UP LSG Public Affairs Committee

June 25, 2013

Re: A Statement of Support for UP Pride Week 2013

On 2010, the Secretary-General of the United Nations expressed his concern on the prevalence of gender and sexual discrimination in a speech he made on Human Rights Day1: As men and women of conscience, we reject discrimination in general, and in particular discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identityWhere there is tension between cultural attitudes and universal human rights, rights must carry the day. Together, we seek the repeal of laws that criminalize homosexuality, that permit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, that encourage violence. The issue of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) rights is not mutually exclusive from that of human rights. In fact, the application of international human rights and the laws enshrining such is principled by a struggle to eliminate any and all forms of discrimination. Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights specifically states that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. The phrase all human beings is, in itself, an all-inclusive term that upon its face does not qualify. This means the enjoyment and experience of human rights, as ought to be within the bounds of international customary norm, ought to not look down upon sexual orientation or gender identity. Violence against the LGBT community is still a prevalent occurrence to this day. Neither does the Philippines have legislation specifically targeting the penalization of persons identified to be LGBT, nor are there specific statutes geared towards the protection of LGBT rights, considering the unique needs of the LGBT community, as regards various basic services in our country.

Annual Report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High th Commissioner and the Secretary-General; Human Rights Council, 19 Session. 17 Nov 2011.
CENTRAL BOARD: Ernesto Herrera III, Evening Representative Czarina Vijulet N. Jusi, Evening Representative th David I. Del Castillo, 4 Year Representative th Ann Margaret K. Lorenzo, 4 Year Representative rd Juan Paolo C. Agbayani, 3 Year Representative rd Dave Oliver P. Anastacio, 3 Year Representative nd Lawrence Gerard T. Ortiz, 2 Year Representative nd Raphael A. Pangalangan, 2 Year Representative

Marie Louise N. Camino, President Jose Antonio Rafael G. Santos, Internal Vice President Jelorie F. Gallego, External Vice President Carmina M. Mangalindan, Secretary Antonio Bonifacio C. Reynes, Treasurer Carlo Augustine A. Roman, Public Relations Officer John Paul R. Rotap, College Representative to the USC

Sexual discrimination is increasingly becoming institutionalized, even in government decisions and policies, as was the case when Ang Ladlad LGBT Party Inc. (Ang Ladlad), a national coalition seeking to represent the marginalized and under-represented sector that is the LGBT community, was first rejected by the Second Division of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in an eight-page resolution citing both verses from the Bible and the Koran, and labeling the organization as advocating immoral doctrines2. The Supreme Court later set aside this resolution and granted Ang Ladlads application for party-list accreditation3 Discriminatory practices still persist in various regions within the country, particularly in areas stricken with poverty and a lack of education. The absence of applicable national laws ensuring non-discrimination actually gives way to more discrimination in the private sphere. There is a pressing need to address all of these challenges to curb and eventually eliminate discriminatory practices. The recent United States Supreme Court decision declaring the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional highlights how an individual, regardless of sexual orientation, is entitled to the protection of his or her personhood and dignity. We continuously rely on this, along with the aggressive movements in other parts of the world, to establish equal protection for the LGBT community, to serve as a catalyst in sparking change in the Philippines. It is encouraging that the premiere university in the country, the University of the Philippines, annually celebrates Pride Week as a way of recognizing and educating the public that LGBT and Sexual Rights are Human Rights. But while UP has continued to be at the forefront of the struggle for Gender and Sexual Equality, the struggle does not just end within the walls of the university. As students of the Law, we have a duty to uphold every persons constitutionally mandated right to life, liberty, and property4, especially outside the cushions of formal education. This includes the protection of a significant aspect and expression of a persons life: his or her sexual orientation. The College of Law joins the UP community in the fight to end discrimination. We take pride in advocating equality, understanding, and acceptance beyond mere tolerance.

2 3

Ang Ladlad LGBT Party v. COMELEC. GR No. 190582. April 8, 2010. Id.

ART. III, Sec. 1. 1987 CONST.

Ernesto Herrera III, Evening Representative Czarina Vijulet N. Jusi, Evening Representative th David I. Del Castillo, 4 Year Representative th Ann Margaret K. Lorenzo, 4 Year Representative rd Juan Paolo C. Agbayani, 3 Year Representative rd Dave Oliver P. Anastacio, 3 Year Representative nd Lawrence Gerard T. Ortiz, 2 Year Representative nd Raphael A. Pangalangan, 2 Year Representative

CENTRAL BOARD:

Marie Louise N. Camino, President Jose Antonio Rafael G. Santos, Internal Vice President Jelorie F. Gallego, External Vice President Carmina M. Mangalindan, Secretary Antonio Bonifacio C. Reynes, Treasurer Carlo Augustine A. Roman, Public Relations Officer John Paul R. Rotap, College Representative to the USC