Sorra, Domingo Rafael C.

english
10 - chrysolite

The discrimination of queer people and the

need for SOGIE equality bill

One of the growing issues in our country is discrimination on the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, bisexual, Transgender,
Queer, Intersex, Asexual). One of the news that the government is focusing on is a transgender, GRETCHEN DIEZ, who
is not admitted by the janitress to the woman's cr. The news has reached the senate and the senators and other cabinet
members are already talking about and will implement the SOGIE equality bill.

So what is the SOGIE equality bill? The SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression) Equality Bill,
also known as the Anti-Discrimination Bill (ADB), is a proposed legislation of the Congress of the Philippines. It is
intended to prevent various economic and public accommodation-related acts of discrimination against people based
on their sexual orientation. gender identity or expression.

The current versions of the bill are championed by Kaka Bag-ao, Geraldine Roman, and Tom Villarin in the House of
Representatives, and Risa Hontiveros in the Senate. The version in the House of Representative passed its third
reading most recently on September 20, 2017, but died in the Senate. It has been refiled for the 18th Congress. The
SOGIE Equality Bill is meant to fulfill the rights set forth in the 1987 constitution, particularly the equal protection
clause. It recognizes the LGBTQ++ as equals and ensures that their rights are protected as much as everyone's is.

PROS of SOGIE Bill

Wide selection of job opportunities as the LGBTQ++ members would not be limited to a certain role just because of
their sexual preferences.
Most of the LGBTQ++ members are being turned down for job openings because of their sexual/gender identities
or preferences. With this bill, it will give the queer people an opportunity to have jobs.

To be able to provide fairness and equality that for discriminating a person based on their sexual preference.
Most people are being discriminated against because of the way they dress and their sexuality and gender identity.

CONS of SOGIE bill

A lot of the LGBT community can use the law as an excuse or threat to other people that would not agree on their
terms.
The SOGIE Bill would undermine academic and religious freedom.

With all that being said, as a member of the LGBTQ++ myself, I am in favor of the SOGIE bill.. This issue may have
divided Filipinos, but at the very least. I hope that we can all agree that the experience of Gretchen Diez only
demonstrated the urgent need for the passage of the SOGIE equality bill in the country. Her experience is a call for the
LGBTQIA+ communities and our allies to be vigilant and proactive in advocating for the SOGIE equality bill because
we LGBTQIA+ individuals do not need tolerance nor acceptance. We need our civil rights. Let us also take this
opportunity to educate people about the experience of transgender people and campaign for the protection of
transgender people against violence. Human rights are transgender rights and transgender rights are human rights.
There are other problems in our country that the government should address.