Priest dissuades gays from working in Saudi

An official of the Catholic Church has warned Filipino homosexuals not to seek employment in Saudi Arabia following the recent issuance of the Kingdom of a laws banning gay and lesbian workers in their country.

According to Fr. Edwin Corros, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People, Filipinos who belong to the third sex will likely be discriminated if they will opt to work in Saudi.

“It’s much better if they don’t go to Saudi. They should look for another country where there is no discrimination,” he said over Church-run Radyo Veritas 846.

“It would be a waste of talent if an individual is capable of working but will not be allowed because he is gay,” he added.

Corros further said chances of Filipino gays violating the existing laws in the oil-rich kingdom is likely so they should no longer push to work in Saudi.

He, though, said he understands the decision of the Saudi government as it has something to do with their religious beliefs.

“There are really countries where such laws are being implemented…and we respect that,” he said.

The Saudi government last month announced a ban on the recruitment of gay and lesbian workers including those coming from other countries.

In its May 26 memorandum, the consular section of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia had reminded local recruitment agencies in Manila to be stricter in screening job applicants on their sexual orientation.

Unlike in the Philippines, the Saudi government does not allow open displays of homosexual behavior, which is rooted on the Islamic teachings. Marie A. Surbano, Daily Tribune