The Commission on Human Rights on Friday expressed deep concern over the alleged red-tagging of Irish Inoceto, chairperson of the Iloilo Pride Team, by the hosts of a news program recently.
The anchors allegedly claimed that Inoceto is a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is using LGBTQI issues to recruit students of the Iloilo City National High School.
According to Bahaghari, a partner of the Iloilo Pride Team, it was the transgender students of the ICNHS who sought the help of Inoceto concerning the grooming policy of the school.
The group said such policy causes transgender students "deep emotional distress" and that Inoceto was merely providing "providing them assistance in drafting gender-affirming policies."
The CHR said it opposes blanket labeling that endangers and threatens human rights defenders and advocates, including LGBTQI leaders, who endeavor to help address the concerns of their sector.
"We reiterate the importance of creating a conducive environment for human rights advocates whose work is integral in improving the human rights situation of vulnerable sectors, such as the LGBTQI youth. It is incumbent upon personalities who have the platform to influence to help create a safe and empowering environment instead of contributing to narratives that can feed hate and harm vulnerable groups," the commission said.
