Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

NEWSMAKERS

Clarifications given on SOGIE Equality Bill; focus on ‘facts over fake news’ pushed

With continuing confusion about the SOGIE Equality Bill, clarifications are now being made to specify what the proposed law really intends to do versus those feared it would do if/when passed.

With fear-mongering surfacing with continuing confusion about the SOGIE Equality Bill, the latest iteration of the anti-discrimination bill (ADB), clarificatory notes are now being spread online to specify what the proposed law really intends to do versus those feared it would do if/when passed.

The Facebook page of Sen. Rosa Hontiveros – who is championing Senate Bill No. 159 – for instance, released a “facts over fake news” post that tackles what many think the bill promotes, versus what it really contains.

Among misconceptions continuously linked with the bill pertain to:

  1. its supposed intention to promote marriage equality – which it does not, since the bill does not at all touch on this issue
  2. its supposed intent to penalize people who practice religious or academic freedom – which it does not
  3. its supposed intention to dictate churches on their teachings or hiring process – which it does not
  4. its supposed intent to allow gender-markers to be changed in birth certificates – which it does not
  5. and its supposed intent to violate the rights of straight people – again, which it does not

FOR THOSE STILL UNFAMILIAR WITH SENATE BILL NO. 159, DOWNLOAD THE COPY HERE.

Instead, the bill eyes to:

  1. protect LGBT persons from discrimination
  2. Give equal access to LGBT persons to employment, education and social services
  3. Promote programs for non-discrimination and diversity in schools and workplaces
  4. Penalize employers who discriminate against LGBT persons
  5. Provide programs to protect LGBT kids in schools

The bill also “extends equal rights to all persons. Gay or straight, sexual harassment and assault are punishable by law.”

Image may contain: text
No photo description available.

FOR THOSE STILL UNFAMILIAR WITH SENATE BILL NO. 159, DOWNLOAD THE COPY HERE.

According to Hontiveros, “Every time equal rights is being championed, may it be for indigenous peoples, women, or persons with disability, oppositors are always quick to take out the ‘special rights’ card. This is very dangerous.”

For Hontiveros, “Hindi magkakalaban ang mga karapatan ng mga marhinalisadong sektor. The advancement of one is always the advancement of all. We marginalize one, we marginalize all.”

No photo description available.
No photo description available.
Image may contain: text

FOR THOSE STILL UNFAMILIAR WITH SENATE BILL NO. 159, DOWNLOAD THE COPY HERE.

Written By

Used to be identified as a "batang beki", Aaron Moises C. Bonete is a gender non-conforming person. They established EU Bahaghari in Enverga University in Lucena, where they were one of the leaders to mainstream discussions of LGBTQIA+ issues particularly among the youth. They are currently helping out LGBTQIA+ community organizing, believing that it is when we work together that we are strongest ("Call me idealistic, I don't care!" they said). They write for Outrage Magazine to provide the youth perspective - meaning, they try to be serious even as they try to "party, party, party", befitting their quite-newbie status.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Like Us On Facebook

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Living History

Hiding one’s homosexuality from a spouse can be considered fraud and may be used as a ground to annul a marriage. This is according...

Op-Ed

"Hindi madali maging intersex at hindi lahat ng tao ay may kakayahang maintindihan ang amiing pinagdadaanan pero sa kabila ng lahat ng paghihirap, natutunan...

Op-Ed

"Ang mga katulad kong intersex ay kadalasan ay hindi maintindihan ng ibang tao. Ang totoo, minsan nga kami rin mismo ay hindi namin maintindihan...

NEWSMAKERS

Outrage Magazine publisher and editor in chief, Michael David dela Cruz Tan, MDC, was selected for the 2025 Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic...

Advertisement