In its effort to raise awareness on the basic rights of every lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Filipinos, Ladlad Partylist conducted the first LGBT summit in Quezon City, spearheaded by Barangay Payatas.
Ladlad, the first and only political organization for LGBTs in the Philippines, lauded the leaders in Brgy. Payatas for calling the shots in initiating the LGBT summit.
“Let’s wake up everyone and make a difference,” said Ladlad first Congressional nominee, Bemz Benedito, who stressed that “nobody wants to live in a world confronted with the daily struggles of rejection and discrimination. Moreover, the absence of their basic human rights eliminates the essence of LGBTs in society. This is the very reason why we have to be visible and give talks to our LGBT brothers and sisters. We have to empower and enlighten our sector on their rights and their sexual orientation and gender identity issues.”
On the other hand, Brgy. Payatas Chairwoman Rosario Dadulo expressed her gratification to barangays Silangan, Commonwealth, Batasan, Holy Spirit and Payatas for heeding the call to attend the first summit and uplift LGBT lives in their community. She encouraged for the participants to “start spreading your wings and be proud of who and what you are. Now, you know your rights, use it but don’t abuse it. Be a productive citizen in your community.”
More LGBT summits are scheduled in the next days all over the country.
Ladlad will run as partylist in the 2013 midterm elections.
