Condemn violence against LGBTs

Jennifer Laude, a transgender woman, was killed out of hatred.

I am writing this open letter fully aware that authorities are in the process of investigating Jennifer’s murder. This death has sparked many conversations that need to be guided by an undeniable truth: No human being deserves to be treated with violence and discrimination because of his or her sexual orientation and gender identity.

The Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) enabled the harm that Jennifer experienced, but it is but one of the many factors that led to this injustice. As we struggle to deliver justice for Jennifer and her family, as we correct this unfair military agreement between the Philippines and the United States, we cannot ignore one dangerous belief that exposes her and other transgender people to harm: the idea that she is a fake woman, that she must have lied to the perpetrator, and therefore she deserved what happened to her. Nanloko siya kaya siya pinatay.

As a woman, I appeal to all to understand how dangerous gender biases can be for transgender people like her.

Jennifer Laude identified as a woman; she was one, and I am happy to call her a fellow woman. It is a fundamental right of any individual to define his or her own gender identity, and no one should experience violence and hatred because of the gender they live in. Our transgender brothers and sisters face the threat of violence, or even death, because we fail to imagine that human sexuality is diverse and complex.

But diverse and complex it may be, it doesn’t prevent us to recognize and respect what makes all of us human—our inherent dignity. The perpetrator of Jennifer’s death may not have been able to understand her sexual orientation and gender identity, but nothing prevented him from recognizing and respecting her humanity, and that is precisely his crime not just against Jennifer and her family, but also against all of us.

At the same level, it is also the omission committed by those who continue to deny Jennifer and other transgender people their right to define their gender identity, and that omission fans the hatred that allows discrimination and violence against the LGBT community to happen, and to happen with impunity. Jennifer was a woman, and in her death, let us not perpetuate the injustice against her by denying her womanhood.

The hate crime committed against Jennifer is an affront to the dignity of any human person. Let us not fan the hatred that led to her death.

Instead, let us be one in condemning violence and discrimination against lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgender people. Let our solidarity bring forth a Filipino society that embraces the dignity of all Filipinos, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.

—RISA HONTIVEROS,
chair, Akbayan Partylist,
36-B Madasalin St.,  Sikatuna Village, QC