The right to marry

Should same-sex marriage be legalized in the Philippines? I BEG to disagree. Okay nâ recognize LGBTQ (lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, queers) as part community.

naman guro nga gina- ang But we should also remember the law of God, that man is meant for woman.

sang – MALLADA, ROSILFA ANDREA student, Janiuay, Iloilo

Religion or culture cannot prevent two people of the same sex to be in a relationship because of compatibility, love and commitment. LGBTQ hopes for liberated and open-minded people to accept them, including in marriage. – ACUPINPIN,

ANTHONETTE student, West Visayas State University Disagree. modern society there will be judgment.

couple suffer so Biskan ano ka- ang better not. – ESCALERA, Para sa akun indi lang ang ang ma- kundi ang ila “bata”

RIZA MAE teacher, St. Roberts Academy As a bisexual I agree with same-sex marriage. We are also human beings who need respect and attention. I believe “LOVE conquers ALL.” Let people express themselves as to who they really are. –

RUNEL R. CASTRO, LGBTQ supporter, Barangay Tanza Baybay, Iloilo City As an elder sister who has gay and lesbian siblings, ma- disagree love life not with marriage.

ako. judge – Ginasuportahan ko sila sa ila mga pero Indi ko lang sila gusto mahuy-an kag i- sang mga mapintas bâbâ. KHEZIA BALAGOSA, 21, self-employed, Iloilo City

I agree that the same-sex marriage should be legalized in the Philippines. It’s already 2018 and I believe there should be progress in how we view a person. It’s no longer just “man” or “woman” but what the persons choose to be. – CALUBA,

KYLIE former call center agent, Jaro, Iloilo City I don’t agree same-sex marriage

sa kay salâ inâ sa panulukan sang Diyos kag sang batas. Nabutang sa Bibliya daan nga ang babaye para lang sa

– lalaki. Dakô nga salâ ang maghigugma sa isig ya kapareho nga lalaki ukon babaye. ZELLE BALAYO, 19, student, Banate Iloilo

I believe everyone should have the right to legal union. I know not everyone in the LGBT community feels the need for marriage. But I also believe the Philippines should not discriminate anybody when it comes to happiness. I’ve been at a Pride March and we also had priests marching by our side. In that sense, there shouldn’t be anything holding us back from having same-sex marriage. –

RONETTE TEJONES, LGBTQ advocate, Pavia, Iloilo

Section 1, Article III (Bill of Rights) of the 1987 Constitution provides that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws. Let this article do the talking. I do believe that marriage is for everybody, and even the LGBT community deserves it too. – NIKKO,

DJ 28, artist, Iloilo City

21st century and still discrimination? For once in your life, can you please stop using your religions against this issue?

There’s nothing wrong in being bisexual or gay. I do believe that marriage is for everybody. harsh dâ

Ka- lang ‘bi nga ang mga mango gani walâ breeding, walâ judge. Then nga may mataas nga pwesto sa administrasyon, politiko nga mga buaya,

grammar Mocha kag Presidente nga ninyo gina- nga-a dapat Uson? – kame gid hilabtan ‘ya? Pwede kag kabastosan danay ni

QUEEN B, 29, bisexual, Iloilo City For now, no. Filipinos LGBT churches. Much better instead of legalizing

Kasi karamihan sa mga hindi pa tanggap ang same-sex marriage they should work to make people accept LGBT first.

sa lipunan, lalo na sa na One step at a time, implement law majority of the citizens

kasi mahirap naman mag- ng isang kung educate first the people. – JOHN, hindi pumapayag. Para iwas gulo at sakit ng ulo,

21, bisexual, Cebu City In a country where the number of people identified and grouped as LGBT is increasing, maybe it’s time for same-sex marriage to be legalized. I’m not saying now, but of course, with proper study and its effects to the public. However, I am hoping that this chance will be given to these people who are also hoping to have a family of their own. On the other side, this is best for a country with a rapid population growth. –

M. CYRIL, 20, student (Compiled by Jimboy Dionela and Mariane Camell Braseliño, interns,

West Visayas State University – College of Communication)