A drag queen was arrested Wednesday in the Philippines after sparking outrage among the largely Catholic population by depicting Jesus Christ reciting the Our Father during a public performance.
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Amadeus Fernando Pagente, whose stage name is Pura Luka Vega, was accused of blasphemy and declared “persona non grata” by several local governments following the distribution online of a video showing his show, performed in July.
This Filipina was charged with various offenses: “immoral theses, obscene publications, exhibition and indecent representations,” according to the terms of the arrest warrant made public by the Manila police.
From her cell in the capital, the 33-year-old drag queen told AFP that she had “done nothing wrong” and that her arrest was a reflection of the “level of homophobia” that reigns in the Philippines.
She was accused of committing “offensive acts” such as dancing and singing to religious music in the company of partygoers, in one of two criminal complaints filed by Christian groups.
Human rights researcher Carlos Conde described the arrest of Amadeus Fernando Pagente as a “scandal”.
“No one should be arrested and even less detained for having expressed themselves,” reacted Mr. Conde, calling for the charges to be dropped.
For Reyna Valmores, a member of the LGBTQ group Bahaghari, the authorities discriminate against this drag queen, because “heterosexual artists” have also depicted Jesus Christ in a parody without being prosecuted.
“These abuses specifically target members of the LGBTQ+ community,” said Reyna Valmores.
Filipino society is deeply conservative. Catholics make up almost 80% of the population and same-sex marriage, divorce and abortion are prohibited.