Lesbians, gays group seeks city sector rep

THE community of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) are seeking  sectoral representation that will push for the community’s empowerment in Cebu City.

Magdalena Robinson, 27, president of the Cebu Rainbow LGBT, said even with a tolerant society in Cebu City, it’s inevitable that their sector would still remain a “laughingstock” to many people.

“We should empower this diverse sector to lessen the discrimination,” Robinson said in an interview during the first LGBT congress in Cebu City.

Robinson said they organized the event to bring together the fragmented LGBT in Cebu City and make a strong representation that will lobby for the Anti Discrimination bill which was  pending at the  Cebu City Council.

“We want to be recognized as a sector of society who will be dully respected and developed,” Robinson, a trans-gender said.

Robinson said the LGBT would often experience discrimination in the workplace where they would be refused from work opportunities or in the public places where they would be ridiculed and would not be given entry to some places.

The group is supporting the proposed ordinance sponsored by Cebu City Councilor Alvin Dizon, which will declare as unlawful the refusal of any establishment or group to provide service or programs to persons due to their age, health status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity and religion.  /Reporter Candeze R. Mongaya