More than just parades

He raised sound questions about the proposed ordinance to ban discrimination of transgenders.

But Cebu Provincial Board Member Joeyboy Holganza didn’t have to spice up his comments with a patronizing suggestion for Cebu’s gay community to be content with a “gay pride parade” instead of a local law.

PB members chuckled, but didn’t bring the discussion forward after Holganza gave his comments as head of the committe on human rights.

Wisely so, they avoided a premature discussion in the wrong atmosphere.

If he had spoken elsewhere, say the United States where the gay community is well organized and vocal, he would have been hounded in both traditional and social media.

Considering the strong Catholic influence in Cebu, cradle of Christianity in the country, Holganza’s suggestion only reflects the tolerant, yet deeply conservative views of Cebuanos to members of the third sex.

There are achievers in art, fashion, media, education and entertainment who are unafraid to show their choice of lifestyle. But these are the exceptions, who enjoy a measure of success.

The proposed ordinance of PB Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy seeks to address the problem of discrimination in the workplace.

“Transgenders… are often the objects of workplace discrimination,” he writes in his rationale,” and are usually at the receiving end of verbal abuse, physical assault or even outright rejection or undue dismissal from employment.”

How widespread is the intolerance? How many are actually affected?

When this draft ordinance gets scheduled for public hearing, the discussion needs to proceed with more dignity, without the giggles of legislators.

However, Holganza had a point in questioning the lack of clear definitions in the proposal. In fact, there is no definition of what a “transgender” is in the draft, a glaring oversight by Sitoy as if he expects the public to fill in the blanks.

Thorough discussion of the draft ordinance is also needed because of the potential impact on employers. Those find guilty of six different acts would be liable to pay a fine of P5,000 or have one’s business permit suspended for one year or revoked.

The ordinance will surely open up a debate about social norms and stereotypes, and may not be approved at all, but it will introduce a new way of considering the gay community which is not bigotry or intolerance but understanding and acceptance as individuals with human dignity.

If only for that, the proposed ordinance should see the light of day and not be relegated to a one-day street parade.