CANDABA – A group of gay activists here asked for equal protection of laws from the local government as some of its members claimed they have experienced discrimination particularly during night time.
According to the leader of the group, who refused to be named, the local police have been allegedly hostile to the members of the third sex. Gays are being prohibited to stay in the plaza and other public places starting at 10 p.m.
“Bawal daw kami tumambay kasi daw may ordinansa na nagbabawal sa amin, kaya lang bakit kami lang ang pinagbabawalan? Kung may curfew talaga hindi lang dapat ipatupad sa aming mga bading, dapat pantay pantay sa pagpapatupad,” the leader said.
The group alleged that several months ago, some gays were apprehended and jailed for no valid reason. The group claimed they were treated “very badly,” with pictures of them taken just like ordinary criminals.
“Ang sa amin lang dapat ipatupad ang ordinansa ng walang kinikilingan,” Saddam Aga alias Mandy, a member of the group, said.
The gay group pointed out they play a big role in the development of Candaba. They claimed that most gays are talented and running their own businesses that somehow helps boost the town’s local economy.
“Kahit bading kami mayroon ding kaming silbi sa lipunan. Nakatutulong kami sa ibat ibang pamamaraan, kaya sana tratuhin naman kami ng tama at igalang ang karapatan namin bilang tao,” one of the gays said.
Sun.Star Pampanga also learned that seventy-five percent of gays here were reportedly being verbally abused and discriminated in community.
Discrimination is a behavior that treats people unequally because of their group memberships, ranging from name-calling to systemic oppression. (Herbert P. Mapiles)