She has already apologized, but various groups continue to hit Christine Bersola-Babao over her controversial broadsheet column about childhood homosexuality.
It will be recalled that the TV5 host was put in the social media hot seat after her Philippine Star article titled “Being Gay” received flak online, particularly from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community.
Related story: Christine Bersola-Babao in hot water over article on homosexuality
In the said column which was published March 11, Bersola-Babao discussed what parents should do if their children show signs of early homosexuality. She interviewed TV psychologist Dr. Camille Garcia, who said parents should not encourage homosexuality in children and, instead, should “arrest the situation.” Bersola-Babao also shared she would accept but not encourage her son if he grows up gay.
Ang Ladlad, an LGBT group running for a party-list slot in this year’s elections, expressed disapproval over Bersola-Babao’s article. (Click on the link to read the full statement)
“While Ang Ladlad appreciates the efforts by media personalities to discuss LGBT issues more openly, these discussions should be enlightened and respectful of the equal rights of LGBT persons. Outdated and destructive gender stereotypes are not helpful and can have adverse effects on children’s sexual orientation and gender identity development,” the group said in a statement posted on their Facebook page Wednesday, March 13.
The statement further said, “Mrs. Bersola-Babao’s moral condemnation of same-sex relations is unfortunate, and her advice to parents on how to deal with their effeminate sons is wrong-headed, woefully inadequate, and potentially damaging. In our view, it makes questionable her role as a dispenser of good parenting advice.”
No discrimination
The Psychologists Association of the Philippine, in a statement first published in news site Interaksyon, also spoke out on the issue, saying they reaffirm their position against discrimination of the LGBT community.
“The Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) wishes to reaffirm its position borne from scientific knowledge that being gay is not a disease or disorder,” the statement said.
Lea Salonga said in her Philippine Daily Inquirer column on Thursday, March 14 that it’s about time people think of gay people in a different light.
Lea Salonga (NPPA Images)
“That’s what gay people ultimately are—men and women on this adventure we call life, navigating it with much uncertainty, fear, anxiety and hope. They are our friends, lovers, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, coworkers, rock stars, doctors, lawyers, lawmakers, teachers, artists, actors, writers, directors, musicians, authors, businessmen, store owners, designers, athletes, singers, dancers, and students. They are all ultimately human,” she wrote.
Yahoo! Philippines OMG! tried to reach Bersola-Babao for further comment on the issue, but the TV host said she has already said her piece on the issue on Twitter.
Editor's note: Yahoo! Philippines OMG! welcomes opinions—and the occasional wisecracks—that enrich and highlight new angles on its stories. Below-the-belt rants may be a fact of online life, but that doesn't mean you should turn into a troll. You can speak your mind without bashing anyone. Keep it clean, folks.
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