‘Equality is name of game’

It’s high time we end the stigma against them, for they are, after all, our fellow Filipinos

As discussions on the rights of the members of the LGBTQI+ community gather steam, Sen. Richard J. Gordon stressed all people should be treated equally and with respect whatever gender they are.

Gordon emphasized that the rights of the individual should be upheld.

“Everyone has to live with who they are. The problem is society would not let them (LGBTQIA+) live for what they are… Convention has forced us to take traditional positions that we are going to have to make adjustments to. I would just like to emphasize that I am for equality. I respect the individual for what he or she is,” Gordon said.

The senator gave the statement after Sen. Risa Hontiveros brought to the Senate floor the discrimination transwoman Gretchen Diez experienced at a mall in Quezon City.

“Our society should start acknowledging the members of the LGBTQIA+ community for what they are and what they choose to be. We should not judge them based on the life they choose. Rather, we must embrace them as members of our society. It’s high time we end the stigma against them, for they are, after all, our fellow Filipinos. I have friends and staff who are members of the LGBTQIA+ community and they live and work really passionately and virtuously. They exert tremendous effort to make sure that they live their life with utmost pride. And I commend them for that,” Gordon said.

He pointed out it may be a challenge to fine-tune society to accept the reality that there are people who live outside of the conventionally-accepted genders, and adjustments would have to be made in terms of culture, language and even in some infrastructure.

“It may be a challenge to fine-tune society to a new reality, but we will definitely strive to make sure that everybody treats everyone equally. After all, the Constitution assures us that all men are created equal and everyone has the right to life, liberty and property,” he stressed.