Statements: Statement of Condemnation
2 MIN READ
By BAGUIO PRIDE NETWORK
www.nordis.net
We the members of the Baguio Pride Network (BPN), an alliance of LGBT organizations, individuals, friends and families here in Baguio City and the Municipality of La Trinidad join the nation in condemning and exposing COMELEC’s outright invalidation of Ang Ladlad Partylist.
In it’s 7-page resolution, COMELEC cites the group representing Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders (LGBT) community as immoral and poses as a “threat to the Filipino youth” as its basis for disqualification.
Although BPN is not a member organization of Ang Ladlad, we will NOT take this crystal clear act of bigotry sitting down. We call on all lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders to come out in the open and challenge institutions, like the COMELEC, who claim to be the government’s arm of justice and impartiality. It is high time that people in government put an end to their chauvanism and prejudice against gay people, and redirect their attention to definitely moral issues such as corruption, electoral fraud and elitism in government.
We further challenge COMELEC to go after political candidates and groups who committed crimes and violence against the Filipino people. What about warlords, gambling lords, wife abusers elected in position and whop remain unscathed and are allowed by COMELEC to run? This inaction clearly reflects the biases of COMELEC Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer, Lucenito Tagle and Elias Yusoph.
We assert that we are productive members of society, as workers, as peasants, as professionals, as students and government employees. We cannot dismiss efforts to “invalidate” us, most especially in politics and governance. Homophobia, the irrational and baseless fear and discrimination of the LGBT community should be dismantled in all levels and institutions of society. Thus, all the more that we should be recognized as marginalized sectors needing genuine representation in politics and governance.
Mahalaga kami sa pamilyang Pilipino, mahalaga kami sa lipunan!
Ipaglaban ang karapatan at boses ng mga bakla at mga lesbiyana!
Magkaisa at lumaban!
The Baguio Pride Network:
Lesbians for National Democracy (LESBOND)
Progressive Organization of Gays (PROGAY-Baguio)
Thunderbird Association of the Cordillera and Suburbs, Inc. (TACSI)
Metropolitan Community Church in Metro Baguio (MCCMB)
UP Gender Desk
Cordillera Women’s Ediucation, Action & Research (CWEARC)
Gabriela Womens Partylist – Baguio
BPN Individuals & Advocates# nordis.net
