LESBIANS REACT OVER CRISTY FERMIN’S STATEMENT

A group of lesbian lawyers reacted to the alleged malicious statement of veteran showbiz writer and tv host, Cristy Fermin, to singer/actress Aiza Seguerra, advising the latter not to talk about morality because she “lives an immoral life.”

Lately, Seguerra found herself in the controversy after tweeting on the incident involving a 6-year old boy gyrating as a 'macho' dancer in TV5’s Willing Willie show hosted by Willie Revillame. On her radio program, Fermin, who is a staunch supporter of the host, defended Revillame but did not name Seguerra as the object of her malicious pitch.

According to the founding president of Rainbow Rights Project, Atty. Germaine Leonin, Fermin's statement was uncalled for and bothersome, since her working environment is being dominated by gays and lesbians. The group was saddened because until now, society is still judgmental and prejudiced.

“Being lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) is not equal to immorality. Please focus on the issue of the child abuse objectively and do not make personal attacks based on personal biases and judgments against who we are. A person’s sexuality is not the only measure of her integrity and moral fiber,” Atty. Leonin said.

R-Rights is a non-governmental organization who is dedicated to promoting a rational discourse on the rights of LGBTs in the country.

“We are proud of Aiza for standing up and expressing her views. She is well within her rights and these rights have nothing to do with her sexuality. Cristy Fermin must be careful with these reckless and slanderous comments that are clearly desperate tactics to detract us from the real issue of child abuse,” Atty. Leonin said.
Another lesbian group, Lesbian Activism Project (LeAP) Inc., is calling the attention of Fermin to clarify her statement on the issue. LeAP, a non-government organization (NGO) that envisions a society free from discrimination and homophobia, says the TV host should first examine her own attitudes and actions, before making comments and insinuations about other people’s personal lives.

Ladlad Partylist, the political organization of Filipino LGBTs, is supporting the call of the two lesbian organizations to shed light on the matter and to avoid fanning unnecessary flames in relation to the Jan-Jan issue. Ladlad emphasized that being gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender is not immoral because it symbolizes love and freedom.

Last year, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) rejected Ladlad for party-list accreditation on the grounds that the party advocates "immoral doctrines" and is a "threat to the youth". However, the Supreme Court overturned the decision and paved the way for Ladlad to run as a legitimate partylist in 2010.