A POSITION PAPER ON THE LEGALIZATION OF SAME SEX MARRIAGE IN THE

PHILIPPINES
Presented to

Mr. Anthony Badoy Mondragon

St. Anthony’s College- High School Department

In Partial Fulfilment

Of the Requirements of the Course

English for Academics and Professional Purposes

By:

PICA DANILLE L. ORTEGA

11 HUMSS- ST. THERESE OF LISIEUX
4 November 2016

Same-sex marriage is defined as the union of two individuals of the same sex in a marital
relationship with full legal rights and responsibilities given to this contract in a specific
jurisdiction. It is the subject of debate and controversy of numerous experts as of today. . The
practice of homosexual marriage is not a recent event as it has been around during the Greek
and Roman periods.This type of marriage is only limited to a minority of jurisdictions at a few
countries in which it is available. Countries in which same-sex marriage is allowed include
Norway, South Africa, France, England, and the most recent countries are Ireland and the
United States of America. Now there is the issue in whether Philippines should also legalize
same-sex marriage. Same-sex marriage should be prohibited in the Philippines as is it clearly
contradicts with its culture, especially as the country is dominated by the Catholic religion and its
teachings.
It is a common view for the society to see marriage between heterosexual couples, there are
others who would want to argue. Equality of rights is usually the argument of same-sex
marriage supporters. They believe that homosexual and lesbian couples should have the same
rights of marriage as those of heterosexual couples. Supporters of the LGBT community have
argued that by giving them the right to marry promotes equality as the government has finally
recognized their rights, and thus dissolves discrimination.

The Philippines, however, is a Catholic country. Legalizing same-sex marriage here clearly
contradicts the teachings and doctrine of the Church. Rev. Fr. Jose Glicerio Geremia defines
marriage as the union of man and woman.

God Himself instituted marriage by stating that man is made for woman and woman is made for
man. In Genesis 2:18-25, there are lines in which support it. “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good
for the man to be alone. I will make a companion for him who corresponds to him.’” And there is
also the line, “Then the man said, ‘This one at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh;
this one would be called woman, for she was taken out of man.’”

So when a man is married to a man or woman married to a woman, this violates the Church’s
doctrine. It will weaken the respect and value of marriage, since marriage is considered sacred
and almost every society views marriage as a union between men and women only. Whereas
same-sex- marriage promotes partnership, it is not, however, the normal type of partnership.

Fr. Geremia mentions that the main purpose of the said union or the marriage is for men and
women to reproduce offsprings. Therefore, in this sense, same-sex marriage is not beneficial as
homosexual and lesbian couples are incapable of reproduction and cannot be considered as a
full-fledged family. Even with the choice of adoption, or having surrogate mothers or sperm
donors, it is still not the same case.

Then there is the concept of family. Families are commonly composed of a father, a mother and
a child or children. Although LGBT supporters argue that what children need are not biological
male and female parents but the masculine and feminine roles of the parents. Most of the
Filipinos are Catholics and they are usually family-oriented. In their perspective, having this kind
of marriage would break their Filipino values.

Then there is the issue regarding of the acceptance of the Filipinos to same-sex couples. A
survey conducted by Rappler shows that seventy percent of the Filipino population “strongly
disagrees” with the legalization of the said marriage. This shows the fact that most citizens of
the Philippines are not yet ready for it and that they clearly disapprove.

“The Church says that homosexuals should be trated with love and respect, but redefining the
natural and divine institution of marriage is simply something we are not able to do,” these are
the words of Father Marcos Gonzales of St. John Chrysostom, a Roman Catholic parish in
Inglewood, California. In conclusion, reasons why same-sex marriage is not to be legalized to
the reasons: it contradicts the catholic doctrine, it is not beneficial, it weakens the respect for
marriage, and that the Filipino mindset is still not ready for it. But while people oppose the
thought of this kind of marriage, it is hoped that homosexuals and lesbian should still be
considered with compassion and respect.

Same Sex Marriage Disagreement Essay

1106 Words Apr 29th, 2013 5 Pages

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Same Sex Marriage Disagreement

The definition of marriage is the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband

or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law (Merriam-Webster). This

dignified act is under constant threat by lesbian and gay couples protesting for equal rights in

marriage. Same sex marriage should be prohibited in the United States because the act will evoke

multitudes of problems that will be impossible to manage. The plentiful list of arguments against

same sex marriage outweighs its opposite in all areas. For example, the case is commonly
viewed as that if the couple is in love, they should be allowed to marry. Love is not the only

deciding factor people analyze on why to get …show more content…

For the majority of religious people, their religion is the most important to them and following its

rules and regulations is a systematic daily task. If religions are intended to surround one’s life

and even explain the person’s reason of sheer existence, going against its marriage rules is

senseless, an outright sin and negative to a person’s religious growth.

