On Wednesday, a drag queen from the Philippines, known as Pura Luka Vega, was apprehended for her portrayal of Jesus Christ reciting the Lord’s Prayer. This performance, captured on video, had led to criminal complaints by Christian organizations back in July. Amadeus Fernando Pagente, who is 33 years old and goes by his real name, now faces the possibility of a 12-year jail sentence, in accordance with the obscenity laws prevalent in the predominantly Catholic Philippines, where nearly 80% of the population adheres to Roman Catholicism.
The charges filed against Pagente include “immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and indecent shows,” as stated in the arrest warrant shared by Manila police. In the video, Pagente, in the guise of Jesus Christ with a beard, delivers a rock rendition of the Lord’s Prayer in Tagalog. This video has since been removed.
In July, the Philippines for Jesus Movement, comprising Protestant church leaders, lodged the initial criminal complaint with the Manila Prosecutor’s Office, followed by a second complaint filed in August by the Nazarene Brotherhood, a Catholic group. In response, several cities in the Philippines, including the capital, Manila, declared Pagente as “persona non grata,” signifying an “unwelcome person.”
For many years, drag queens in the Philippines have been celebrated as entertainers who impersonate singers and actresses while delivering humor in stand-up performances. However, Pagente represents a newer generation of drag queens who use their acts to advocate for their causes and push the boundaries of free speech. Pagente argued that their arrest illustrates the extent of homophobia in the Philippines, emphasizing that while their performance may be deemed blasphemous, offensive, or regrettable, it should not dictate their faith or drag practices.
Supporters have rallied behind Pagente’s release, using the hashtag #FreePuraLukaVega and contending that “drag is not a crime.” Some have drawn comparisons between Pagente’s situation and the treatment of alleged murderers and sex offenders who remain free without facing just legal consequences.
Ryan Thoreson, an expert at the Human Rights Watch’s LGBT+ rights program, has also called for the charges against Pagente to be dismissed, emphasizing that freedom of expression encompasses artistic expression, even when it challenges or satirizes religious beliefs and may be considered offensive.
Read more: Pakistan orders Afghan asylum seekers out of country by November
2 Comments