Moreno supports LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination ordinance

By Nitz Arancon
Correspondent .

CITY Mayor Oscar Moreno has thrown in his support to the proposed ordinance of Councilor Joyleen Mercedes that seeks to end discrimination against members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Under the proposed ordinance, gays and transgender people would be allowed to use the women’s comfort rooms while the lesbians would be allowed to use the men’s comfort rooms in malls, government and private institutions, and facilities.

“Dili ako uyon anang discrimination, katungod kana sa tawo that has to be respected,” Moreno said.

He said there should be no room for discrimination in the city.

“Tanan tawo pareho, tanan dunay pagbati, tanan kita masakitan, na-ay pagmahay, tanan kita talented,” he said.

Moreno added that members of the LGBTQ+ community shoult not be discriminated upon pointing out that there are a lot of successful transgender people in the fields of business and politics.

“Bisan didto sa America, na-ay mga kandidato sa pagka President nga mi-angkon nga gay sila,” he said.

Moreno reminded residents that all people regardless of gender are “created equal.”

“Dili ingon nga kay macho ka, you are a better person that somebody who is not,  dili tungod kay poro ka nga babayi,  does not mean nga  you are better than the rest,” he said.

The mayor added that there is absolutely no “justifiable reason” to segregate and discriminate against members of the LGBTQ+ community.

For her part, Balaba said she will hold a public consultation on her proposed ordinance.

She said that although there is a penal provision on her proposed ordinance, she also included a provision for “mediation” so violators could still have a chance for an out of court settlement.

“Na-ay mediation nga tukoran aron sa dili pa ipasaka sa korte ang kaso batok sa suspect sa discrimination,  i-mediate daan aron himoon na lamang dayon ang out of court settlement.”