The argument is expressed well in Joe Messerli’s words:

“Most religions consider homosexuality a sin. Virtually every religion in the world, including the

major ones in this country, consider homosexuality unacceptable. It is offensive and a swipe to

the religious freedom of the majority to have to recognize a relationship they consider sinful. The

legal system in the United States evolved out of the laws contained in the Bible. We shouldn't go

even farther to tear down those laws.”

The destruction of marriage institution is very likely in the event that same sex marriage is

legalized. “Everyone has a right to love who they choose,” says an ad now running in Minnesota,

“but nobody has a right to redefine marriage” (Eckholm).

Same-sex marriage in the Philippines?

If social attitudes are gradually shifting, why is it hard to push for LGBT rights and same-sex marriage here? Many
would automatically blame the Catholic taliban, but that's a wrong framing of the problem.

Jonas Bagas
Published 4:35 PM, May 11, 2012

Updated 10:45 PM, May 13, 2012

Don’t expect Obama’s endorsement of same-sex marriage to have an impact here. It was a historical and
an inspiring gesture, one that would galvanize a changing cultural perspective on same-sex relationships
inside and outside America.

Here, it would spark debates on our readiness for same-sex marriage, but don’t hold your breath: it won’t
alter anything here fundamentally. Don’t even think that this would suddenly lead President Aquino to
push his allies in Congress to enact a law legalizing same-sex marriage.
It just won’t happen.

This is not to say that the social attitudes and behavior of Filipinos toward homosexuality and same-sex marriage are
not changing. They are, and social media has triggered a shift in how we digest controversial topics that in the past
have been filtered and controlled by traditional institutions, such as the Church and our schools. I’m not saying that
Filipinos are now more pro-LGBT, but the overall mood is changing, and there’s more openness to engage in an
issue that is still otherwise considered taboo.

Social media has democratized access to a wider range of narratives and stories on LGBTs and made them part of
our common experiences, creating a climate that could help dismantle oppressive stereotypes about homosexuality.
The bullying of LGBT kids in American schools, for instance, a Canadian transgender joining the Miss Universe, the
coming out of Hollywood celebrities - these have all catalyzed conversations here. And while we know that these
happened elsewhere, we have embraced the universal elements of these stories.

More importantly, social media has given us access to participate in these conversations. To respond to a
homophobic slur in the past meant writing press releases or letters to the editors, the fate of which would depend on
the mood of the editors.

Today, Facebook and Twitter could help anyone - the in-your-face LGBT activist, the closeted bakla, and their fag
hags - push alternative perspectives on LGBTs, and influence how opinion gatekeepers and icons see the issue.

Why the difficulty?

–– ADVERTISEMENT ––

If social attitudes are gradually shifting, why then is it hard to push for LGBT rights and same-sex marriage here in the
Philippines?

Many would automatically blame the Catholic taliban, and how it has been trying to control our political institutions.

I think it is a wrong framing of the problem, and it grants the Catholic hierarchy a degree of influence that doesn’t
exist. The Church has no control over public opinion, as proven by the continuing popularity of the RH Bill despite the
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines's opposition to it and by the failure of the Catholic Church to mobilize
the so-called "Catholic vote."

What we perceive to be the Church’s political influence in fact indicates a fundamental weakness in our political
institutions, a democratic flaw that makes our system beholden to interest groups like the Catholic taliban.

The Church is powerful; the problem is that the state is weak. Legal recognition of same-sex partnerships, whether
through marriage or civil unions, would not happen by engaging or reforming the Catholic hierarchy. It is after all the
business of the Church hierarchy to be dogmatic, and we should just let it collapse under the weight of its internal
contradictions.

We should be engaging and reforming the state and make it modern, inclusive, and truly representative.

Strategic battleground
For the LGBT community, that would require a change in strategy.

One, it means that LGBTs must reframe the debate on homosexuality along secular and non-religious terms. While I
understand why Catholic LGBTs want to carve a more tolerant space within the Catholic faith, the more strategic
battleground is in the Constitution, not the Bible.

Same-sex marriage is understandably a sensitive religious issue, but it is above all about our sectarian values - about
basic fairness and our constitutional rights, about human dignity regardless of the sex of the people we love.

Two, we need to be more forthright about gay love and gay sex.

For many years, LGBT activists have skirted the issue of same-sex partnerships and gay marriage as a non-priority,
relegating it under more crucial issues, like discrimination in schools and the workplace. This sends the wrong signal -
that same-sex partnerships are secondary and unimportant, when ironically the root of discrimination against LGBTs
is the rejection of same-sex partnerships, both the sexual and romantic sides of it.

We need to embrace gay sex and gay love and feel less guilty about them.

A modern state, embracing gay sex and gay love. Who said that marriage is easy? - Rappler.com

(The author is coordinator of Akbayan's LGBT Collective and a member of the Philippine National AIDS Council.)

