Same-sex Marriage in the Philippines

Same-sex marriage is a big issue today not only in the Philippines but in the whole world as well. As of today, there are 10 countries that allow same-sex marriages nationwide: Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, and Sweden. Same-sex marriages are also performed and recognized in the Brazilian state of Alagoas, Mexico City and parts of the United States. The most recent news about the acceptance of gay marriage was in New York which is just a proof that it really is true that the world is now being more open on gender equality not only in men and women but also in gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals and transgenders and becoming less prejudice and discriminative.

As in the case of the Philippines most of the populace look at the issue as a “nonsense”  for according to them, why would we waste our time debating in a proposal that is obviously wrong; the Philippines is a Christian Nation and Christianity condemns homosexuality, many even say that homosexuals are already accepted in the society and this is a very big privilege so they must no longer propose an act like this cause this already is too much, marriage is also known as the  holy matrimony inline with the teachings of the Bible, this act is a big disrespect to the Bible and Christianity for  the Bible says that homosexuality is a sin and why would homosexuals be angry with the government if they can’t marry, in the first place, it’s their choice, nobody forced them to be gay!

These people's arguments and reasonings are obviously weak and wrong. First, I just would like to clarify that there is no verse in the Bible that says, “homosexuality is a sin” and it had never been mentioned in the Bible that God condemns homosexuals and that the church and the followers of the church must condemn homosexuality.

Second, why would they reject same-sex marriage by the reason of “The Philippines is a Christian Nation!”, it is clearly stated in Article 2 Section 6 of the Philippine Constitution (1987) that “the separation of church and state shall be inviolable”; thus tells us that there is no state religion, that the Philippines is not a Christian Nation and it must not base its laws with church principles.

Third, people say that marriage is inline with the Bible, therefore the church have a say in anything that involves marriage, the Bible stated rules about marriage and the state must follow these, gay marriage is not inline with the teachings of the Bible therefore it must not be allowed; “this is unfair!” if the state would reject same-sex marriage just because of this reasoning then we all have a very big problem, even the church don’t follow what the Bible says and the state already have marriage laws that is not based in the Bible; the Bible says that man is allowed to have one or more wives,  the church and state doesn’t follow this; the Bible says that if a woman marries and is not a virgin, she must be stoned, this is not followed; the Bible says that a rapist must marry his victim, we don’t follow this, women even have the right to sue their rapists; the Bible says that if a man dies childless, his brother must marry his widow, we never followed this and the Bible says that divorce is forbidden, though we don’t have divorce in the Philippines, we still have anullment which is also like divorce that permits wed couples to separate.

And lastly, the most nonsensed reasoning is that “i’ts their choice to be gay, they must not blame the state if they can’t marry”, being gay is not a choice,who would ever choose to be hated, humiliated, threatened, rejected by family, friends and church, and in some cases beaten, even to death? How absurd to suggest that it is a choice!

Homosexuals are only asking to have their love be recognized with the same benefits as their heterosexual neighbours.

Contemporary marriage will not be eroded by the inclusion of others who wish to commit to a lifetime of love. The world needs more love, not less.

-Ronnie Barrientos