The recent decision of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) disqualifying Ang Ladlad to participate in the coming 2010 elections as partylist representing the Lesbian, Gays, Transgendered and Bisexual (LGBT) community on the basis of being “immoral and threat to the youth” is reeking with extreme discrimination. TLF Sexuality, Health and Rights Educators Collective (TLF SHARE), a non-government organization working for GBT people condemns this decision as utmost violation of the rights of the LGBT community to participate in governance and decision making. This decision further stigmatizes and places the LGBT people at the mercy of bigotry and hatred.
TLF SHARE believes that the COMELEC has no credibility to talk about morality when in a lot of cases it was an instrument of political manipulation and distortion of the real will of the people. COMELEC’s lack of integrity and credibility is the real threat to the youth and their future. TLF SHARE strongly believes that the desire of the LGBT community to participate in a democratic exercise is guaranteed by the Constitution and globally accepted human rights principles and statutes.
This act of bigotry makes a national anti-discrimination legislation more compelling. We therefore call on Rep. Lorenzo “Erin” Tanada III, Chair of the Human Rights Committee of the House of Representatives to schedule a hearing and deliberation of the proposed Anti-Discrimination Bill filed by AKBAYAN Rep. Risa Hontiveros, which has been “gathering dust” in his committee. A congressional action to provide a remedy to COMELEC’s bigotry is urgent.
TLF SHARE, furthermore, calls on its allies, friends, and members of the LGBT community to make a collective stand against this arbitrary and homophobic decision of the Commission on Elections. This kind of decision and even institution has no place in a diverse humane, caring and respectful society that TLF SHARE envisions for everyone.”
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