Pinoys in Europe call for 'inclusive' travel policy to cover LGBT spouses

Published December 11, 2020 11:11am By LUCKY MAE F. QUILAO An Amsterdam-based foundation has appealed the Philippine government for an "inclusive travel policy" that would cover LGBT spouses of Filipinos. The appeal came on the heels of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) decision allowing entry to Filipino foreign spouses and their children starting December 7, regardless of their ages provided they would have a COVID testing at the airport and a pre-booked quarantine facility. But for Chris Sta. Brigida, chairman of the Filipino LGBT-Europe, what constitutes "being a spouse" is a question in IATF's Resolution No. 85. “Kinikilala kasi ng gobyerno sa Europe ang pag-iisang dibdib o kasal ng mga LGBT couples or mas kilala sa tinatawag na same-sex-marriage. Mayroon din kaming marriage certificate na katulad at kapareho sa marriage certificate ng opposite sex couples. Pareho sila ng timbang at pareho sila ng bisa,” he pointed out in an interview via Messenger on December 8. Likewise, he said the Filipino LGBT in Europe has members who would like to travel to the Philippines to support their families affected by recent natural calamities. “Our foreign spouses are also are Filipinos in their hearts and minds. Katuwang namin sila when we send help, when we send remittances to our families in the Philippines. Our families back home are also their family members.” “We want to go home to help rebuild our houses, our family’s livelihood so they can restart once again. Katuwang namin ang aming mga asawa sa hirap at ginhawa and they want to be part of this rebuilding process.” “It is also good for the mental well-being of our members and our families to be reunited after an extended lockdown, subject, of course, to compliance to COVID-19 pandemic guidelines.” “No modern civilized society should adhere to discriminating its citizens based on gender and sexual orientation,” the Filipino LGBT Europe maintains. “We are hopeful that the definition of ‘spouse’ is inclusive of same-sex and/or LGBT partners. If this is not the case, this policy could be potentially discriminating against members of the LGBT community." Sta. Brigida added, "Even His Holiness Pope Francis recognized our right as a family in a civil union when he said that ‘homosexual people have a right to be in a family. They are children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable over it.'" Philippine immigration authorities clarify that only the foreign spouses and children of Filipino citizens traveling with or joining their Filipino loved ones who are already in the country can enter the Philippines. —LBG, GMA News Tags: LGBT, Filipino LGBT Europe, Pinoy Abroad, news

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