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8 Jul 2011

103 suspected anti-LGBT hate crime deaths: the Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch

With 103 suspected anti-LGBT hate crime deaths since 1996 including 28 cases during the first half of 2011 alone, the Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch has embarked on a public campaign to call for more awareness and legislative change. Fridae speaks to researcher Marlon Lacsamana to find out more.

Winton Lou Ynion, a gay doctoral student at the University of the Philippines at the time, was found dead with a knife was firmly planted in his skull on Aug.16, 2009. The 28-year-old was stabbed 40 times in the head, neck and chest by an unknown assailant in his condominium in Quezon City.

Five months earlier, the body of Vincent Jan Rubio, a 28-year-old gay film professor at La Salle College Antipolo, was found lying on a lawn wearing only a polo shirt and underwear. Local media reports say that Rubio might have been killed by two men who might have been “pick-ups”.

Researchers Marlon Lacsamana (right) and Reighben Earl Wystern Mendoza Labilles

These are just two of 103 cases documented by Marlon Lacsamana and Reighben Earl Wystern Mendoza Labilles of the  Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch. According to the duo who are conducting the online study and archiving reports of suspected LGBT-related killings, a total of 103 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered Filipinos have been killed since 1996 including 28 cases during the first half of 2011 alone. Of the 103, 61 were gay men, 26 were transgender, 12 were lesbian, and four were bisexuals. The Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch project, which operates via its blog and on Facebook, is supported by a coalition of individual advocates and organisations.

Lacsamana, 34, who is a librarian by profession was friends with both Ynion and Rubio, began to document the cases as he combed through the news archives of local papers after realising that no one was keeping track of suspected hate crimes in the country despite such cases happening with seeming regularity.

He told Fridae: “It’s personal for me, when I first lost a friend to an indescribable death in March of 2009, I cried and felt hopeless and helpless, and it happened again in September of the same year. I felt there is something to be done. Many LGBTs in the Philippines I know were being killed. And being a librarian, I started collecting the names of the LGBT individuals who were murdered.”

According to the report “A Database of Killed Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Filipinos” that was released on Jun 17, the killers preferred to stab their LGBT victims to death. Thirty-eight of the 103 victims died from multiple stab wounds while 20 were shot. Six were tortured before they were killed. Others were raped, or killed with a blunt object, or suffocated, or dismembered, or burned alive. The study also showed that LGBTS who belonged to the 25 to 44 age group were most vulnerable, with 46 of 103 victims in this age range; and with most crimes happening in the Greater Manila Area.

The cases are based on news reports and personal accounts of people who knew the victims personally collected through email and Facebook.

Actor-turned-director Ricky Rivero, 39, made the headlines in June 2011 for driving himself to the hospital after being stabbed 17 times with a steak knife in the chest area in his home by a 22-year-old man he had known for five months through Facebook. Rivero said they had a sexual relationship in a TV interview two weeks after the attack.

Although the cases cannot be verified at this time, the researchers posit that the “brutalities done to the murdered LGBT Filipinos are also suggestive that they were victims of hate crime.” The authors of the report acknowledged in their report that the cases they have counted have yet to be cross checked with official police records due to the “lack of formal ties with law enforcement officials.” Neither does the police classify cases as (possible) hate crimes due to a lack of official policy.

Lacsamana says the group’s immediate goal is to create a secretariat to collect data, monitor and evaluate the incidence of killings, increase the public’s and government’s awareness of the issues and implement policies that will recognise, investigate, document, and prosecute hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity. 

He also cited difficulties when families of the gay victims did not want to reveal any information that might lead to the sexual orientation of the victims being known publicly, even if the victim was himself openly gay. 

Download the “A Database of Killed Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Filipinos” report (PDF).

Philippines

Reader's Comments

1. 2011-07-08 23:42  
This is crazy. Very alarming. Please, Philipino frens. Stay close with your gay friends.
2. 2011-07-09 03:41  
There are 28 cases of hate brutal crimes alone this year. Can someone bring this matter over and over again through social media, radio talk show, newspaper editors to the public at a national level that the government, police authorities and the president has to address to the public at some point. Remember the slogan from the 80's: SILENCE=DEATH. Where is human rights? We are humans too.
3. 2011-07-09 05:47  
I didn't realise the gay-hate situation was quite bad in Phil, stay safe by not traveling alone at nite guys!
4. 2011-07-09 09:34  
Making the law tougher when murder is also a hate crime is one approach. In some cases it may help the relatives of the victim feel better but obviously it doesn't help the victim.
Hate crimes occur because hate exists, therefore addressing the CAUSE of hate should obviously be the utmost priority.
Hoewever, opening that box leads to rather disturbing observations, the first one being that the catholic church is largely responsible for keeping homophobia alive and well in every country where the Vatican has a stronghold (as in the Philippines). Needless to add, same goes with Muslim clerics wherever they manage to be in control of the so-called "masses".

