LGBTs complain of discrimination in assistance for Yolanda survivors

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) social groups have denounced the discrimination they suffered from the distribution of livelihood assistance to survivors of typhoon Yolanda in this city.

During a resettlement forum held the other day in this city for Yolanda survivors, Arthur Golong, a gay who is the president of the homeowners group in a Habitat for Humanity housing project at Barangay 106, this city, aired his lament over the alleged unfair treatment against the LGBTs in identifying recipients of livelihood aid.

Golong said gays, who have been active members of the community especially in socio-cultural and political events before and after Yolanda struck the region, are now set aside by the bias against them.

Pushing the government to address this issue of discrimination against LGBTs, Golong divulged how he was disregarded himself in the distribution of livelihood assistance from the government.

In the forum, Golong narrated in Waray dialect the utter disregard of his fellow LGBTs only because the livelihood program was intended for male and female survivors.

“The government has no concrete help for LGBT persons,” he said, urging the government to come up with livelihood suited for them.

Calling such discrimination as “double vulnerability of the LGBT in society,” Golong expressed apprehension that the LGBT, who usually live alone in his residence, might not be given permanent housing.

“Those (LGBTs) who are living alone in their respective abodes might not be able to avail themselves of the housing program, which were usually given only to families,” he said, although in his case he was able to get housing assistance because he was part of a family, identified as beneficiary of the program.

Golong further pushed for recognition of the LGBTs in the society as equals of the male and female genders, and not pushed into a corner of unpleasant reputation due to their sexual preference. He also called on the police office to put up a Gender’s Desk that would also be sensitive to the LGBTs’ needs.