PICTORIAL ESSAY : Hakbang Tungo sa PAGBABAGO

Hakbang tungo sa PAGBABAGO

 Kung iisipin may isang KATOTOHANAN na hindi natin
napapansin na ang lahat ay nagsisimula sa isang munting
hakbang. HAKBANG na kung saan ang iyong mga sariling mga paa ang
siyang magdadala tungo sa iyong kinabukasan. Kung saan ito ang
magiging daan mo para ikaw ay magbabago. At kapag ikaw ay natuto
ng humakbang at makapaglakad, ikaw na mismo ang gagawa ng iyong
kapalaran. Ang pagbabago o hakbang na tinatawag katulad lang yan ng
paglalakad, kailangan mo munang matutong humakbang at nasa sa iyo
na kung nanaisin mong matutong magbago o hindi .

Sabi nga nila kapag natuto na tayong maglakad, tayo na mismo ang
gumagawa ng sariling KAPALARAN natin. Tayo ay nangangarap na ng
mataas, ngunit hindi lahat ng tao ay kayang makamtan ang kanilang
pangarap katulad na lang ng mga taong nasa lansangan. Sila ay ang
mga taong alam mong malabong makamiy ang kanilang pangarap dahil
wala silang pera, kung kaya’t natuto silang magnakaw ng mga gamit na
hindi kanila. Makikita mo na walang pake ang kanilang mga magulang
dahil sila pa mismo ang naguutos na gumawa ng masama. Kahit gusto
nilang magbago wala silang magawa.
.
 Ngunit saan nga ba nagsisimula ang PAGBABAGO ? Sabi
nila ang pagbabago ay nagsisimula sa bahay, dahil ang bahay ay
nagbabago depende kung ano ang gustong disenyo ng isang may – ari.
Dahil pwedeng kapag walang pagbabago sa loob ng bahay maaari ring
wala na ring pagbabago sa ating bansa. Dahil dito mo makikita na sa
loob ng bahay na ito ay ang iba’t ibang KLASE ng tao. Nakadepende sa
iyo kung ikaw ay magbabago walang pakialam ang ibang tao kung
magbago ka man o hindi at hindi sila ang dahilan kung bakiy ka
magbabago, kagustuhan mo ito at hindi nila. At kapag walang
pagbabago maaaring madala nila ang ugaling nakikita nila sa loob ng
bahay kapag sila ay nasa labas ng bahay na at nakikisalamuha sa ibang
tao.
 At isa sa dahilan ng pagbabago ay ang PAMILYA , dahil sila
ang lagi mong nakakasalamuha araw – araw kung kaya’t kung ano ang
nakikita natain sa kanila ay maaaring madala natin ito hanggang
paglaki mo. Ang pagbabago ay makikita natin sa atingMAGULANG dahil
sila ang unang nakaranas ng pagbabago, kung kaya’t alam nila kung
magiging maganda ba ang ating pagbabago o hindi. Katulad na lang
halimbawa ng pagkuha ng mga bagay na hindi sa atin. Dahil
nakalakihan na natin ito kung kaya’t mahihirapan na tayong magbago
dahil nasanay na tayong ganito ang ating ginagawa.

Kung kaya’t ang mga batang basa lansangan na nakagawa ng

masama ay dinadala sa DSWD, upang sila ay tulungan makapagbago at
maitama ang maling kanilang nagawa. Ang mga nangangasiwa sa
DSWD ang pwedeng maging ehemplo ng mga kabataan na nandoon
upang magbago ang mga ito. Sila ayHANDANG tumulong sa mga batang
nakagawana ng mga kasalanan basta’t may handang tumulong sa kanila
na magbago ay maaari silang magbago dahil alam nilang ito ang
nararapat lalo na kung ito ay para sa pagbabago.
At kapag sila ay nakapagbago na, maaaring matupad na nila ang
kanilang pangarap. At maaari ring makapasok na sila sa paaralan para
sila ay matuto kung ano ang tama at paano ba sila matututo, ito ang
magiging simula ng kanilang Panibagong Buhay dahil alam na nila na
tama na ang kanilang ginagawa at pwede na silang mangarap ng
mataas dahil sila ay nakapagbago na kung saan nagsimula sa pagiging
palaboy at magnanakaw nagtapos sa mabuting bata at ngayon ay nag –
aaral na upang makapagtapos hanggang kolehiyo.
 At kapag nakapagbago na ang ISANGbata , maaari na silang maging malaya

katulad ng isang IBONG MALAYA. At ang batang masayang naglalakad patungo sa

paaralan dahil alam nila na NAKAMTAN na nila ang gusto nila at ito ay pagbabago.

Walang masama kung ikaw ay magbago lalo na kung ito ay para saKABUTIHAN .

Ang pictorial essay isang uri ng sulatin kung saan ginagamit ng may akda
ang mga litrato na nagbibigay kulay o kahulugan, kaalinsabay ng mga
teksto, sa mga paglalahad o pagbibigay diskusyon sa isang usapin o isyu.

Kadalasan din na walang teksto ito at purong litrato lamang ang ginagamit
upang magbigay ng imahe at makapagbigay ng kahulugan sa isang paksa.