The Applicant Series showcases works done by hopeful writers who have applied with inkmypapers over the years. The results and comments will be provided first, followed by the actual essay/report written by the applicant
Applicant’s Results: Failed
Title: Same-Sex Marriage in the Philippines
Comments: Even though it is an academic essay and the applicant is told to provide citations, the applicant did not provide any in-text citations whatsoever in the submitted piece. Also, there are numerous lapses in academic writing, such as the use of short forms (e.g. won’t, don’t). Ultimately, we reject the applicant as she fails to adhere to the instructions of the test essay.
The recent success of the same-sex marriage act in the United States is an unprecedented event for liberal politics. It shows that civil rights for a given social group, no matter how long fought, can be achieved through consistent social action. However, just because it worked in the United States means it can apply to every country.
The Philippines won’t follow the legalization of same-sex marriage for two main reasons.
First, our society is not as discriminatory of gay people. Socially speaking, they are accepted in society such as having gay personalities in media, allowing the Ladlad partylist to run for elections and allowing gays to serve the military. Despite this, there is still an existing element of discrimination for the LGBT community in this country. They still don’t have that strong social pressure to influence the majority to fight with them in their cause for equality and above all, approval for marriage. Even though the LGBT community is represented by the Ladlad partylist,The party received 113,187 votes or 0.37% (excluding votes from Lanao del Sur), below the optional 2% threshold and was not able to win a seat in Congress in the 2010 elections, in addition to this, only ordinances in Quezon City and Cebu have addressed equality issues regarding them but there is still not yet a national law passed, hence, they are still not a strong policy making actor in politics.
Another factor to support my first claim is, we are convinced on thinking that majority of Filipinos actually agree on legalizing same sex marriage in this country but in fact,based on the Laylo Research strategies survey, 7 in 10 Filipinos strongly disagree with same sex marriage.
Second, the Philippines is a strictly religious country with several religions that do not condone with same sex marriage. Another is the Filipino value of prioritizing the blessing of getting married not just to see it a legal binding ceremony but a first step in building a family. Even though same sex couples have that idea of living together and raising a family, the environment still wouldn’t be that of a natural on. Religion has a big influence in our society as a whole, the RH Bill made such a huge fuss because it contradicted the religious belief that people should’t conduct artificial ways in terms of birth control because all lives are a gift from God, so what more will this issue of same sex marriage bring forth for the religious foundation that this country has. As a religious pluralist, I do not have anything against the LGBT community and same sex couples, as long as they productive and good citizens of this country, they pay their taxes and do their duties then that is fine with me. I believe that one’s sexuality doesn’t define who they are, but in this case of legalizing same sex marriage in this country, we are talking about breaking down a high pillar of traditions of beliefs and religious foundations that has molded this society.Is it really worth a risk just to satisfy the LGBT minority?
Indeed, we all have our own opinion whether or not the Philippines will follow the I
USA’s example of legalizing same sex marriage, it’s going to be a long way for this country to reach that path, though we recognize the separation of church and state, we are of mindful that religion is one of the basic foundation of this country.
