Ang Ladlad backs Noynoy, Binay

CEBU, Philippines - Ang Ladlad, the first lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights party vying for a seat in Congress, has thrown its support behind Liberal Party standard bearer Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino and Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino vice presidential aspirant Jejomar Binay.

Germaine Leonin, the third nominee of the group, said they decided to support the two because of “Noynoy’s support to two democracies and his greater political system and Binay’s implementation of pro-poor programs especially matters about senior citizens”.

Leonin visited Cebu yesterday for the group’s political campaign.

She said that the two have shown “willingness to share their resources”.

Ang Ladlad has a 22,000 current membership and affiliates nationwide and has 10 regional chapters in the country. It represents the sector of the Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgenders (LGBT).

Ang Ladlad’s other nominees who are in the different areas of the country for another political sortie include Naomi Fontanos, Bernz Benedito, Cris Lopera and Dexter Macaldo.

Leonin said that the group, if elected to Congress, will push for LGBT-friendly laws like anti-discrimination that will criminalize discrimination against LGBT.

She said they will push for the equal access to education, and employment, among other human rights.

“We will also support the Reproductive Health Bill. It would lessen the occurrence of people having HIV-Aids,” she said adding that they would also repel the anti-vagrancy law citing it as “anti-poor”.

Also, the group wants to build more “Golden Gay Homes” for the elderly and abandoned LGBTs. Livelihood programs, she said, will also be in their top priority.

When asked about their chance of gaining support from the heterosexuals, Leonin said they are confident of people who view LGBTs as “normal individuals who have the same basic human rights like everyone else”.

“We feel good about it. There’s a pink vote,” she said.

Leonin said that part of the group’s campaign sortie is to meet with Cebu local leaders and local LGBT members wherein they could present their platform.

She also downplayed speculations that Ang Ladlad will just bring mockery and ridicule to Congress.

“They might think that we are incapable for a seat in Congress. We have the proper education, we have a clear sight of our advocacies and we have the legal background,” she said.

The Comelec thumbed down Ladlad’s accreditation during the 2007 elections, saying that the partylist does not represent a marginalized and underprivileged sector of society.

Last April 8, with barely a month to go before the May 10 elections, the Supreme Court decided with finality on the accreditation of Ang Ladlad. — Marjun A. Baguio/BRP (THE FREEMAN)