Controversies Associated with LGBT

The unfavorable history of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community
in the Philippines encompasses several circumstances when the former claimed being inflicted of
discriminatory action or treatment. Public perception on the unconventional practices and custom
of the sector has been manifested by crimes being committed and government policies that
prolong the challenge for struggle to recognize homosexual rights. A predetermined restraint over
same-sex acknowledgment on the matter of societal support and state prerogative is being
observed during the course of events involving the community which was deemed to be
controversial.

The timeline of LGBT issues began in April 2010 when the Commission on Elections
(COMELEC) decision to disqualify gay party Ang Ladlad revealed the failure to promote public
interest and regard as tantamount to condemnation of homosexuals, according to a Philippine
Supreme Court ruling (CNN International, 2010). A motion to reject the first same-sex political
party in the country on the basis of morality purports the marginal representation of the community
in congressional office. The denial of an LGBT partylist in the legislature was followed by the
homicide of transgender Jeffrey Laude y Serdoncillo in October 2014 which a police investigation
report shows that the suspect’s eventual discovery of his gender identity prompted the death of
the victim (Rappler, 2014). Cases of physical abuse against transgenders and other members of
the sector are similarly described in police findings as crimes of hatred. A casualty from the
discrimination committed not in favor of the community has been repressed by an election
interview in February 2016 when senatorial candidate Manny Pacquiao asserted that hardly any
animal or animals of one sex engage in an intercourse if based on common sense (Inquirer,
2016). The comparison between animals and humans in terms of sexual orientation signifies a
humiliation of a person or an individual. An attempt to justify the proper order of sexual attraction
have been further stressed by the arrest of another transgender, Gretchen Diez in August 2019
which revealed his imprisonment inside a mall security office after entering the women’s restroom
(Philippine Star, 2019). Incidents of detention involving the members of LGBT without due process
show a violation of the Quezon City ordinance which strictly imposes a gender equality rule. To
the resolve of the matter, a question for the lawmakers disclosed Senate President Vicente Sotto
III’s opposition to the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) bill (Inquirer,
2019). The principle of rejecting the proposed legislation is the proper order of sexual attraction
that will likely prolong the struggle to promote homosexual privileges. The crusade for the
community’s recognition has reached the Supreme Court again which indicated that legalizing
same-sex marriage should be undertaken by the legislative branch of government (Philippine
Star, 2019). A ground for denial of the petition is the national government’s separation of branches
wherein the high court shall exercise its judicial power to settle concerns regarding rights that are
demandable, according to Section 1, Article VIII of the 1987 Constitution.