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Apr 22, 2010
Danton Remoto, an English professor at the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University and the head of Ang Ladlad in the Phillipines. – Photo: Courtesy
The Philippine Supreme Court recently overturned a decision barring a gay rights group from contesting national elections in May and recognized it as a legitimate political party for the first time.
Voting 13-2, the court threw out decisions by the Elections Commission denying accreditation to Ang Ladlad (Out of the Closet) on grounds that it tolerates immorality and offends Christians and Muslims.
The justices said the party had complied with all legal requirements, and that there is no law against homosexuality.
“I felt vindicated,” said the group’s leader, Danton Remoto, an English professor at the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University. He said that Ang Ladlad had struggled for recognition and accreditation for the past seven years.
from WiG and AP reports
