The formation of the LadLad party in Philippines , the only LGBTQ political party in the world seemed such a good idea. However mere passion and enthusiasm doesn’t make up for not having the strength of one’s convictions and an overwhelming desire not to upset the powerful anti-gay Catholic Church.
The story really starts in 2010 when the Church petitioned the Electoral Commission to ban the LadLad party from participating in the upcoming election on the grounds they were immoral. The Commission decided in favor of LadLad in a decision handed down just 3 weeks before the actual election , which was way too late.
So this documentary from filmmakers S. Leo Chiang and Johnny Symons is ostensibly about the run yo to the 2013 Election when LadLad will officially participate. Philippine elects its legislators by proportional representation, and because there are a myriad of tiny one-man-band parties, the rule is they are only allowed to lose in 2 elections before been banned from standing again.
The LadLad party has three candidates running for election led by Bemz Benedito, longtime activist and a transgender woman, she is known in the community as Sinta Ng Pilipinong LGBT, or “The Beloved of LGBT Filipinos.” Attorney Raymond Alikpala who was once a Catholic Seminarian is a political novice wanting to be a Congressman . Respected University Professor, and one of the co-founders of Ladlad, Danton Remoto is the 3rd candidate.
With limited resources they chose to focus on places where the LGBTQ community congregated and thus turned beauty salons and gay bars into campaign centres. However they knew that even though there is a very large queer population in the country, they would need the support of other voters if they were to stand a chance at winning.
It was to this end that they decided not to make Same Sex Marriage a campaign issue. It proved to be their worse mistake losing them too much support in the gay community, and failing to win over any of the Catholic vote.
One of their most voluble opponents was is Baptist Pastor Benny Abante looking to get re elected. Not only does Abante love quoting chunks sof the Bible to justify his homphobe , but he has gathered a group of ex- gays (!) and some sycophantic self-haters Log Cabin types to support him. The march under the banner of A.I.D.S. which is about the most offensive acronym ever.
As election day nears the three Candidates enthusiasm has all but disappeared, and we understand why when the results are in. They didn’t just lose, they were decimated. It’s a lesson learnt the hard way, we should NEVER be ashamed of asking for our rights . Not including Same Sex marriage was a very grave mistake . Including it may not have won them seats (yet) but it would have been a more dignified loss
The only consolation was that Benny Avante lost too.
