Wage 'all-out war' vs discrimination, LGBT group urges AFP [1]

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 03/08/2009 7:26 PM

Printer-friendly version [2] | Send to friend [3] | Share your views [4]

• [5]
• [6]
• [7]
• [8]
• [9]
• [10]
• [11]

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is being challenged to "wage an all out war" against discrimination, particularly on lesbians and gays, a group said Sunday.

In a statement, Project Equality, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights network in the Philippines, challenged the AFP to "wage" the "war" after the declaration that military service is open to gays and lesbians.

"We welcome the statements made by top military officials declaring that lesbians and gays are now accepted in the military. However, this is not insufficient. There has to be a concrete and comprehensive non-discrimination policy in the military," Project Equality spokesperson Jonas Bagas was quoted as saying.

"There has to be a clear policy explicitly stating that anyone, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity, can join the military provided that they qualify for military service," Bagas said.

Project Equality also urged the AFP to address other forms of discrimination within the AFP, particularly discrimination once gays and lesbians enter into service.

"Once inside, LGBT soldiers can encounter other forms of discrimination and abuse. That, too, should be prohibited," Bagas added.

"The military is a macho establishment. Hearing pro-LGBT statements from its officials may be refreshing, but they cannot hide the strong anti-LGBT sentiment in the military," Bagas said.

The LGBT group also urged AFP chief Gen. Alexander Yano to introduce anti-discrimination reforms in the military if they are "truly serious" with its pro-LGBT stance.

Some of the reforms the group suggested in the statement are a "clear prohibition" on discrimination on basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in admission; gender sensitivity and awareness programs for everyone in the military; allowing transgender soldiers to wear their choice of uniform; anti-discrimination policies to protect LGBT soldiers; and prohibition of discrimination and abuse against LGBTs.

The group said that it is willing to have a dialogue with AFP officials on the issue.

"Patriotism knows no sexual orientation or gender identity. We are open to work with the military to make the AFP a discrimination-free institution," Bagas was also quoted in the statement.

Gay men can go to war with brave Filipino soldiers, a military spokesman said as he announced Wednesday that members of the third sex can apply for enlistment in the Philippine Army.

"We welcome them. We welcome everybody. We don't discriminate [gay] people here," Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., Army spokesman, told ABS-CBN's morning show, "Umagang Kay Ganda."

Brawner said as long as an applicant is physically, emotionally and mentally fit, the Army would be proud to enlist them, including gay people.

"They are allowed [and] of course they will have the same assignments. They can also go to war," the Army spokesman added.

Brawner clarified that the Army or any other units of the AFP does not discriminate gay people, including bisexual men.