MEMBERS of Cebu’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community yesterday vowed to show politicians that there is an LGBT vote.
“Kaning mga nanagan run, dili sila mutuo nga naay LGBT vote, so karong 2016, among pamatud-an nga naa gyud LGBT vote (The candidates now don’t believe that there is an LGBT vote, so this 2016, we’ll show them that there really is an LGBT vote),” Akbayan Cebu representative Mikay Dumaboc said during their “Roar Your Vote” event at Fuente Osmeña Circle last Thursday.
“I-remind nato nga ang LGBT vote usa ka dako nga boto. Puwedeng makapadaog og konsehal, senador, mayor, congressman (Let’s remind them that the LGBT vote is huge. It can elect councilors, senators, mayors and congressmen),” she added.
She pointed out how the ranking of boxing champion and senatorial aspirant Manny Pacquiao went down after he compared LGBT members to animals.
In Cebu, Dumaboc said there are more than 10,000 LGBT members and about 20,000 supporters.
During the same event, LGBT members complained of the city government’s failure to implement the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance that was approved by the Cebu City Council in 2012 and by the Anti-Discrimination Commission in 2013.
Councilor Alvin Dizon said it is up to the executive department to convene the Anti-Discrimination Commission, which will formulate the implementing rules and regulations.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, in a phone interview, said he has not received a copy of the ordinance.
“Actually, what you’re talking about… wa pay naabot nako… If the executive executes and wala gihapon enforcement of that ordinance, then I believe we may not have a copy. However, if they gave it to me, I will check as to where and why,” Rama said.
“Roar Your Vote” was organized by Lagablab Network.