Ladlad prods Congress on passage of RH bill

MANILA, Philippines - Ladlad, the party-list group representing the Filipino lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, yesterday called on Congress to prioritize the passage of the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill, saying it could help curb incidents of early pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

“The lack of information and services on reproductive and sexual health has resulted in young people and adolescents engaging in unsafe sexual activities that put them at risk of early pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV (human immunodeficiency virus),” said Ladlad chair Bemz Benedito.

Ladlad, in a press conference yesterday in Ortigas, Pasig City, said the RH bill has long been pending and that Congress should prioritize it when it opens next month.

Meanwhile, Ladlad said Filipinos, particularly members of the LGBT community, should have access to accurate, age-appropriate and evidence-based sex education.

“This will enable them to make informed and responsible choices about their sexual and reproductive health without guilt, shame or fear,” Benedito said.

“For LGBT Filipinos, this is essential, given the deep-seated issues of self-hate and internalized homophobia that result from their lack of access to information and education on sexuality.”

In a statement, Ladlad said it is “particularly alarmed” by the actions of the Catholic Church, especially its opposition to the RH bill.

It said the Church’s opposition to the bill is similar to the stand of the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) Second Division to deny the party-list its accreditation.