DAVAO CITY ORDINANCE SHIELDS GAYS AGAINST DISCRIMINATION

BY ROGER M. BALANZA

WHEN IN DAVAO CITY, don’t ever make the mistake of jeering at, insulting or making fun of the limp-wristed specie of the human race.
The Davao City Anti-discrimination Ordinance authored by Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte would be in full effect soon, and woe to those who would look down on men and women of the third sex and subject them to verbal abuse or slam the door on those applying for jobs.
Humans of the “other kind’  are listed in the local ordinance that would protect anybody against any form of discrimination by virtue of sex, creed or race, with strong emphasis on the marginalized sector like the tribal people, elderly, physically handicapped and, yes, the LGBTs ( lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders).
The ordinance covers a wide range of human activities where gays could be discriminated against including opportunities for employment.
Under the ordinance, the machos and the straight girls should be in equal footing with those from the third sex, to protect their rights under the equal opportunity clause of the Constitution.
Duterte said the ordinance would be implemented this month. While under study by the Davao City Council, the anti-discrimination ordinance had gone through committee and public hearings which were attended by the local gay community.
Duterte has been openly supportive of gay causes, the support stretched up to entry of gays into the Philippine National police.
At one time he urged the police agency to abolish its perceived discrimination against gays in the force, saying that even the communist armed group New People’s Army has opened its doors to gay fighters.
Duterte however has admonished gays to tone down on their loud talks and giggles as they roam neigborhoods at night, over complaints of residents about being disturbed by the girlish guffaws even during wee hours.