Editorial – Another first

ONE local legislative measure destined to make a mark in the lives of Dabawenyos is the ADO, short for Anti-Discrimination Ordinance.
A brainchild of Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, ADO, as crafted by Councilor Melchor V. Quitain and approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod two weeks ago, penalizes all forms of discrimination.
The ordinance defines discrimination as “acts committed when a person impinges on the right or freedom of another on the basis of national or ethnic origin, religious affiliation or belief, gender, descent, race or color.”
Prohibited acts may be in the form of refusing employment, admission to any academic institution, and refusing entry into restaurants, bars, stores, moviehouses, theaters, malls or other establishments by reason of ethnic origin, religious affiliation or belief, sex, gender, identity, or sexual orientation, descent, race or color.
The ordinance also prohibits “any analogous act that demeans the dignity and respect of a person.”
It is the common perception that the immediate beneficiaries of the landmark ordinance are members of the so-called LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexual) community, a fact that is widely acknowledged by their leaders. LGBT members have suffered discrimination for quite a time now, that’s why.
Among those who expressed euphoria over the measure’s passage were Marivic Desquitado of the lesbian community of Davao City and Prof. Hadji Balajadia.
“The ADO provides a formal remedy for individuals who suffer discrimination, promotes preventive measures in order to diminish discrimination against LGBT and Lumads, and serves as vehicle for social engineering to counteract and address not only direct discrimination…” said Balajadia.
Dabawenyos take pride in the unique ordinance and are happy for the LGBT’s well-deserved emancipation. It is also hoped that LGBT leaders can inspire discipline and responsible behaviour among their ranks to encourage healthy social engagements. We are referring to latest findings that HIV-AIDS infections are high and rising among LGBT members, particularly the MSMs (men having sex with men).
In this way, ADO will be meaningful and significant at least to the LGBT community.