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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.

Aaron Bonette

Published

Aug 28, 2019

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:

its supposed intention to promote marriage equality – which it does not, since the bill does not at all touch on this issue
its supposed intent to penalize people who practice religious or academic freedom – which it does not
its supposed intention to dictate churches on their teachings or hiring process – which it does not
its supposed intent to allow gender-markers to be changed in birth certificates – which it does not
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:

protect LGBT persons from discrimination
Give equal access to LGBT persons to employment, education and social services
Promote programs for non-discrimination and diversity in schools and workplaces
Penalize employers who discriminate against LGBT persons
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.”

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.”