The quest for LGBT rights and stigmatisation of gays in the Philippines continues, regardless of how tolerant Filipinos are. Their social acceptance only portrays a superficial inclusion of the LGBT sector, not their holistic integration, in society.

It is the younger generation that sturdily supports LGBT rights, seeking their institutionalisation through legal and political means, and advocating for marriage equality and against discrimination. The general stance of older generations, strongly influenced by the moral standards of Catholicism and religious thinking, is viewed as one of the primary legal impediments and parallels the huge role played by politics.

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In 2009, the Ladlad party, representing the LGBT community, was denied party-list accreditation by the election commission to contest the 2010 polls, on the grounds that it advocated “sexual immorality” and “immoral doctrines.” The disconnect is clear with the public declarations of politicians supporting gay rights.

However, Geraldine Roman, who ran for Congress last May, made it past the challenges, becoming the country’s first transgender lawmaker; she had the steadfast support of LGBT groups who believed gender equality is a basic human right. But the same congresswoman, who posted on her Twitter page that “LGBT rights are human rights. We are all human beings created by a loving, compassionate God”, voted in the House of Representatives to bring back the death penalty. That sparked a backlash from supporters who had expected her to defend life and human dignity.

Promises made by politicians to protect and defend gay rights seem to be a free banner that can be used to support their own political interests and schemes, rather than serving true LGBT interests and rights.

In my time as a development worker, I have met numerous gay people with diverse stories. In the province of Samar, I met Ruby, a transgender woman and single parent to an adopted son, who told of how her application in Metro Manila to be a sales agent at a mall was rejected on account of her sexuality.

Denial of socio-economic opportunities to gay people because of their sexuality is an alarming issue. Anti-discrimination legislation pending in Congress seeks to prohibit employers from including sexual orientation or gender identity in hiring criteria.

Being gay in the Philippines is still associated with and portrayed as a manifestation of weakness. In Zamboanga City, I talked to Yash, an openly gay Muslim man who experienced extreme discrimination from his family. He recalled both verbal and physical abuse; and he still has nightmares.

The struggles of the LGBT community in the Philippines are often hidden by the colours of the rainbow: pain and grief masked in laughter, but with hope for true acceptance. For the LGBT community to gain greater recognition in society and on the political stage, it is imperative to create a conceptual framework for the community in politics.

Reuben James Barrete is a development worker focusing on human rights and social protection. He is finishing his master’s degree in international studies at the University of the Philippines