In a country where abortion, divorce and same-sex marriage are banned, there happens to be the first elected transgender politician. The Philippines this week elected its first transgender person to congressional office. Geraldine Roman will represent the Bataan province.
It’s a significant milestone for the LGBTQ+ community in a Catholic dominated Philippines, a world where gay people are openly ridiculed by politicians and public figures.
After Geraldine’s victory, she told The Guardian :
“The politics of bigotry, hatred and discrimination did not triumph. What triumphed was the politics of love, acceptance and respect… I’m elated; very, very happy. I’m also excited to work. I realise that the burden is bigger because the stereotype of [LGBT] people… is we are frivolous, that we have nothing substantial to say, so I have to prove them wrong.”
In the light of this discussion, let’s not forget Shabnam ‘Mausi’ Bano is the first transgender Indian to be elected to public office. She was an elected member of the Madhya Pradesh State Legislative Assembly from 1998 to 2003.
Till date, same sex marriage is legal only in 21 countries and the people from LGBTQ+ community are still struggling to be accepted in the society. We hope this is an eye opener not only for Philippines but also for the entire world; it’s high time to not consider people from the LGTBQ+ community sinful and to start accepting them into society. They are as human as you and I; just with different choices. To not understand something doesn’t make it wrong. We have bigger issues to focus on like crime, rapes, terrorism, bullying, etc. than hating on people who have done no harm to us. All they want is to be themselves in a world of loneliness.
Wouldn’t you want the same? For years we have been talking about freedom, it’s time we discuss the true meaning of it.
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