EU Bahaghari held a candle lighting and march in Lucena City, Quezon to demand justice all victims of hate crimes, including Jennifer Laude, Joy Anonuevo, and Glydel Libranda.
Weeks after the brutal murder of Jennifer Laude, a transgender woman, allegedly in the hands of US Marine Pvt. 1st Class Joseph Scott Pemberton, Anonuevo, a 55-year-old transgender woman, was brutally killed after being robbed. She was stabbed 33 times inside her business establishment in Tayabas, Quezon. Meanwhile, in Lopez, Quezon, Libranda, another transgender woman, died also after being robbed and stabbed.
“Over the years, the existence of hate crime has globally increased. And these alarming incidents of gender-based violence did not exempt our province, Quezon. The cases come as a bitter reminder that our cause to advance recognition, respect, and equal treatment for lesbian, gays, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people is relevant and urgent,” said Aaron Bonete, president of EU Bahaghari.
Bonete added that with Laude’s death, they were not only distressed with increasing hate crimes to the LGBT but we were reminded that it is the right time to call on to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), together with Enhance Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
“EU Bahaghari calls on the youth, LGBTs and allies to unite in the struggle to seek justice for Laude, Anonuevo, Libranda and all the victims of hate crimes, to further and to intensify the campaign and challenge the government to make a stand, protect and uphold the rights of the LGBT community,” Bonete ended.
