User:Jasper137/sandbox

Introduction
The Philippines recently ranked as one of the most gay-friendly nations in the world, and the most LGBT friendly in Asia. On a global survey covering 39 countries, only 17 of which had majorities accepting homosexuality, the Philippines ranked as the 10th most gay-friendly. The survey titled “The Global Divide on Homosexuality” conducted by the US-based Pew Research Center showed that 73 percent of adult Filipinos agreed with the statement that “homosexuality should be accepted by society,” up by nine percentage points from 64 percent in 2002.

Despite this fact, the LGBT community is one of the minority sectors of the country. Being part of the minority has given lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders a disadvantage in getting hired for jobs, acquiring rights for civil marriage, and even in starting up their own businesses. This negative perception of LGBT community led to the rise of the cause for LGBT rights. LGBT rights in the Philippines is defined as the right to equality and non-discrimination. As a member of the UN, the Philippines is signatory to various international covenants promoting human rights.

Contemporary (2000s- Present)
The LGBT movement has been very active in the new millennium. In the advent of the 2000s, more LGBT organizations were formed to serve specific needs, including sexual health (particularly HIV), psychosocial support, representation in sports events, religious and spiritual needs, and political representation. For example, the political party Ang Ladlad was founded by Danton Remoto, a renowned LGBT advocate, last 2003. The community has also shown their advocacies through the 21st LGBT Pride March held in Luneta Park last June 27, 2015, with the theme, "Fight For Love: Iba-Iba. Sama-Sama". This movement aims to remind the nation that the fight for LGBT rights is a fight for human rights. Advocates are calling on the Philippines to recognize the voices of people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. In present time, there remains no umbrella LGBT organization in the Philippines. Therefore, organizations tend to work independently of each other. Due to these divisions, there remains no prioritization of efforts, with organizations focusing on what they consider as important for them.

Religion
Several religious beliefs exists within the country, some of them including Roman Catholicism, the Iglesia ni Cristo, and Islam, among many others. These different faiths have their own views and opinions towards the topic of homosexuality.

Roman Catholicism
The Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country with approximately 82.9 percent of the population claiming to be Roman Catholics. The Roman Catholic Church has been one of the most active religious organizations in the country in the opposition of the LGBT community. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines firmly states that marriage should only exist between a man and a woman. Also, they have called on individuals and politicians to actively oppose same-sex marriage. They said that individuals should refuse to take part in ceremonies celebrating same-sex relationships and politicians should resist legalizing marriages of homosexual couples. They also stated that “A homosexual union is not and can never be a marriage as properly understood and so-called." However, they also said that "being a homosexual is not a sin. It is a state of a person." The Catholic Church welcomes members of the LGBT community, yet, as stated, gay people should be “welcomed with respect and sensitivity.”

Iglesia ni Cristo
The Iglesia ni Cristo does not condemn the fact of being a homosexual in itself, but rather, they adhere to the teachings of the Bible and they denounce those who practice homosexual acts, as they are seen as immoral and wicked. These acts include having sexual affairs and relations with partners of the same sex, cross-dressing, and same-sex marriage. Also, in the Iglesia ni Cristo, men are not allowed to have long hair, for it is seen as a symbol of femininity and should be exclusive to women only. Due to the fact that the INC's faith is founded upon the Bible, when a member of the INC is found out to be LGBT, he/she will be asked to leave the congregation as being a homosexual is not in line with their beliefs.

Islam
Muslim communities, like all other religious groups, face the challenge of confronting diversity. However, for many Muslims, dealing with homosexuality or transgender issues is a matter of sin and heresy, not difference and diversity. The Islamic community in the Philippines views homosexuality in a negative manner. It is considered to be a great sin to have a relationship with someone of the same sex. Muslims see homosexuals as persons who suffer from a moral disorder. For the Islam community, homosexuality is a sin and should be severely punished for it is not in Allah’s plan. As cited in the Qur’an, “O people, we created you all from a male and female / And made you into different communities and different tribes / So that you should come to know one another / Acknowledging that the most noble among you Is the one most aware of God”

Economy
The LGBT community, although a minority in the economic sphere, still plays an integral role in the growth and maintenance of the economy. LGBT individuals face challenges in employment both on an individual level and as members of a community that is subject to discrimination and abuse. This can be compounded by the weak social status and position of the individuals involved.

A USAID study conducted in 2014, entitled "The Relationship between LGBT Inclusion and Economic Development: An Analysis of Emerging Economies", has shown that countries which have adopted anti-LGBT economic laws have lower GDPs compared to those who do not discriminate employers/employees based on their sexual orientation. The link between discrimination and the economy is direct, since the discrimination experienced by members of the LGBT community turn them into disadvantaged workers, which can be bad for business. Disadvantaged workers usually practice absenteeism, low productivity, inadequate training and high turnover, which make for higher labor costs and lower profits. According to the USAID study, LGBT people in their sample countries are limited in their freedoms in ways that also create economic harms.

On the other hand, studies have shown that the integration of the LGBT into the economic system yields a higher income for the country. In a recent USAID study, it is said that a wide range of scholarly theories from economics, political science, sociology, psychology, public health, and other social sciences support the idea that full rights and inclusion of LGBT people are associated with higher levels of economic development and well-being for the country. Also, the acceptance of LGBT people within the office environment can lead to higher income for the company since the people do not feel as disadvantaged and as discriminated as before. Another thing is that a better environment for LGBT individuals can be an attractive bargaining chip for countries seeking multinational investments and even tourists, since a conservative climate that keeps LGBT people in the closet and policymakers from recognizing the human rights of LGBT people will hold their economy back from its full potential. Naturally, passing a non-discrimination law will not immediately lead to a sudden boost in the country's economy, although less discrimination should eventually lead to more output.