Why denial of a political voice means gay rights in the Philippines remain in the closet

Reuben James Barrete says religious and moral prejudices, coupled with U-turns by lawmakers, show true acceptance for the LGBT community in the Philippines will be elusive without access to political dialogue

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President Rodrigo Duterte went back on last year’s campaign promise to push for same-sex union when he cited the Philippine Civil Code in March to say marriage is the union between a man and a woman. Photo: EPA

Published: 12:34pm, 25 Apr 2017Updated: 7:35pm, 25 Apr 2017

The Philippines, with one of the most colourful and vibrant gay communities in Asia, claims to be on the crest of homosexual tolerance. However, the general population, particularly the older generation, seems to think LGBT rights and issues shouldn’t be at the top of the political agenda on “moral” grounds and the perceived threat to social order.

A 2013 Pew Research Centre survey in 39 countries found that 73 per cent of Filipinos thought homosexuality should be accepted by society, with an even higher percentage (78 per cent) among younger respondents.

Social acceptance only portrays a superficial inclusion of the LGBT sector, not their holistic integration

In July 2015, then Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte expressed his support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights and famously announced that he disapproved of any form of discrimination against gay people. His support for the community evoked strong admiration from some and even gave him significant LGBT backing for the presidency. He then declared he would push and advocate for same-sex union, as part of his campaign promise. But, after winning, President Duterte went back on his promise and cited that, according to the Philippine Civil Code, marriage is a union between a man and woman.

The quest for LGBT rights and stigmatisation of gays in the Philippines continues, regardless of how tolerant Filipinos are. Their social acceptance only portrays a superficial inclusion of the LGBT sector, not their holistic integration, in society.

A Catholic devotee raises her hands during a procession ahead of the Black Nazarene feast day celebrations in Manila on January 7. Religious and moral standards of the older generation are a primary impediment to gay rights in the Philippines. Photo: EPA

It is the younger generation that sturdily supports LGBT rights, seeking their institutionalisation through legal and political means, and advocating for marriage equality and against discrimination. The general stance of older generations, strongly influenced by the moral standards of Catholicism and religious thinking, is viewed as one of the primary legal impediments and parallels the huge role played by politics.

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In 2009, the Ladlad party, representing the LGBT community, was denied party-list accreditation by the election commission to contest the 2010 polls, on the grounds that it advocated “sexual immorality” and “immoral doctrines.” The disconnect is clear with the public declarations of politicians supporting gay rights.