Is it true that Duterte changed his mind to support same-sex marriage?

Philippine President Duterte publicly reiterated his attitude towards marriage equality when attending local LGBT (short for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community activities in Namo, his hometown on June 5438+07, 2007, saying that he "supports the legalization of same-sex marriage" and invited the Philippine gay community to elect representatives to join the government's law-revision team. He said at the event: "When I was in middle school, I didn't know whether I should be a man or a woman. I seem to want to be a man and a woman. "

Before being elected president, Duterte's campaign proposition also included marriage equality; However, after taking office, Duterte, who was under the pressure of the church, once gave in and even said "jokes" of hatred many times. Therefore, Duterte's repeated attitude and the "specific commitment" put forward this time have also caused an uproar between LGBT groups and church groups in the Philippines.

Duterte also asked the LGBT community to elect "the most honest and outstanding representative among you" before the middle of June 5438+ 10 next year, and promised to bring the elected representative into the cabinet to be responsible for the policy preparation and related affairs of marriage equality. Duterte's words quickly ignited the discussion on Christmas Eve policy in the Philippines. Because although Duterte is full of promises, it is not the first time that the government has encountered difficulties in the general direction of gay policy.

Although 80% of the country's population believes in Catholicism, the Philippines is currently the third largest Catholic country in the world; However, in recent years, various polls, including Standard & Poor's or the International LGBTI Federation, show that the attitude of the Filipino people towards marriage equality and gay rights is actually the most open and friendly country in Asia. For example, during the 20 16 presidential campaign, Duterte actively proposed the election politics of "legalizing same-sex marriage". At that time, Duterte always took his hometown as an example and said that he "hated oppressing the weak". Therefore, under the long-term governance, Mao Na has become the most open country in the Philippines. "In Mao Na, homosexuality has no discrimination at all!"

However, after Duterte took office, the focus of the new government's administration was mainly to declare war on drugs and terrorists. The political views on marriage were not only met with cold reception, but even reversed by Duterte's promise. For example, at the beginning of this year, Duterte's ruling party put forward the "same-sex marriage law" in the House of Representatives-although it guaranteed the civil union of gay couples, it avoided granting "marriage" status.

Avarre, who is also the speaker of the House of Representatives with Duterte, said that this same marriage law is no different from heterosexual marriage; The only difference is that "same-sex couples do not need a priest or a judge to witness the' marriage blessing'". Gay couples can get the same inheritance rights and legal protection through this law, but at the same time they can avoid the rebound and resistance of church forces. From the perspective of "social harmony", it is a compromise method with the best of both worlds.

However, this proposal was regarded as a "betrayal promise" by the LGBT group in the Philippines, and it was pointed out that Duterte completely deviated from the promise of equality, openness and progress during the campaign. However, Duterte spread out his hands and claimed that "it is not that simple to amend the law, and the law stipulates that marriage should be a man and a woman", which requires affirmative organizations to recognize and accept the reality.

Duterte said at the event: "I have never suppressed anyone because of race or religion. I just maintain the rules of fairness and equality. " He added: "My two brothers-in-law are both sissies. When I was in middle school, I didn't know whether I should be a man or a woman. I seem to want to be a man and a woman, but there are so many beautiful women in the Philippines that I am tempted. "