Is Philippines ready for same-sex marriage?

Are you wondering why some of your friend’s facebook profile pic turned into a rainbow color? This is after Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg created an app to change your picture into a colorful one intended to the LGBT community members and supporters to celebrate the passing of Same-Sex marriage right in the United States last June 26,2015.

A historical announcement of the US supreme court that may inspire the global community of gays and lesbians who call for the same right in the country where they belong. Is Philippines ready for same-sex marriage?

Despite of the universal move of the LGBT to stop the bullying and all the campaigns to accept the reality that the so-called ‘ third sex’  is not a disease, there are still countries who cannot afford to accept homosexuality as moral especially to countries that are highly influenced by Catholic forces. One of of those countries is Philippines.

Even if the local LGBT of the country has successfully penetrated the society in building a structure where gays are socially protected through anti-discrimination ordinances, the attitude of the majority seems not fully ready to accept them because until now we can still see bullying, discrimination, and inequality in the enjoyment of social rights.

As long as we perceive unequal treatment reports on TV, social media or in your community, the perception among the LGBTs will still remain unequal. Our children’s views about gays depend on how the society dictates them to see. The struggle among gays keeps on as long as your lola and the head of your clan continue to question the capability of your sexuality.

The church is so powerful enough while the state is so weak in fighting this right that everybody, regardless of sexual preferences, should enjoy. Politics in the Philippines relies on the divine words of any religious groups who have an enormous followers who play great roles during election time. As we all know, homosexuality has a dreadful experience in biblical stories. The church has always something to say against them.

“ I believe that the Philippines, being a predominantly Catholic country with orientation that is somewhat laid back is not all ready to embrace, accept, and take the same sex marriage issue considering that only a little portion of the population adhere or shall we say advocates to this global phenomenon as it may seem” explained by  Marlou Vales, Ph.D an openly gay and Psychology professor who supports the LGBT but doesn’t want to get married with someone else.

“ I do adhere same sex marriage as my support to the general interest of the LGBT Community but I do not count myself as one who will get into a situation of marrying someone. I’d rather commit myself to a solid and lasting relationship with the person I love." Vales said.

“ I will just content myself by giving my all-out support to the LGBT community especially in its quest towards global acceptance and equality for all” he added.

“Although, I am not a Catholic but I feel this is the reason why Philippines is not ready for this rights among gays. “ said Algean B. Angel, 24,  who is romantically attached to another guy for 4 years now. “ It is so hard to fight such influential group” he added.

I am straight but I respect and support the LGBT community. I am attached to gays and lesbians as part of my circle. They deserve the same right we enjoy and they don’t need to be punished with the preference they themselves don’t know why they feel different towards the same sex.

The Philippines is not ready yet and it will take more rough roads before it finally reaches its goal towards acceptance. I pray that the Church will truly adhere what is true morality whether biblical or constitutional because I still believe God is faithful and good all the time regardless of your sexuality.