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Philippine supreme court overturns ban on gay political party
The Philippine supreme court overturned a decision yesterday barring a gay rights group from contesting national elections in May and recognized it as a legitimate political party for the first time.
In a unanimous ruling, the 15-member court threw out decisions by the Elections Commission denying accreditation to Ang Ladlad (Out of the Closet) on grounds that it tolerates immorality and offends both Christians and Muslims.
The justices said the party had complied with all legal requirements, and that there is no law against homosexuality.
"I felt vindicated," said the group's leader, Danton Remoto, an English professor at the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University.
He said that Ang Ladlad had struggled for recognition and accreditation for the past seven years.