Councilors hear gay group pastor

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

THE Baguio City Council made history on Tuesday as the first local council to hear issues on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights and the recent same-sex unions held in Baguio City.

The investigation of the City Council stemmed from the recent same sex mass wedding conducted by the Metropolitan Community Church of Metro Baguio (MCC-MB), involving eight members of the LGBT community last June 25.

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Ethics Committee chair Councilor Phillian Weygan–Allan moved in a resolution the prohibition and banning of the same sex marriage in the city stating its effects on the image of the city.

Weygan stressed the MCC-MB is testing the waters and affecting the sensibilities of residents in the city with the mass weddings that created a stir in local and national media.

Meanwhile, Justice Committee chair Councilor Edison Bilog moved for the investigation of the MCC-MB’s conduct of the same sex weddings by the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police, citing violations of the Revised Penal Code.

On suspended rules, the councilors listened to MCC-MB Reverend Myke Sotero, one of the officiating pastors in the same-sex wedding, who explained that what transpired was a celebration of love between members of the LGBT community.

Sotero added that it was made clear during the pre-counseling that it is not marriage and the ceremony will not be valid under Philippine laws.

Sotero claimed they are not licensed to wed couples because there are no same sex laws in the country, but they bless couples regardless of sexual orientation because MCC bills itself as a human rights church.

He added, as a non-discriminating church, their membership has been open to all, including heterosexuals and their families.

Sotero added it is only media reports and misinterpretations of other groups, which construed that what they have been celebrating were marriages, but couples who joined their celebration know that the celebration was personal commitments between partners.

When asked on the proposed resolution of Weygan-Allan, he added they view it as a ‘hate ordinance’ as it violates their right to religion.

He added Bilog’s move to investigate the MCC is discriminatory as there was no violation on their part.

He added they will continue conducting same sex weddings and said that this month another union will be held.

Several Ecumenical and Christian churches in the city, meanwhile, disputed this view of MCC-MB and claimed what was celebrated was an act of marriage and insults moral sensibilities of the people of Baguio and Cordillera culture.

Baguio Benguet Ecumenical Group Reverend Joey Galinato said they uphold dignity of human beings regardless of sexual orientation, but value marriages of the family headed by a female mother and male father.

Galinato said teachers and religious leaders should remain vigilant in upholding family values and city officials should take action on the rite conducted by MCC-MB.

Multi-sectoral group representative and lawyer Alexander Bangsoy said the conducted same-sex wedding has also affected people’s rights, especially the youth who are bombarded with news, photos, and videos of men kissing.

He added the council session itself is already a precursor to the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Bill, which could highlight the legality of same-sex marriages in the country.

Seventh Day Adventist Church position statement sent to Sun.Star Baguio also stated they are against homosexual practices and relationships, as sexual intimacy should only belong to a man and a woman.

However, Carol Galvez, spokesperson of the LGBT and non-LGBT community alliance Baguio Pride Network said she was alarmed at the amount of information which can lead to misunderstanding and rash actions against LGBT.

She claimed discriminatory slurs against the members of the community by some groups were already being made. Remarks such as kadiri, mentally ill, abnormal, disorder, and “not sons of God” have already been noted by members of the LGBT community.

“These discriminating remarks of many parties clearly discriminate us and our human rights. It is an affront to our dignity and cause emotional harm,” Galvez said.

“We enjoin religious organizations to respect human rights of LGBTs with love, compassion, and understanding instead of [discriminating] against us,” she added.

The BPN also submitted to the members of the Council’s Committee on Laws a proposal for an ordinance banning any act of discrimination against members of the LGBT group.

Committee on Law Chair Councilor Richard Cariño said the Council is open to similar propositions from other groups until Friday to help them decide and aid them in whatever action they may take regarding the issues raised in session.

He ruled out any move to declare the LGBTs as unwelcome or persona non grata, stating there have been no such proposal made in the records of the Council.

He added there is no legal basis for any criminal action to be filed against the church and the couples who joined the mass wedding.