Discrimination tears apart the human soul
Speech of former Akbayan Representative Risa Hontiveros
Magandang hapon sa inyong lahat, ako si Risa Hontiveros ng Akbayan. Hindi makakarating si Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, ang principal author ng Anti-Discrimination Bill o HB515, dahil sa isang speaking engagement sa US.
Mahaba na rin ang pinag-daanan ng Anti-Discrimination Bill, a measure that seeks to penalize discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders. It was first filed by then Rep. Etta Rosales, now CHR Chair, in 1999. Under Etta's leadership, the bill was approved by the House human rights committee in 2000, and it was approved by the House on third reading in 2001 but got blocked in the Senate. I authored it from 2004 to 2010, and this term, as early as June 27, 2010, Akbayan Reps. Kaka Bag-ao and Walden Bello refiled the measure. Malapit nang maging teenager ang bill na to, it's time for its rite of passage.
There are stories of abuse and discrimination that prove the urgency of this measure, and in Akbayan's long history as the principal author of this bill, we encountered some of these stories: there was the case of Jan-Jan, a gay man, whose surgery was illegally recorded by medical professionals in Cebu and uploaded the video on YouTube; there numerous cases of transgenders, one involving a celebrity entertainer, and several involving students and young professionals, who had been barred from entering commercial establishments or toilets; the encounters with abusive policemen, those who wrongly apply the law to harass homosexuals, bisexuals and transgenders, extort money from them, and abuse their powers to shame them.
But the most heartbreaking stories are those that do not reach Congress, those that are uttered with the heaviest of sighs - the realization of a man that the promotion he fought hard for, that he deserves, won't be given to him because he is gay; the oppressive silence that surrounds sexual violence, rape that is supposed to cure lesbians of their homosexuality; the swelling of fear, pride and courage in a boy's heart when he finally decided to tell his parents that he's gay, and the long, lonely walk he has to take upon learning that he no longer has a family, and has to leave his home.
Discrimination tears apart the human soul. It is not a simple issue of entitlements being denied, it's the intention or the effect of treating one person less of a human because of who he or she has chosen to love, or how he or she sees himself or herself. Society in general still thinks that it can be reversed, or corrected, but we all know being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender is not just natural, it is embedded in the human family.
As we open today our exhibit, we take a look into the human soul of gays, bisexuals, and transgenders who have witnessed discrimination, and fought back. Such is the nature of the human soul: it cannot be contained, not in a closet, or through an act of abuse or violence. But the State should intervene and put an end to the climate of discrimination and abuse experienced by LGBTs. We call on Congress, especially the Chair of the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality to immediately approve the Anti-Discrimination Bill. Maari pa nyang bilisan ang approval ng ADB dahil na-approve na ito ng third reading nuon. We call on the Aquino administration to help build an environment of diversity and acceptance, where all Filipinos, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, are able to enjoy their equal rights.
Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat at mabuhay ang LGBTs!
Mahaba na rin ang pinag-daanan ng Anti-Discrimination Bill, a measure that seeks to penalize discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders. It was first filed by then Rep. Etta Rosales, now CHR Chair, in 1999. Under Etta's leadership, the bill was approved by the House human rights committee in 2000, and it was approved by the House on third reading in 2001 but got blocked in the Senate. I authored it from 2004 to 2010, and this term, as early as June 27, 2010, Akbayan Reps. Kaka Bag-ao and Walden Bello refiled the measure. Malapit nang maging teenager ang bill na to, it's time for its rite of passage.
There are stories of abuse and discrimination that prove the urgency of this measure, and in Akbayan's long history as the principal author of this bill, we encountered some of these stories: there was the case of Jan-Jan, a gay man, whose surgery was illegally recorded by medical professionals in Cebu and uploaded the video on YouTube; there numerous cases of transgenders, one involving a celebrity entertainer, and several involving students and young professionals, who had been barred from entering commercial establishments or toilets; the encounters with abusive policemen, those who wrongly apply the law to harass homosexuals, bisexuals and transgenders, extort money from them, and abuse their powers to shame them.
But the most heartbreaking stories are those that do not reach Congress, those that are uttered with the heaviest of sighs - the realization of a man that the promotion he fought hard for, that he deserves, won't be given to him because he is gay; the oppressive silence that surrounds sexual violence, rape that is supposed to cure lesbians of their homosexuality; the swelling of fear, pride and courage in a boy's heart when he finally decided to tell his parents that he's gay, and the long, lonely walk he has to take upon learning that he no longer has a family, and has to leave his home.
Discrimination tears apart the human soul. It is not a simple issue of entitlements being denied, it's the intention or the effect of treating one person less of a human because of who he or she has chosen to love, or how he or she sees himself or herself. Society in general still thinks that it can be reversed, or corrected, but we all know being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender is not just natural, it is embedded in the human family.
As we open today our exhibit, we take a look into the human soul of gays, bisexuals, and transgenders who have witnessed discrimination, and fought back. Such is the nature of the human soul: it cannot be contained, not in a closet, or through an act of abuse or violence. But the State should intervene and put an end to the climate of discrimination and abuse experienced by LGBTs. We call on Congress, especially the Chair of the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality to immediately approve the Anti-Discrimination Bill. Maari pa nyang bilisan ang approval ng ADB dahil na-approve na ito ng third reading nuon. We call on the Aquino administration to help build an environment of diversity and acceptance, where all Filipinos, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, are able to enjoy their equal rights.
Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat at mabuhay ang LGBTs!
