PHILIPPINES - Dec 18, 2002 The Lesbian and Gay Legislative Advocacy Network (LAGABLAB) has spoken out condemning an ongoing pissing contest between Senator Panfilo Lacson and Police Chief Reynaldo Berroya. At issue is Berroya's schoolboy behavior of flinging homophobic taunts, revealing an irrational prejudice unbecoming a public servant.LAGABLAB Secretary General, Jonas Bagas, has responded that being gay is not an acceptable reason to ridicule, shame, or discredit anyone. LAGABLAB points out that not only will homosexual police officers suffer from increased intolerance of co-workers, but that the often dismissive attitude of some cops towards victims of hate crimes directed at gays, lesbians, and transgenders will continue. LAGABLAB has sent a clear message that if leaders like Sen. Lacson and Chief Berroya continue to mock sexual minorities then they will find growing opposition from GLBT Filipinos. |