HOTSPOT
This week, the most vocal supporters of an independent senatorial candidate accused lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders of “being selfish,” and belittled their struggles as “not important,” after a prominent LGBT thought-leader withdrew support over the candidate’s opposition to marriage equality and the anti-discrimination bills.
The candidates’ backers even went so far as accusing LGBTs of allegedly preferring corrupt candidates who are more sympathetic to LGBTs.
Even some known heterosexual allies joined the chorus of the candidates’ supporters who said the anti-corruption campaign must take precedence over LGBT concerns, or that LGBTs must sacrifice their “whims” for the nation’s welfare.
Whose fault is this? Did LGBTs force the candidate to make an issue out of them and their concerns? No. In fact, LGBTs were among the first to express interest in and support for the candidate and her anti-corruption platform. Heck, there are many LGBTs among her leading campaign volunteers.
It was the candidate herself who voiced her own, controversial views on LGBT rights and on divorce in senatorial forums. To the surprise of other candidates and especially many of her supporters, she opposed both.
The candidate has since made an apology to LGBTs, acknowledging the pain caused by her statements and vowing not to stand in the way of anti-discrimination legislation.
Wittingly or unwittingly, the candidate achieved something historic: No senatorial campaign, past or present, has promoted or aroused homophobic views at such a level and scale.
The apology may not be enough to undo the damage the candidate and supporters wrought to the cause of equality, and to the dignity of LGBTs as persons and as citizens.
The charge that they are “selfish” is too familiar and too traumatizing to LGBTs. In real life, many LGBT are forced to hide their real identities, sacrifice more, take the extra mile, act as breadwinners, endure acts of violence and bullying, get stereotyped, discriminated against, denied employment or promotion, and get treated unequally as second-class citizens.
For LGBTs, the cause of equality is neither selfish nor whimsical. It is existential. It has day-to-day, real-life implications that heterosexual cannot begin to imagine. Institutions and structures make life extra difficult to LGBTs, and systematically deny rights based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.
LGBTs are dedicated to social change from the very start of efforts to assert their existence and rights. The first Pride March in 1994 raised the call for equal rights alongside opposition to VAT. Patriotism is in the LGBTs' political DNA.
Sadly, personality politics has sought to downplay the existence and struggles of the LGBTs.
We would do better if we heed the counsel of labor lawyer Luke Espiritu:
“Accountability relates not only to the care of public funds. Being accountable also means being made answerable for one's political stances. This is the foundation of a healthy democracy. No politician should be immune to criticism — even from one's own supporters, especially from marginalized groups.
“In the same vein, to reduce calls for accountability to divisiveness falls into the playbook of personality politics. As alternatives to traditional politics, we must listen to those who show us their wounds and move towards better conditions, where we can address historical harm. This is not divisiveness, but a challenge to deepen our collective understanding of what we fight for.
“We cannot simply instrumentalize the oppressed for their votes without mentioning a word about their oppression, or, worse, but ask them to relegate their oppression to the backseat in favor of “more important” causes. To listen to the oppressed is both the minimum requirement and the first, vital step in the long, difficult process of building solidarity.
“The cause of the queer community has been left to the wayside for too long, but their struggles are connected with all the struggles of every basic sector and our collective causes, including anti-corruption. It is time we stand firmly with them, and without compromise.
“As much as being anti-corruption is the baseline for any good candidate, so too must be recognizing the inherent and inalienable right of each individual to equality under the law.”
I agree.
Enough of the politics of personality. Candidates and campaigners should raise their own awareness, level of discourse, and be the best, most progressive, most responsive to the people.
It is often said that voters should raise their standards. By asserting their existence and rights, and holding candidates accountable for their positions, LGBTs are doing their part. That’s not selfishness. That’s patriotism.