Hypocrisy being the inseparable demon of all clergies, especially within the catholic tradition, they will tell you "oh no! we do NOT incite people to hate gays, all we're saying is that it's WRONG to be gay and even more WRONG to have gay sex. A subtle jesuistic difference : to be or not to be, to do or not to do. The "tolerant" official stance of the Vatican at the present time being : if gays can't help being what they are (but they should try hard nonetheless) at least they should refrain from all action... ie the epitome of hypocrisy.

But human beings need to believe in something. When that "something" comes with all kinds of crazy and dangerous ideas about right and wrong, natural and unnatural, it's manipulation in the name of religion and that is what clergies do.
When a Rottweiler bites someone to death you don't drag the dog to court, you blame its master, and rightly so. The question is, why do most human beings need someone to take over their minds, and can this ever be changed ? Would the price to pay be absolute chaos ?
Comment edited on 2011-07-09 11:28:27
5. 2011-07-09 11:09  
An old saying, "HEREOS turn up during difficulties"...
These stories sure eventually agitate "HEROES" to do something like campaigns to trumpet GAY RIGHTS!!
6. 2011-07-09 11:25  
homosexuality is here to stay.
Religion is here to stay.
All the gay bashing in the world will not change that fact.
All the religion bashing in the world will not change that fact..

I am very disturbed (particularly recently) by the increasing anti-religious sentiments and hatred in these forums, and often they are linked with racism.

Ridicule and hating only makes the opposite side EVEN stronger and much more determined.

Constant 'smashing' of religion here not only further alienates religious homophobes to the extreme, but also disenfranchises and disheartens those amongst us in the gay community that hold religion as a big part of their life.

It might also be noted, that many gay haters/bashers are not religious.

Change will happen, (as it already is within some churches) and it will happen within religions from forces within, not by external attacks.
Comment edited on 2011-07-09 17:32:07
7. 2011-07-09 11:52  
Is religion really here to stay jupiter101? (post 6). I am very happy to observe that religion has far less followers today than it did 50 years ago. Sure religion has been around for a long time now and it will be a long long time before it is totally dead however the time will come.
8. 2011-07-09 12:20  
dear Andy370 (post6) hey thanks for your polite response to my comment :) I think you are right that the 'Christian religions' may be declining in followers, particularly Catholic, and protestant religions, but I'm not so sure about fundamentalists and/or Islamic traditions. I'll be corrected on that. Needless to say that religion is probably here to stay long after homosexuality is universally accepted. I agree if, hypothetically as you suggest, religion is not here to stay, it will not be for many lifetimes.
But is the demise of religion really an answer?
Comment edited on 2011-07-09 17:27:11
Comment #9 was deleted by its author on 2011-07-09 15:51
10. 2011-07-09 14:25  
In the end, religion or no religion, we deserve respect and acceptance for who we are. The reality is that without the GLBT people, this world would be a much duller place, in the creative arts, we are outstanding. We must not accept this sort of treatment, or diminish our own positions. While it is clear that most of these crimes are more to do with a cultural bend, they are none the less, inexcusable.
11. 2011-07-09 15:51  
Dear Jupiter 101 #8

I agreed with your comment.
It does not matter whether religion will be here for long time or short time. LGBT should promote human rights to protect themselves. Leave religion debate aside because it has nothing to do with human right laws. Most of the countries' state laws have excluded religion while making new laws and reviewing existing laws.

I do not have religion but I believe there are many people who are religious are good people, like many of my friends. They find peace in their religion, respect them. It is the way to show them that they have to respect LGBT as well. IF WE HATE THEM, THEY WILL HATE US. right?
12. 2011-07-10 00:05  
Religion is propagate a thinking without doubt, they call it faith, it full of empty promises (virgin, heaven, sin will be eliminated if u follow etc) and it is dangerous. Unfortunately it suit most.

Honor killing is one of this result.

Oh well, my friend like to say every minute a fool is born.

