Too Many Gays in Philippines Congress?

By Advocate.com Editors

GAY FILIPINOS IN CONGRESS (GETTY) | ADVOCATE.COM

An election official in the Philippines said Monday that gays and lesbians cannot be considered marginalized in society because there are already too many of them in the nation's congress.

Nicodemus Ferrer told reporters that gays and lesbians are “overly represented” in congress. He was commenting on a decision to reject gay rights group Ang Ladlad’s request for party-list representation in the legislature.

“I have been telling them, you are not under-represented… actually you are over-represented in the Lower House and Upper House,” Ferrer told reporters.

When asked, he declined to name names.

In reporting the story, The Philippine Star, an English-language news publication for the “Filipino global community,” refers to gays and lesbians as “the third sex.” They say Ferrer argues that once gays and lesbians are elected to office, they can no longer be considered marginalized.

POST COMMENT(1) EMAIL PRINT RECOMMEND

‹‹Previous Article in Category | Next Article in Category››

Reader Comments

Back to top Post a Comment
Name: Mike
Date posted: 11/18/2009 9:53:58 PM
Hometown: Manila, Philippines

Comment:
The guy who was quoted (Ferrer) is the chair of the division of the Commission on Elections, which ruled against the accreditation of the gay rights group. Aside from quoting St. Paul and the Koran, Ferrer wrote: "[f]urthermore, should this Commission grant the petition [for accredition], we will be exposing our youth to an environment that does not conform tothe teachings of our faith. Lehman Strauss, a famous bible teacher and writer in the U.S.A said in one article that ''older practicing homosexuals are a threat to the youth"'. As an agency of the government, ours too is the State's avowed duty under Section 1312, Article I1 of the Constitution to protect our youth from moral and spiritual degradation." As a law student, I can say this is a dumbass decision (Whoever that Strauss is, he can't be source of legal principles on public morality, with emphasis on "public" as opposed to "religious". As a gay person, I'm really appalled by the claim that gay people abuse the young.

More Online Only

Washington D C View From Washington: Mullen's Moment

COMMENTARY: With Adm. Mike Mullen clearing the way, the LGBT movement has a clear shot at finally eliminating "don't ask, don't tell." But will activists seize the moment?

Photography Artist Spotlight: Didio

São Paulo photographer Didio says he enjoys observing the daily life of normal men. If these photographs tell us anything, it's that Brazil has raised the bar on what defines normal.

DVDs Hot Sheet: Sade, Channing Tatum

This week's hot sheet includes a movie about a gay romance in Jerusalem’s ultra-orthodox Jewish community... and shirtless performances by Channing Tatum and Jonathan Rhys Meyers.

Commentary The Upside of Open Relationships
COMMENTARY: Two new studies out of San Francisco show the majority of gay men thrive in open relationships. So why are we so committed to pursuing monogamy?

Books Jackie Collins Takes on Hollywood

From overdoses to horny old men to gay guys landing leading roles, best selling novelist Jackie Collins runs her mouth... and it's juicier than ever.

Sports Weir Comes Out ... Against Anti-Fur Activists

With one week to go before the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, irrepressible men’s figure skating star Johnny Weir talks about the threats that led him to rip tufts of fur from his long-program costume.

Music Stephin Merritt Keeps It Real

Stephin Merritt, the lead singer of the critically lauded group the Magnetic Fields, is one of the few openly gay artists in today's music world. Just don't call him "indie."

News Features The Strains of DADT on One Couple

Andrew Cirner tells the story of his relationship with a military man, evading "don't ask, don't tell," a blackmailing ex-lover, and the extreme steps his mother took to save the day.

Television Sarah Silverman's Wild Mustache Ride
The Sarah Silverman Program’s sporty, taboo-skewering star promises a very gay season and renews her vow to stay unmarried until there’s marriage equality.

Sports Saints Linebacker Fujita Tackles Gay Marriage

As New Orleans Saints linebacker Scott Fujita gears up for Super Bowl XLIV, Fujita talks to The Advocate about standing up for gay rights and against inequality, and about Tim Tebow's draft prospects thanks to Focus on the Family.

Commentary Mosbacher Family Affair

Nanette Gartrell pays tribute to former Secretary of Commerce Bob Mosbacher, the father of her partner, Dee. Mosbacher, one of the Republican Party’s most successful fund-raisers, passed away in January.

News Features The Faces of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
Tuesday's Senate hearing sparked what promises to be the biggest discussion of "don't ask, don't tell" since the antigay policy was instituted in 1993. So The Advocate is spotlighting some of the biggest voices on both sides of the debate.

News Features They're Having a Baby

Thomas Moore, husband to fellow transgender man Scott, talks to The Advocate about helping his spouse get through nine months of doctor issues, baby showers, and bellyaches.

Prop 8 Prop. 8 Plaintiffs Speak
Jeff Zarrillo and Paul Katami, two of the four plaintiffs challenging California’s Prop. 8 in federal court, talk to Advocate.com about their resolve (and occasional nerves) during the testimony phase of the trial.

Music The Grammy Awards in Pictures

From Lady Gaga's many costume changes to Pink's wet and wild aerial act, take a look at the some of the highlights from Sunday night's Grammy awards.

DVDs Hot Sheet: Mel, Duhamel, lang, and Swank
A peek into what you'll be watching and listening to this week turns up zombies, Bette Davis, and Mel Gibson still kicking ass and taking names.

Books Book Excerpt: The Play That Changed My Life

Playwright Doug Wright, who was awarded the Pulitzer, a Tony, and a GLAAD Media Award for his play I Am My Own Wife, remembers how Charles Ludlam's Ridiculous Theatrical Company inspired his illustrious career.

Activism Leaderless
Porn impresario Michael Lucas looks for the country’s gay Martin Luther King Jr., and finds little to celebrate.

Film Not Gay, Not Lesbian, But...

From Gaga to Fergie, Real World's Mike Manning to Michael Urie, The Advocate looks at celebs who like it both ways.

News Features Gay Rights (and Cruising) on the Super Bowl?

CBS opens the door to "advocacy" commercials during the Super Bowl. But a gay hookup site could score before a gay rights group does.

Society Life on the G-list: Episode 2

It may be the most cliché line in all of Hollywood: “What’s my motivation?” And for actor David Moretti, motivation does not include having just conquered Britney, Beyoncé, or J.Lo.