By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
A lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) local group slammed the controversial “Ama Namin” performance of a Filipino drag queen.
In a radio interview, BANAAG LGBT Inc. Vice President Jonathan Diaz, Jr. condemned drag performer Pura Luka Vega for disrespecting the Black Nazarene, a revered figure of Jesus Christ for the Catholic faithful, and using the rock version of The Lord’s Prayer, one of the most solemn prayers during the Holy Eucharist.
Diaz said the LGBT community has rules or policies on the prohibition of using costumes of saints and biblical songs adhering to the actions of the Church.
He is concerned that because of Vega’s “disrespectful actions,” the discrimination against the LGBT community will worsen.
He added that some politicians at the House of Representatives may be irked by the controversial performance which could further make the passage of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression bill more difficult.
Diaz also reminded the LGBT community in Negros Occidental to always show respect.
Earlier, Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs cautioned the public against using elements associated with religion and to make sure they are not offensive to the faithful.
Secillano said dancing to the tune of a sacred and biblical prayer, with matching sacred costume to boot, is completely disrespectful not only to people and institutions practicing such faith, but to God Himself.
Vega’s performance also garnered condemnation from her fellow LGBT members, and also Bataan Representative Geraldine Roman, the country’s first transgender woman lawmaker.
“Kailangan pa ba ng ganitong klaseng provocation? Anong ambag nito sa LGBT rights?” Roman asked.
“Your rights end where the rights of others begin. Umayos kayo!” the representative said.
In the viral clip circulating on social media, Vega was dressed as Jesus Christ and was mocked by the crowd.
The drag queen was unapologetic and claimed that the performance was a “tribute to God,” a comment which will likely further infuriate the Catholic faithful.
Raps can be filed
The Senate on Thursday, July 13, said charges can be filed against the artist for the “blasphemous” viral video making a mockery of the Catholic faith.
“It offends the sensibilities of our Christian brothers and sisters, deeply demeans the faith of millions of Filipinos, and dangerously scales the boundaries of protected speech and expression,” the Senate said in a statement.
A criminal charge can be filed under Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code, which punishes those who “offend any race or religion in the performance of obscene or indecent plays, scenes, acts or shows in theaters, fairs, or any other place,” the Senate said./With reports from PNA / DGB, WDJ