By KIMBERLIE OLMAYA NGABIT-QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY—In their continuing fight for the full recognition of their human rights,‭ ‬gays and‭ ‬gay rights advocates staged the first‭ ‬Progressive Organization of Gays‭ (‬ProGay‭)‬-Metro Baguio general assembly last December‭ ‬20,‭ ‬here.
ProGay Secretary General William Villacampa pointed out that it is about time for the organized gays in Baguio to formally launch the Metro Baguio chapter as they have been actively participating in nationwide gay rights campaigns.‭

Villacampa disclosed that among the ProGay-Metro Baguio’s on going campaigns is to rally support for the passage of House Bill‭ ‬1483,‭ ‬An Act Defining Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation‭ ‬and Gender Identity and Providing Penalties.‭

He stressed that to ensure the enactment of the law,‭ ‬gays and gay rights advocates should gather in their numbers and call for the passage of the bill.

‭“‬Kung walang magpapakita ng supporta hindi mapapabilis ang pagsulong ng house bill,‭” (‬a show of wider support would hasten the passge of the bill‭) ‬he explained.

House Bill‭ ‬1483‭ ‬is authored by Bayan Muna Representative Teodoro Casiño.‭ ‬

Casiño,‭ ‬through a video message congratulated ProGay-Metro Baguio on its assembly.‭ ‬He stated that the formation of the Metro Baguio chapter should inspire the formation of other chapters in the country and strengthen the national organization of gays.

Moreover Casiño explained that everyone should take part in the fight for the full respect of gay rights.‭ ‬He explained that gays are also active players in the different sectors of society.

According to Casiño,‭ ‬House Bill‭ ‬1483‭ ‬is still pending at the House Committee on justice.‭

Paul Sanglay,‭ ‬the first ProGay president challenged his colleagues to strengthen their unity for the assertion of their rights as human beings.‭ “‬Ipakita natin na may pagkakaisa rin ang mga bakla,‭” (‬Let us show that gays also have unity‭) ‬he stressed.

Sanglay also thanked his colleagues for having faith in him to lead their organization as he called for their continuing support to the up coming ProGay-Metro Baguio activities and projects.‭

Other elected officers are Jheza Guiloan,‭ ‬vice president‭; ‬Renante Cobcobo,‭ ‬treasurer and Freda Manzano,‭ ‬auditor.#‭