Since the current version of the anti-discrimination bill, the SOGIE Equality Bill, benefits everyone, the Philippine Senate should “give equality a chance by putting the SOGIE Equality Bill on the plenary agenda in July,” stated LGBTQIA-centric lobby group Philippine Anti-Discrimination Alliance of Youth Leaders (PANTAY).
In a statement released in time as the world observes Pride month, the group said that instead of merely blocking the bill, “the best way to open the bill to all voices is through interpellations” considering that there are also religious groups and parents alike who also want their families and children protected from discrimination.
“We urge the Senate president Chiz Escudero and the majority floor leader Senator Francis Tolentino to expedite hearing the bill in the Rules Committee and endorse it to the plenary soon,” PANTAY stated.
Even now, there is still no national law that guarantees the protection of the human rights of LGBTQIA Filipinos. The anti-discrimination bill itself has been pending in the Senate since 2000.
“(The) SOGIE Equality Bill and anti-discrimination bills are important policies that need to see the light of day. Give the SOGIE Equality Bill a fair chance for majority of Filipinos who want and need the law to protect them,” PANTAY ended.
