A GAY rights group has called on President-elect Rodrigo Duterte to focus on “three Ks” that will help improve their way of life: “Kabuhayan at dagdag sahod (jobs and higher wages), Kalusugan (healthcare) and Kontra-diskriminasyon (antidiscrimination policies).”
Members of Bahaghari, a “national democratic and community-based” LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) rights organization, made the appeal shortly before the 2016 Metro Manila Pride Festival in Rizal Park on Saturday afternoon as they staged a protest at the corner of Kalaw and Taft Avenues in Manila.
“Duterte promised that he would end contractualization—LGBTs are very much affected by [this]. But at the same time, we are demanding that everyone, not just LGBTs, receive just compensation and more stable jobs,” said Aaron Bonette, Bahaghari secretary general.
On healthcare, Bonette urged the new administration to focus on providing HIV/AIDS patients more treatment options.
“We are one of the countries with the worst HIV/AIDS situation. This has been a perennial problem which the Aquino administration failed to address,” he said.
According to Bonette, they were optimistic that antidiscrimination laws protecting LGBTs would be passed under Duterte’s governance, despite a seemingly antigay remark he made against rival Mar Roxas during the campaign period.
Duterte had called Roxas “bayot,” the Visayan word for gay, after the former interior secretary expressed doubt over the Davao City mayor’s promise to end criminality within three to six months should he be elected president.
“We strongly condemned that statement and hopefully, Duterte will be more sensitive in his choice of words,” said Bonette.
Asked why their hopes for better antidiscrimination laws remained high, Bonette said that Davao has an antidiscrimination ordinance which was being strongly implemented.
“However, we shouldn’t be satisfied with mere ordinances. There should be a cultural change wherein LGBTs would be truly recognized and respected,” he added.