LGBT:

Life Gets Better Together

This is for anyone who has had for their voices stolen,
This is for anyone who is a member, ally, or friend,
This is for the future of every LGBT person who is about to be born,
This is for now,
This time is now,
Dream of equality is now!

Introduction:
LGBT citizens may face different social attitudes and legal challenges
than heterosexual citizens with more traditional gender roles. Tolerance for LGBT
people has increased over the years due to greater education about sexual
orientation and gender identity issues and the growing visibility and political
activism of the LGBT community. Same-sex marriages are not legally recognized
and the LGBT community is not protected by any civil rights laws.

Miguel and Maria have three children, two daughters and the youngest is a boy named
John. Johns family is of a middle class and has a deep Christian attitude at things. During his
childhood his father played with him all the time of boy stuffs like action figures and the like. Yet
there were times that he loves playing dolls with his siblings. He loves to change the dress of
Barbie to different styles. John nonetheless did not show these things to his parents, most
especially to his father for he is afraid that he might be rejected. He tried to conceal his true
identity from his parents until high school. In school, however, he is at ease because he has
friends who are also of the same sexuality. John loves his boy classmates who are playing
basketball. He finds it hot if a boy is soaking in sweat because of playing. He loves them so
much.
John studied in the University of the Philippines in Diliman. While in college, he had
some intimate relationship with men. Upon learning this, his parents were infuriated and he was
dishonored by his family. He then tried to live by his own and jump into one relationship to
another with men just to fill the desire of acceptance. Then eventually, he has found what he was
been longing for. John had a great relationship with Eric and as the years pass they wanted to
get married. They tried their best, yet to no avail. A civil marriage cannot be given; much more
of a Church marriage. John tried to run for public office. However, he lost because of the reason
that he is gay. The life of John is a life of discrimination.

Same-Sex Marriage a Pilipino Context

A. Pilipino Religious View
The Philippines is a Christian country. The Code of Law of the Church
stipulates that marriage is between a man and a woman.1 The Canon speaks clearly
that the Roman Catholic Church does not accept same-sex marriages for it is

Canon Code of the Church.1995. This is the fundamental Code of Law of the Roman Catholic Church.

contrary to the Code which is believe to be the Law given by God to men to
follow.
B. Pilipino Moral View
There is this concept of natural law. This natural law is the nature of
realities, the objective substance, and the essence of earthly matters. No church and
no Pope, no government and no president, no people of any race, color and creed
can really change it. Ground realities as categorically and concretely determined by
nothing less than the Law of Nature are beyond denial or contradiction by any
contrary

human

opinion,

by

any

opposite

human

authority

or

legislation. Therefore: To think and affirm, to promote and proclaim that marriage
is between a man and a man or between a woman and a womanthis is an
excellent example of an exercise in futility.

C. Pilipino Legal View

The Philippine laws do not recognize the right of the LGBT citizens when it
comes to marriage.
The Philippine constitution provides that

The Family code of the Philippines provides that marriage is between a man
and a woman.