PHILLIPINES GAY PARTY WILL BE ALLOWED TO CONTEST MAY 10 POLLS

Manila: The Supreme Court will allow a group of lesbians and homosexuals to participate as a sectorial party at the House of Representatives during the May 10 polls, a radio report said.
In a decision, Supreme Court Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo asked the Commission of Elections to throw out its two resolutions which denied accreditation to Ang Ladlad (Reveal) because the latter had complied with the legal requirement for a party-list group's accreditation.

• "The Philippines has not seen fit to criminalise homosexual conduct," the High Court argued, adding, "We are not blind to the fact that, through the years, homosexual conduct, and perhaps homosexuals themselves, have borne the brunt of society's disapproval. It is not difficult to imagine the reasons behind this censure — religious beliefs, convictions about the preservation of marriage, family, and procreation, even dislike or distrust of homosexuals themselves and their perceived lifestyle," said the Apex Court's ruling.
• In January, the High Tribunal had called for a restraining order on Comelec's two resolutions which were issued on November 11 and December 17 last year.
• Comelec claimed Ang Ladlad was advocating "immorality," adding that homosexuals and lesbians are a "threat to the youth."
• Lauding the Supreme Court's ruling, writer and Ladlad's founder Danton Remoto said even the Vatican has already publicly condemned violence and discrimination against homosexuals.
• "The Comelec's resolutions have demonised lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders (LGBT)," said Remoto, who incorporated Ang Ladlad in 2003.

Source: Gulfnews