KaladKaren pushes for marriage equality, says Philippines needs divorce first

“My prayer as an LGBTQIA plus rights advocate is to have equal rights for everybody,” KaladKaren, or Jervi Wrightson, said in an interview with radar Entertainment.

As an LGBTQIA+ rights advocate, the TV host and actress acknowledged that progress has been made, citing right-to-care ordinances passed in several cities and provinces. She also said she had spoken with Rep. Brian Poe Llamanzares, along with members of Akbayan Partylist, about a proposed national right-to-care bill.

The SOGIE Equality Bill, however, remains among the measures the community is waiting to see advance.

KaladKaren said there is still a long way to go before the Philippines reaches marriage equality, but she remains hopeful that lawmakers will eventually consider it.

“So I pray that there will be marriage equality in the Philippines. But first, divorce,” she declared.

Marriage equality, she said, should also recognize the realities of modern Filipino families and give couples greater legal protection and options.

Beyond advocating for equal rights, KaladKaren also sees her visibility as a responsibility.

The media personality said being regarded as an LGBTQIA+ icon means she must use her platform to represent the community properly, especially since not everyone has access to the media.

“I’ve always taken it as a responsibility also. Because the mere fact that you have this platform, this influence, it should be an inherent responsibility,” she said.

She added that public figures who speak for the community must stay informed about issues affecting its members.

“You should be able to say something because you’re giving voice to the voiceless,” she said.

KaladKaren also weighed in on the recent publicized tension between drag artists Eva Le Queen and Ms. Jade, but stopped short of taking sides.

She said she had not personally spoken to either artist about the issue and was only basing her understanding on what she had read online.

Still, she hoped the two would eventually reconcile, stressing the importance of unity within the drag community.

“That’s our prayer for the whole drag community. Because it’s just one community,” she said.

KaladKaren said greater solidarity could mean more support for Filipino drag artists instead of the public seeing the community as divided.

“They’re sisters,” she added, expressing hope that Eva and Jade would eventually be okay.

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