NABUNTURAN—Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Plus (LGBTQ+) community in the province of Davao de Oro (formerly Compostela Valley Province) are crying for help due to the onslaught of Covid-19 pandemic.
Michael “Nicole” Peralta, president of the LGBTQ+ chapter in the Municipality of Compostela, some two-hour ride north of Davao City, said in an interview that most of its members are facing financial problem because the main line of business where they work is closed.
“Talagang bumagsak ang kabuhayan namin na wedding services, boutique, at beauty parlor, dahil na-cancel lahat ng mga events dito especially wedding na nangunguna sa aming pinagkakikitaan,” Peralta said.
He admitted they have friends in the Municipal Council who gave them rice, food items and vegetable but it is enough for their needs because of the long duration of the lockdown. “Nagpasalamat kami nila ni Vice Mayor Levi Ebdao, at mga konsehal na sina Ricky Hechanova, Myrel Visitaction Bancasan at Juric Blanco, dahil sa kanilang tulong nila sa aming mga LGBTQ+ ngunit may iba pa kaming pangangailangan na dapat matutugonan,” he said.
Some of them are forced to return to their barangays because there is no work in town centers. Lyncie John Hinampas, one of the LGBTQ+ members said he went home to his parent’s home in Barangay Marapat because the parlor that he used to work was closed. “Dumidiskarte na lang ako sa paghanap ng home service. Mabuti na lang may natanggap din na ayuda ang aking mga magulang galing sa aming barangay,” Hinampas further said.
But while the crisis is ongoing, Peralta and Hinampas are in constant communication with their peers through text and social media. They confessed that it is already boring to stay home but they have to abide by the rightful orders of the government. “Patuloy ang aming komunikasyon sa chat at video call at iniwasan muna namin na magkita ng personal ang mga karelasyon upang masunod ang social distancing”, they said.
Their community is praying that the Covid-19 crisis will end soon because they cannot live forever if they have no source of income. They requested the government that the LGBTQ+ community will also be given support just like all other members of the labor force in the country.
