"I just wish more of my fellow queers would come out sometimes. It's nice out here, you know?" These are the words of Sir Elton John, an English singer-songwriter, composer and pianist after accepting his Achievement Award from Elizabeth Taylor at Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center's 25th anniversary blowout.

This statement also confronts here in the Philippines. There would have been no need for gay Filipinos to organize their own political party had the gay members of the Philippines Senate and the Philippines House of Representatives fought for the rights of the gay community in Congress.

Thus, last August 17, 2009 @ 4pm, Ang Ladlad, the national organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender Filipinos filed our petition to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) for accreditation to participa run as Party-list in the 2010 national elections.

Ang Ladlad's Platforms:


1. Support for the Anti-Discrimination Bill that gives LGBT Filipinos equal opportunities in employment and equal treatment in schools, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, entertainment centers, and government offices.

2. Re-filing of the bill to repeal the Anti-Vagrancy Law that some unscrupulous policemen use to extort bribes from gay men without ID cards;

3. Setting up of micro-finance and livelihood projects for poor and handicapped LGBT Filipinos;

4. Setting up of centers for Golden Gays, or old and abandoned LGBTs, as well as young ones driven out of their homes. The centers will also offer legal aid and counseling, as well as information about LGBT issues, HIV-AIDS, and reproductive health. These centers will be set up initially in the key cities/metropolitan areas of the Philippines -- Baguio, National Capital Region, Cebu and Davao.

The platforms of ANG LADLAD are like laser beams -- clear and focused only in one direction. We aim to restore our pride and dignity as LGBT Filipinos as well as give ourselves a chance to lead kinder and gentler lives.

Ang Ladlad is not fighting for special rights but equal rights for lesbians, gays, bisexuals,
transgenders in the Philippines. Let us end discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.

The only way to shape history is to make it. Be part of history.

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