The SOGIE bill, also known as House Bill No. 4982, advocates the elimination of discrimination against individuals who wish to express their sexual orientation or gender identity that differs from the gender assigned to them at birth.
Congresswoman Geraldine Roman, author of the bill, expressed her desire for the legislation to pass in the current congress after it failed to make it through the Senate in the previous congress.
Roman believes that the bill will be supported by President Ferdinand Marcos, who issued a directive on December 22 of the previous year through Executive Order 51. This order strengthens the Diversity and Inclusion Program (DIP); reinstates the Inter-Agency Committee on Diversity and Inclusion; and establishes the Special Committee on Lesbian Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Affairs.
The President aims to enhance mechanisms to address ongoing discrimination against communities and to enable LGBTQIA+ individuals to effectively participate in government policymaking.
"It has helped. The importance of this is the determination to eradicate discrimination in the Executive. But it is not enough. We need a law to protect the LGBTQ plus in the learning institutions, workplace, public establishments and the use of accommodations," Roman stated.
She added that 77 local government units have ordinances against LGBTQIA+ discrimination, but there is no national law relating to this issue.
LGBT Philippines - Taguig City attended the reading of the SOGIE bill in Congress on May 14, 2024. They were supported by Taguig City 1st District Representative Ricardo 'Ading' Cruz Jr.
"Together, we raised our voices to advocate for the rights and protection of the LGBTQ+ community in the Philippines. The SOGIE SC Equality Bill represents a significant step towards ensuring that every Filipino, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, is treated with dignity and respect," LGBT Philippines - Taguig City stated in their Facebook post.
"We are grateful to Congressman Geraldine Roman for championing this cause and for her tireless efforts in pushing for legislation that promotes equality for all. The passage of this bill will bring us closer to a more inclusive and accepting society, where everyone can live their lives authentically and without fear of discrimination," they added.
(Photos from LGBT Philippines - Taguig City)
