At least 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
“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.
In 2023, at least 110,000 people attended the Pride event in Quezon City alone, which is “a show of force and support for equality champions in government who will back the bill,” Liban added.
This is why “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.”
“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,” ended Jap Ignacio of Lagablab LGBT Collective.
