At least two hundred (200) organizations nationwide representing private sector, religious formations, youth and women’s groups, and the LGBTIQ+ community in the Philippines urged President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. to certify the SOGIE Equality Bill as urgent.
The measure seeks to protect lesbians, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ+) individuals from discrimination and harassment in schools, workplaces, and public spaces. It will penalize acts of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression or SOGIE.
Show of Force
Photo courtesy of LAGABLAB Network
“People are coming out for equality,” said Vince Liban of youth group Philippine Anti-Discrimination Alliance of Youth Leaders or PANTAY during the press conference and launch of The Equality Alliance, a movement that seeks passage of the said bill in Congress.
“Last year, 110,000 people in Quezon City celebrated the largest Pride March in Southeast Asia. This year will again be a show of force and support for equality champions in government who will back the bill,” he added.
“The upcoming Pride Marches all around the country is a show of force from the LGBTIQ+ community and allies to urge President Marcos to back the bill,” Angel Romero of Pride PH added.
‘Make equality your legacy’
Reyna Valmores of Bahaghari also appealed to Marcos to remember his pledge before the international community to improve the human rights situation in the country. “The passage of the Equality Bill elevates the Philippines in the global human rights arena,” she said.
“An Equality Law is also a fulfillment of President Marcos’ goal of protecting everyone, especially persons of diverse SOGIE, from discrimination, bullying, and harassment when he issued Executive Order No. 51 last year,” said Loui Dumagat of LGBT Pilipinas, a group that is also a close ally of the President.
“Mr. President, this is a love letter to make equality your legacy – a country built on mutual respect, love, and acceptance,” added Jap Ignacio of Lagablab LGBT Collective.