1st in Iloilo: Gays protest radio slur

ILOILO CITY — In a first for this city, members and supporters of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community on Friday held a protest rally to decry an antigay comment by a radio broadcaster and blogger.

More than 100 members of the community, led by the Iloilo Pride Council and LGBTQ rights advocates, gathered at the Sunburst Park to denounce the controversial statement of former Iloilo provincial administrator Manuel “Boy” Mejorada.

Mejorada last week spoke in a live interview over dyFM Bombo Radyo about a complaint he filed for alleged unexplained wealth against Ruel Von Superio, an executive assistant of Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor.

Vulnerable

Superio, who had openly admitted being gay, has repeatedly denied Mejorada’s allegation.

In the interview, Mejorada commented on Superio’s being gay as a possible reason for his alleged corruption.

“I don’t belittle gay brothers but they are more vulnerable to corruption because they have vices to maintain. They have their boyfriends to keep happy,” Mejorada said near the end of the interview.

His comment drew widespread condemnation on social media, especially from the LGBTQ community which accused him of stereotyping gays.

Mejorada apologized for his controversial remarks.

He said it was not his intention to “disparage” members of the LGBTQ community.

Mejorada’s apology failed to placate the LGBTQ community which said his comments had no place in Iloilo City.

Unfair

Protesters brought placards and rainbow flags and banners as speakers took turns denouncing Mejorada’s statement calling it discriminatory and unfair to all gays and members of the LGBTQ.

“We come from all sectors and many of us are highly talented and accomplished,” said Harry Canilao of the Rainbow Guardians, one of several groups that joined the protest.

“We diligently work and pay our taxes and we are not corrupt,” said Iris Inoceto of Bahaghari-Iloilo.

At the culmination of the program, the protesters burned an effigy of a pig symbolizing discrimination against members of their community.