Comment #13 was deleted by its author on 2011-07-10 00:08
Comment #14 was deleted by its author on 2011-07-10 00:07
15. 2011-07-10 00:28  
i think the story of ricky rivero is not about hate crime,. i think it's about the suspect like to get possible opportunity by getting to know more influencial people for better future which in return he was taken advantage by ricky tru sexual act. .which unfortunately during the time they start to get to know each other, the suspect unfortunately experiencing financial problem like his father need medical assistance,. and unfortunately ricky not convince to help the suspect for the primary reason he just want to have some casual sex 'cause i think he believe sex can come and go without using money because ricky is also a good looking guy which he can easily find good looking guy without money involve. moral lesson,. don't expect something from somebody you don't know well.
16. 2011-07-10 12:11  
RIP :(
you didn't deserve this
17. 2011-07-10 18:04  
i agree with Jupiter- but it's hard not to feel angry at this kind of situation... it's very sad and i pity people that lack tolerance and respect for human life.
18. 2011-07-11 02:50  
A guys is killed by an unknown assailant in his condominium in Quezon City. Five months earlier, another was found lying on a lawn wearing only a polo shirt and underwear. Local media reports say that he MIGHT have been killed by two men who might have been “pick-ups”. Media speculation, over at least one murder. And, Rivero said he had a sexual relationship with this 22-year-old man he had known for five months through Facebook? This is NOT a hate crime!! Not anymore than a victim of a robbery getting shot while picking up a six pack at a 7-11 by someone who doesn't even know the victim.

I don't believe Philippine media any more than American media. They haven't the moral fortitude to tell the real truth anyway, all they want is viewership, which is why TV network and local news are going down the tubes to begin with. Make some freaking sense! Don't dilute the whole argument with extraneous crap.

And as for the religion haters, I don't know where you think your existence came from, random collisions of cosmic dust, or whatever, but as for me putting God first gives me more peace than any amount of hunk humping ever could.
19. 2011-07-11 04:53  
Bad news will always travel faster than good news.The Philippine media love exploitation of any sorts-gay,straight or anything else that will sell papers.Especially when the newspaper business as we know it is dying due to on-line access for all the news a person could want.The writers for Fridae however should be astute enough to pick up timely news as it happens especially when it is positive news and affects the Asian gay community.The SCMP reported on July 10th that Hong Kong Immigration now quietly issues relationship visas to same sex partners of gay businessmen that live and work in Hong Kong.This is positive and very progressive news for all those that live and work in Hong Kong.
Comment #20 was deleted by its author on 2011-08-13 17:16
21. 2011-07-11 08:58  
Probably as that is the mentality in the Philippines.
22. 2011-07-11 11:12  
religious or non-religious in gay circle is a topic which will not be ended. the most important things that we have to care is are we doing a good role in this circle, are we walking at the right path as a gay. do good and enjoy our life.
back to the article, i feel so sad for those friends that being killed or tortured. i hope that philippines can really do something for it, as they are part of the country....
23. 2011-07-11 12:41  
Just a small tip of the iceberg...
24. 2011-07-11 14:57  
I believe that we are here to stay, we own that right because we are human too. Yet somehow, we need to upgrade ourselves, do more good things in our life, showing that we as LGBT can also contribute many good acts in this life.
Leave your religion behind, it's between yourself and your creator.
For my brothers and sisters in Philippines, do take care, and watch each other.

25. 2011-07-11 15:37  
It make me scary .. really
26. 2011-07-11 17:10  
thank you to fridae and to all who have shown support!
Comment edited on 2011-07-11 17:10:47
27. 2011-07-11 19:16  
I question the authorities and the government of the nation involved. What measures have been taken?
28. 2011-07-12 13:08  
tragic but I doubt this is happening in Philippines only.
perhaps similar crimes in other countries were not reported?
29. 2011-07-12 14:11  
Seriously though you all are off mark defending or attacking religion...who cares? I don't believe in theism and so I don't entertain the notion of "where do I think I came from?". Its irrelevant. The issue of victims and culprits is not poignant unless it leads to holding perpetrators accountable for their violence (individual or state endorsed) against members of the GLBT community.

The devotion which I hold myself to is simple... I strive to live, love and be of service (imperfectly at times, but conscious and accountable for my imperfection). The issue of human rights must begin to illuminate what we confront worldwide in the GLBT community. Fortunately the UN has identified it as a measurable component to evaluate human rights abuses in countries around the world...at least the UN will be compiling the evidence as well.
For all its self promotion as a leader in human rights and freedom, those of us who live in the USA know that for GLBT we are still persecuted, politically and physically, and people still debate whether we are beaten for being gay, or beaten because someone else experiences gay fear trauma around us (its the PTSD defense for the murders of GLBT people in the USA). Anyway, yes we who are more protected must provide support and assistance to those living in areas in the world where they are adrift in a sea of intolerance, indifference, and targets of physical and mortal violence.
In Peace
bearnard
30. 2011-07-13 01:20  
Many of us, especially the younger, cannot leave our faith behind, it's part of us as much as anything else, not only between ourselves and our Creator.

Religion is just a structure, but faith is the foundation on which it stands. Faith that means intolerance is a false faith, that puts one in a seat of judgement against another. That is part of why we have hate crime. One cannot see the beam in his own eye to see the speck in his brother's eye, or is all too willing to cast stones. That has been the theme of the Gospel all the time.

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