight family members are incapable of assuming.
To provide them with capital and training so that they can start their own small businesses will have an immediate impact both on the economic wellbeing of their families and on the local economy.
Consistent with my own advocacy, I would like to go one step further by suggesting that there should be special emphasis on businesses that use computer and internet technology. I will never tire in saying that IT is the great equalizer.
Our leaders have in fact acknowledged the economic contribution of LGBT Filipinos to the economy, although some more enthusiastically than others. I now challenge them to put their money where their mouths are.
Now, let me cut short this speech because I know you have a long day ahead of you. Suffice it to say that I consider this my political “coming out” so that I may henceforth openly and publicly partner with Ang Ladlad as it struggles to give the LGBT community its political voice.
Ituring nyo na po ako na kasama ninyo.
I would like to express my gratitude to the leaders of Ang Ladlad who were kind enough to give me this opportunity to address all of you who are gathered here today.
Mabuhay po kayong lahat. Mabuhay ang Ang Ladlad!
