Heidi Mendoza acknowledges backlash to same-sex marriage stance

Senatorial candidate Heidi Mendoza acknowledged that some in the LGBTQ community have revoked their support following her stance against marriage equality.

In separate statements on Facebook on Tuesday and Wednesday, Mendoza thanked them for their previous support and extended her apology to LGBTQ Filipinos who will continue supporting her.

“Masakit po sa akin yung withdrawal ng LGBT community pero naiintindihan ko po…Mas masakit sa akin at tuluyan akong bumigay sa mga nag-paiwan. Sana lang, huwag nang palalimin pa ang pagkakawatak-watak. Sa kanila ako humihingi ng paumanhin,” she said.

(The withdrawal of the LGBT community is painful for me, but I understand…What hurts more and makes me feel worse is those who are left. I hope we don’t make this disharmony go deeper. I am seeking forgiveness from them.)

“Nalulungkot lang ako… Mukhang mas mag viral pa yata yung sagot ko sa mga kontrobersyal na tanong dahil naging totoo ako, kesa naging hearing ngayon sa Congress on fake news,” she added.

(It just makes me sad… I think my honest answers to controversial questions have become more viral than the Congress hearing on fake news.)

'Respect institutions'

During one of her campaign activities, Mendoza had said that she was not in favor of same-sex marriage, adding that policies can be adjusted to acknowledge same-sex relationships.

“Madali po magsabing maggawa tayo ng bagong batas, subalit pakiramdaman po natin… Tatawid ba ang ganito sa panahon, at sa sistema, at sa institutions na mayroon tayo? Uulitin ko po, lahat ay may karapatan magmahal. Subalit ang tunay na pagmamahal, handang magsakripisyo at kumikilala ng hangganan at rumerespeto sa mga institusyon,” she said.

(It’s easy for us to say we will make a new law, but let us feel it out… Will it push through this period, this system, and these institutions that we have? I repeat, we all have the right to love. However, true love means being ready to sacrifice, recognize limits, and respect the institution.)

After her remarks, one of Mendoza's most well-known advocates, Sassa Gurl, said that she respected Mendoza but could no longer support her candidacy.

“Iginagalang ko po ang tindig ni Ma'am Heidi Mendoza [hinggil] sa usapin ng marriage equality kaya ikinalulungkot ko pong ipinapaalam na binabawi ko po ang aking suporta. Hiling ko rin po ang inyong pang-unawa sa aking naging desisyon,” the influencer and LGBTQ icon said in a post on X.

(I respect Ma’am Heidi Mendoza stand on marriage equality, which is why I am sad to announce that I am revoking my support. I ask for your understanding of my decision.)

Mendoza, a CPA and a former Commission on Audit commissioner, is seeking a Senate spot in the 2025 midterm elections. She apologized to LGBTQ Filipinos who are disappointed by her stance and clarified that she is still campaigning for their rights.

“Humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa mga nasaktan at na-disappoint pero hindi ibig sabihin na hindi ko kinikilala ang inyong karapatan at hindi ko pinapakinggan ang inyong mga hinaing… Sisimulan ko sa paghahanap ng budget sa pangangailangan niyo, budget sa pagkakapantay-pantay ng karapatan at kasarian,” she said.

(I seek forgiveness from those who were hurt and disappointed, but it does not mean that I do not recognize your rights and that I do not listen to your sentiments… I will begin with looking for the budget to address your needs, a budget for equal rights and genders.)

“Hindi man tayo magkaparehas ng pamamaraan… pero bahagi ng tungkulin ng Senado ang manggawa ng polisiya na magpapatibay ng mga institusyon sa laban sa katiwalian,” she continued.

(We may not be the same in our ways… but part of the responsibility of the Senate is to create policies that strengthen institutions against wrongdoing.)

'Maling paratang'

In a third post, Mendoza clarified that she always knew her campaign would not be easy.

She stated that the incident caused her to experience false accusations, and that her goal was to remain united.

“Corruption and gender inequality are interconnected, parehas silang mahalaga. Subalit hindi ko kayang harapin ng sabay ng may pantay na lakas at kakayanan ang parehas na malalim na suliranin ng ating lipunan… Masakit lang kasi kung kailan mo sinusubukang hawiin ang mga balakid sa pagkakaisa, ikaw ang unang nagpasiklab, nagpa-alala, ng hapdi nilang mga hindi nabigyan ng tamang pagkilala ng lipunang mapanghusga!” she said.

(Corruption and gender inequality are interconnected, both of them are important. However, I can’t address both social issues with the same strength and capabilities… It just hurts when you try to remove the obstacles to unity, you are the first one to trigger and make people recall the pain of those who were not rightly recognized by a judgmental society!)

“Kung paano naranasan kong salubungin ng hinihiyaw ang aking pangalan, kagabi lang naranasan ko rin [m]aramdaman ang sakit ng maling paratang! Madali lang manalo. Ang mas mahirap [ay] manalo ng buo pa rin ang prinsipyo! Hindi ako tumakbo upang sa huli, maghiwa-hiwalay tayo!”

(Just like how I experienced being greeted with screams of my name in support, I also experienced yesterday the pain of false accusations! It’s easy to win. What is hard is to win with your principles intact! I didn’t run just for us to be separated!)

'From spark of hope to lesser evil'

Drag queen Eva Le Queen, who competed in Drag Race Philippines and Ru Paul’s Drag Race All-Stars, said that Mendoza’s statement appeared as if the SOGIE bill was no longer needed.

While she said she would still vote for Mendoza, she mourned over the fact that the candidate is now, for her, a “lesser evil” instead.

“Ang delikado pa sa statement ni [Mendoza] is parang pinapalabas niya na hindi na kailangan pa ang SOGIE Equality bill kasi may mga ‘paraan’ naman para mabuhay ang [same-sex] couples which is mali. Maling mali. Habang gamit na gamit ang mga bakla sa campaigns niya like Sassa Gurl. I can’t get over this heartbreak,” she said.

(What’s dangerous about [Mendoza’s] statement is that she seems to be implying that the SOGIE Equality bill isn’t needed because there are ‘ways’ for [same-sex] couples to exist, which is wrong. It’s very wrong. Meanwhile, she keeps using gay people like Sadda Gurl in her campaigns. I can’t get over this heartbreak.)

“Spark of hope na naging lesser evil pa. I will still vote for her [because] of her competence… kahit na obviously hindi niya ipaglalaban ang karapatan ng mga katulad ko,” she added in a separate post.

(She was supposed to be the spark of hope, but became a lesser evil. I will still vote for her [because] of her competence… even if she obviously won’t fight for the rights of someone like me.) — BM, GMA Integrated News

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