Gays, lesbians march to denounce martial law

Members of the so-called "third sex" yesterday denounced the "martial rule" that the Arroyo administration is allegedly currentbrewing.

The issue has raised fear among members of the third sex that this may mean more discrimination towards lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders.

"Even now that martial rule is yet to be enforced, gays and lesbians are already experiencing discrimination. How much more if the administration would indeed implement such represeive measure?" said Michael Falguera, secretary-general of the Progressive Organization of Gays in the Philippines (ProGay-Philippines).

ProGay-Philippines and Lesbians for National Democracy (LESBOND) yesterday marched around the Quezon City Memorial Circle and urged the government to help them achieve equal rights in society.

According to Falguera, repressive measures such as martial rule often victimizes gays and lesbians because it imposes, among others, curfews and vagrancy policy.

Martial rule would likewise intensify brutality, extortion and other forms of abuse against the third sex, especially from members of the police and military, he added.

"It has been the practice of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders to come out at night because it is only at night that we are able to express ourselves, our sexuality," Falguera pointed out.

If Martial Law would be revived, curfew and vagrancy ordinances would again be imposed, which obviously would affect us most," he added.

ProGay Philippines and LESBOND has been pushing for a political agenda for the promotion of their rights. The groups said that discrimination against their members continue, with their gender orientation or gender identity being used against them especially in the workplace or when seeking employment.

They also said that members of the third sex do not have protection from domestic violence, with unprotected family role and property relations. The groups furthered that the government remains insensitive to their needs.