Sara Duterte: LGBT din ako

Identifying with the LGBT, vice presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte called for respect and non-discrimination of the members of the community.

“Do not allow people to define you cause of your beliefs, because of your gender, because of your age," she told members of the LGBT community in a meet and greet event in Quezon City on Thursday.

She shared an instance wherein members of the LGBT expressed love for her during her “Mahalin Natin Ang Pilipinas” ride.

“Ang sabi sakin doon sa isang mga nadaanan namin na LGBT group sa aming pangangampanya sa Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas. Sabi niya, ‘Mahal na mahal ka namin, Inday Sara.’ Sabi ko, ‘Mahal ko po kayo, mahalin natin ang Pilipinas,’” she said.

“Sabi niya, ‘Hindi, mahal ka namin dahil mahal mo ang LGBT.’ Sabi ko naman sa kanya, paanong hindi ko ba mamahalin ang LGBT e LGBT din ako?” she added.

The presidential daughter also shared that this was the reason why she cut her hair short in some instances. She explained that someone told her that her gender expression is male.

“Sa gender stereotyping, ang sinasabi nila ang lalaki maikli ang buhok, ang babae mahaba ang buhok. Kaya po minsan nakikita ninyo maikli ang buhok ko, gusto ko po maging lalaki niyan. Pag ayaw ko na po maging lalaki, pinapahaba ko po ang aking buhok,” Sara said.

“Totoo po ‘yan. Tinanong ko po ang human resource namin dahil isa po siyang LGBT. Sabi ko, ‘Bakit paminsan-minsan gusto ko maging lalaki, minsan gusto ko maging babae? Pero madalas gusto ko yung mga gawain ng lalaki pero hindi naman ako attracted sa babae,’” she said.

“So in-explain nya sa akin. Sabi niya ang sexual orientation mo ay babae, ang gender expression mo ay lalaki,” she added.

Duterte said people should not be surprised if she cuts her hair like those of a man.

“Kaya wag po kayong magtaka, paminsan-minsan mawawala ‘yung buhok ko dahil, pag short hair sinasabi nila lalaki ako. Pag gusto naman magmukhang babae, pinapahaba ko ang buhok ko,” she said.—LDF, GMA News