Advocacy groups, personalities slam Lito Atienza's views on how the purpose of marriage is reproduction
Vice presidential aspirant Lito Atienza is in hot water after expressing his views about how the purpose of marriage is reproduction.
The Congressman defined family as a household with a male father, a female mother, and their kids "caused by reproduction." ANC in Focus host Karmina Constantino followed this up asking Atienza about the importance of love in a family, regardless of the gender of the parents.
"Love within the context of reproduction. Do not forget the word reproduction," he said. "We don't believe in same-sex marriage because marriage is meant for a male and a female and the purpose is reproduction."
"If a Filipino male becomes pregnant, I will change my mind—meaning natural law has already changed also," Atienza added.
Online reactions
Netizens found fault with the VP candidate's logic as many of them pointed out that people don't just marry to reproduce.
"If the purpose of marriage is for reproduction, then why can we do that without first being married?" voice actor Inka Magnaye reacted on Twitter.
If the purpose of marriage is for reproduction, then why can we do that without first being married—this is so stupid I don’t even
— Inka (@inkamagnaye) January 11, 2022
If it’s for reproduction, WHY DOWRIES. WHY CONTRACTS. WHY APPLICATION. WHY NAME CHANGE. WHY https://t.co/eAZyopT5a4 pic.twitter.com/CBuFbVx8Tg
Meanwhile, Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen brought up the purpose of marriage for senior citizens and infertile men and women.
"So it will not make sense for senior citizens to marry? Or those who are not fertile? Asking for a friend," he tweeted.
So it will not make sense for senior citizens to marry? Or those who are not fertile? Asking for a friend. https://t.co/22wzMERaNA
— Marvic Leonen — maroon check (@marvicleonen) January 11, 2022
Fellow VP candidate Walden Bello also said he disagrees with Congressman Atienza.
"Marriage is an institution created by society," he said. "With the further evolution of society's values, marriage has expanded to seal and celebrate a loving union between persons of the same sex."
"Institutions must keep in step with society's growing appreciation of many dimensions of love between human beings, not imprison society in archaic values, definitions, and practices," Bello ended.
LGBTQ+ advocate group UPLB Babaylan stressed how views like Atienza's get in the way of marriage equality for all.
"Equality means making the same choices available to all. Unfortunately, homophobic entities like Atienza have continuously restricted the LGBTQ+ community of the right to marry, simply because it doesn't align with their notion of marriage," UPLB Babaylan said in a statement on Twitter.
"For the queer community, having the right to marry is our cry for the fundamental rights of equality and non-discrimination. This is not just a want but is a need," they added.
Equality means making the same choices available to all. Unfortunately, homophobic entities like Atienza have continuously restricted the LGBTQ+ community of the right to marry, simply because it doesn't align with their notion of marriage. https://t.co/xVySd6giVc
— UPLB Babaylan #SOGIEEqualityNOW (@uplbbabaylan) January 11, 2022
Netizens echoed these sentiments and shared how they viewed marriage on Twitter.
What if the married couple isnt able to reproduce because of infertility? They didnt meet the purpose? Ano yung marriage nila ngayon? Dont you marry someone because you first and foremost love that person and you want to be together forever? ??♂️
— pippin (@donmiguel07) January 11, 2022
first, marriage ≠ reproduction. married couples aren't required to procreate. second, WOMEN AREN'T BABY-MAKING MACHINES. third, what about infertile couples?
— sammy ? (@smnthaaanicole) January 11, 2022
pls re-evaluate yourself, sir. https://t.co/ai2hb1x1nb
Marriage solely for the purpose of reproduction is a concept rooted in men asserting control over women's bodies because they are bound to them by marriage.
— 턴야-씨⁷ ?♡ jimin addiction era (@teendiminie) January 11, 2022
Atienza, 2022 na. Women aren't broodmares. We're thinking beings with rights to our own bodies, not tools for reproduction https://t.co/DKRND14wJi
Atienza has previously made his stance against same-sex marriage and absolute divorce. In October 2021, the Buhay Partylist representative told CNN Philippines that same-sex marriage is "against natural law," and he would never support it.