Equality and the quality of candidates

This week, the most vocal supporters of an independent senatorial candidate accused lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders of "being selfish," and belittled their struggles as "not important," after a prominent LGBT thought leader withdrew support over the candidate's opposition to marriage equality and the anti-discrimination bills.

- 

The candidates' backers even went so far as accusing LGBTs of allegedly preferring corrupt candidates who are more sympathetic to LGBTs.

Even some known heterosexual allies joined the chorus of the candidates' supporters who said the anticorruption campaign must take precedence over LGBT concerns, or that LGBTs must sacrifice their "whims" for the nation's welfare.

Whose fault is this? Did LGBTs force the candidate to make an issue out of them and their concerns? No. In fact, LGBTs were among the first to express interest in and support for the candidate and her anti-corruption platform. Heck, there are many LGBTs among her leading campaign volunteers.

It was the candidate herself who voiced her own, controversial views on LGBT rights and on divorce in senatorial forums. To the surprise of other candidates and especially many of her supporters, she opposed both.

The candidate has since made an apology to LGBTs, acknowledging the pain caused by her statements and vowing not to stand in the way of anti-discrimination legislation.

Wittingly or unwittingly, the candidate achieved something historic: No senatorial campaign, past or present, has promoted or aroused homophobic views at such a level and scale.