My old schoolmate, hardworking Library Foundation volunteer Glenn Cruz texted me two days ago:
“Situation in congress getting worse. Rep. Abante is in full gear for his battle against the Anti-Discrimination Bill. Today he brought his church followers in congress. They’re vowing to launch a values renewal campaign.”
This is serious. LAGABLAB has a detailed report on the vocal objection of the unabashedly homophobic Bienvenido Abante, who is, unbelievably, CHAIRPERSON of the HOUSE COMMITTEE on HUMAN RIGHTS. He’s now calling on different Christian groups to protest the approval of the bill, which was designed to protect the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Filipinos. Abante, who has previously called homosexuals “morally reprehensible,” among other outrageous and derogatory things, is using the Bible yet again to block the bill, and is threatening Congress with fire and brimstone:
“We cannot legislate on these. To abet sin and ungodliness is to invite the wrath of God upon ourselves and our God-loving nation.”
In another portion of the report, he said:
“Male and female created
Okay. First off, that “Adam and Steve” quip is lame, old, and stupid, just like everything horrendously bigoted that has spewed so far from this poorly informed man’s bileful mouth. Secondly, only those living in their fantasy worlds probably do not know it, but the real world is much more complex, and definitely more complicated than what the Bible has vividly presented. In this age, people, at least many of them, are trying to recognize and celebrate differences. Mature people can understand and accept their sexuality; consenting adults do things to each other that they want, and they’re none of other people’s business. Gay relationships exist and thrive, and those who lose sleep over that fact should then try to recognize some personal issues.
Now I don’t agree with Elton John’s statement from last week or so that religion should be banned. No, that freedom to believe or not is precious, and I personally believe that people should have that choice. But I agree with Mr. John that organized religion has inspired the persecution of homosexuals. It’s sad and detestable when some wayward followers cross the line, when their unthinking pronouncements meddle into the private lives of others who don’t live as they do, or follow the same ancient code. Even the “new guidelines for gay outreach” of Catholic bishops in the US, “are meant to be welcoming, while also telling gays to be celibate because the church considers their sexuality ‘disordered’,” according to a recent AP report (thanks for posting that, Gibbs!). Some excerpts:
“The guidelines condemn discrimination against gays and say it’s not a sin to be attracted to someone of the same sex—only to act on those feelings.
“Under the guidelines, parishes are instructed to help Catholics avoid the ‘lifestyle and values of a “gay subculture”’. Gays are also discouraged from telling anyone about their sexual orientation outside of a close circle of friends and supporters in the church.”
Utter crap. In other words, those guidelines are saying that, to be accepted in their group, you have to deny a crucial part of your being. Conditional tolerance... what a concept! So much of the old messages can be distorted by those few who are just so ready to quote verse after verse of condemnation. It’s just bizarre that sexuality, sexual identity, or sexual activities between grownups can be such evil things for some people.
And it’s quite puzzling that bogeymen like the congressman still exist. Mr. Abante isn’t saving the world; he’s making life miserable for more people, young and old gay Filipinos who need to be defended from attacks that he and similar gay-bashers would so easily justify with their deity’s words. He should just preach, resign from that committee and get the hell out of politics. He’s proven time and again that he has no business being there. “Sin and ungodliness”?
Hipokrito!
9 comments:
Values renewal campaign? Tama...dapat mag-umpisa sa kongreso. I heard about the congresswoman who stabbed a dining hall staff because she was served pansit with pork. Yes she's a Muslim but that does not justified STABBING someone.
Abante is of the same stuff -- caught up in his own importance. He should be doing something else. If he legislates morality, mauubos ang kongreso.
Hey Mark,
I read about the pansit incident yesterday; the lady is denying the stabbing accusation and says that she just threw down her glass of water. Hmm... We'll see how this develops.
As for Abante, yeah, he's a self-important crusader. Dapat muna siyang tumingin sa salamin.
self-righteousness sucks
Is there a counter-rally or something being organized by Lagablab? The problem is if Abante shows up with all his supporters and there is nary a peep from the ofhter side, that's tantamount to a tacit approval in the eyes of lawmakers if it seems like the people who stand to be most affected by this don't give a hoot.
If there is such a rally, count on me to be there.
Jac,
Yes it really does.
Ian,
I think there's a gay group gathering every time the bill is discussed. But I'll ask around. In the meantime, please check out Lagablab's blog, as well as Glenn's and Jonas B (Bagas)'s blogs, linked at the right, for announcements and related info.
I agree, people should make noise about this.
Mr. Abante's email address and contact numbers are in the Lagablab blog. It's in an October post, if I remember correctly. Please write to/ contact Speaker Jose De Venecia, too, and tell him how disgusted you are with Mr. Abante's homophobia. His email and numbers are posted too.
first. we all start as females. we only developed to males later. second. is anybody in congress defending the separation of church and state??
to me this is not about the gay issue. its about the separation of church and state issue.
Hi Max,
It's safe to assume that defenders of the bill are citing the church-state separation thing.
Well, it's both that issue, and a gay-bashing one.
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