CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community have more reasons to celebrate this pride month as the City Government of the City of San Fernando aired support over the legalization of same-sex civil union in the country.
During the launching of this city’s LGBT June Pride Month celebration, Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin stressed that the City Government has been an advocate of equality among all sectors, including the right to have a family.
“Dito po sa San Fernando, ang gusto natin ay pantay-pantay. Gusto natin i-unite ang lahat ng sector at mabigyan sila ng pantay-pantay na karapatan kaya iyong suporta natin sa nararapat na matanggap ng mga kasama nating LGBT ay buong-buo rin,” Lazatin said.
The re-elected vice mayor urged members of the LGBT community to raise their concerns to the City Government by channeling their recommended local resolutions or ordinances through the Provincial Board.
The LGBT members and gender equality advocate are consolidating support from the government and civic organizations to expedite the approval of the petition to allow same-sex union in the country which is still pending before the Supreme Court.
“We welcome any recommendations or petitions, actually we urge LGBT members to channel resolutions that will benefit them through the council and the proper committee will be studying it. Rest assured that as vice mayor, I will be supporting anything that is for the common good of Fernandinos,” he said.
He also disclosed that a local resolution that will promote the passage of same sex union in the country will be thoroughly tackled and reviewed by the city council when they commence their session by June 30.
A ray of hope
The members of the LGBT community, meanwhile, described the new development as “a ray of hope” in finally achieving their long quest to start a family that will be recognized legally in the country.
“Malaking bagay sa amin na maramdaman iyong suporta mula mismo sa gobyerno at sana magtuluy-tuloy ito para naman mabigyan kami ng pagkakataon na makabuo ng pamilya na may basbas ng simbahan o kahit sa civil lang at hindi iyong jowa or live-in lang,” said LGBT King 2019 Ace Gomez.
Siwala president Randy Ocampo also noted that the constant support of the City Government to the LGBT community empowers the members to come out and show their true color and identity to the society.
“Sa isang environment na hindi kami tanggap, nalilimitahan ang aming kakayahan na magperform o ipakita yung talento namin na pwede sanang makatulong sa community o sa mga kapwa tao kaya nagpapasalamat kami sa city government hindi lang dahil tanggap nila kami kundi dahil sa malaking suporta na ibinibigay nila sa amin,” he said.
Ocampo furthered that Siwala, which is the official LGBT group in this capital city, has around 600 members, some of them are employees at the city government or are engaged in different industry or civic groups.
On June 14, the Siwala will lead a LGBT Walk of Pride as part of the month-long celebration wherein around 400 members and several advocates wearing their colorful and creatively-made sportswear are expected to participate, Ocampo said.