[LAGABLAB Press Release, November 16, 2006]

Resign from Human Rights Committee, Rep. Abante urged

The Lesbian and Gay Legislative Advocacy Network (LAGABLAB-Pilipinas), a network of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender organizations and activists, condemned today Manila Representative and House Committee on Human Rights Chair Bienvenido Abante for "his homophobia and atrocious ignorance of the basic principles of human rights." Yesterday, Rep. Abante questioned AKBAYAN Rep. Etta Rosales's sponsorship of HB 637, a proposed bill that seeks to penalize discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBTs).

LAGABLAB said that Abante's ridiculous opposition to a human rights measure like the Anti-Discrimination Bill betrays a fundamental disregard and disrespect of his mandate as the Human Rights Committee chair. "He should resign from his position if he himself cannot grasp the universality of human rights and human dignity," LAGABLAB Sec. Gen. Jonas Bagas said. "He should also undergo human rights education to understand that in our Constitution and in various international human rights agreements that the Philippines signed, equal protection from discrimination is guaranteed for all, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity."

"How can he promote human rights when he has no sense of empathy and compassion? Human rights are about recognizing that regardless of our differences and our diversity, we are all equal. Obviously, Rep. Abante has not experienced what it is like to be abused or to be discriminated," Bagas added.

LAGABLAB said that lesbians and gays lose their jobs, get expelled from schools, and experience physical abuse because the society still treats them as second class citizens. "There are narrow-minded people like Rep. Abante who help deepen the stigma against homosexuals. There are parents who beat their presumably gay or lesbian children to 'correct' their homosexuality or to stop them from cross dressing. When they're thrown away from their homes, or when homosexuals lose their jobs, they have to deal with discrimination's inhumane consequences," Bagas said.

Bagas also chided the solon for spreading false information on the bill. "The Anti-Discrimination Bill will not allow for the legal recognition of same-sex marriage. It is only about curbing discriminatory practices and policies. To claim otherwise is to commit a grave lie," he explained.

He clarified, however, that not all religious people or religious organizations are as bigoted as Rep. Abante. "During the 12th Congress, the bill was supported by other religious organizations, specifically the NCCP/UCCP and Iglesia ni Kristo. We in LAGABLAB are aware that there are religious denominations that are opposed to homosexuality but are nonetheless in solidarity with the LGBT community in protecting their rights and freedoms," Bagas said. He added that other human rights organizations are supporting and campaigning for the bill's passage, among them Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the International Commission of Jurists.

LAGABLAB is urging lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders to write protest letters to Rep. Abante (visit www.lagablab.wordpress.com). "We will campaign against him in his own district and his own city. We don't take bigotry sitting down, especially those coming from public officials who enjoy the privileges provided by the taxes that we pay," Bagas warned.

LAGABLAB urged Congress to expedite the approval of the Anti-Discrimination Bill. "We've been pushing for this for six years. We urge the leadership of the House of Representatives to pass the bill before the end of the month. We also urge Senator Bong Revilla, who authored the Senate version of the bill, to push for its approval in the Senate. The plight of the LGBT community should not be ignored," Bagas appealed.