Repuhlika ng Pilipinas

K o m i s y o t i n g K a r a p a t a n g Patitao n g P i l i p i n a s
(Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines)

GENDER OMBUD ADVISORY

NHRIsfor LGBTI Inclusion in the Sustainable

Development Goals

CHR A2016-003

T h e U N ' s recently adopted Sustainable D e v e l o p m e n t Goals (SDGs) are

a p o w e r f u l c o m m i t m e n t t o reduce poverty, achieve equality a n d p r o m o t
p e a c e f u l a n d i n c l u s i v e societies^. T h e S D G s f o c u s i n t e n t l y o n m a r g i n a l i
a n d v u l n e r a b l e groups^. T h e r e i s a large emphasis t h r o u g h o u t t h e d o c u m e
o n achieving equality, e m p o w e r m e n t o f a l l citizens, inclusiveness
'leaving n o one behind'3. I f this global effort is t o succeed for all p
m u s t include L G B T I people's experiences4.

NHRIs and LGBTIs

W h i l e n o t explicitly p r o v i d e d u n d e r t h e 17 S D G s , t h e goal o f t h e S D
of 'leaving n o one behind,' resonates the universality of h u m a n rights an
the right o f every person, including L G B T I s t o b e part o f the develop
agenda. A s representatives of a National H u m a n Rights Institution ( N H R I
f r o m t h e A s i a a n d t h e Pacific, w e b r i n g w i t h us t h e voices o f N a t i o n a l H u
Rights Institutions ( N H R I ) mandated to protect and promote h u m a n right
of all persons, a n d as such, m a n y N H R I s all over the w o r l d have taken
stand i n the pursuit o f the h u m a n rights o f L G B T I . Just recently, a grou
N H R I s f r o m Australia, M o n g o h a , Nepal, N e w Zealand, Greece a n d t h
Philippines issued a joint statement i n support for the recently passed
H u m a n Rights Council resolution o n the "Protection against violence a
discrimination based o n sexual orientation and gender identity." T h e A
Pacific F o r u m o n N a t i o n a l H u m a n Rights I n s t i t u t i o n s ( A P F ) o n t h e oth
h a n d has developed a Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Manuals an
r e m a i n s c o m m i t t e d t o w a r d s advancing t h e rights o f L G B T I , the A P F has al
partnered with the United Nations Development Program ( U N D P ) to fund a

' https://vmw.ouM>0Wihtemational.org/blog/united-nations-en
^ http://www.ai/mMi^ce.org/news/598-lgbti-rights-not-explicit-in-sdgs-but-all-is-not-l^
' Supra, note V If/
'' Supra, note 1 /
^ http;//www.asiapacificforum.net/resources/manual-sogi-and-sex-characteristics/

Karapatang Pantao; Likas sa Atin, Tungkulin Natin

Commonwealth Avenue, CP. Complex, Diliman 1101 Quezon City Philippines
Tel. Nos. 927-01 72 • 928-2018 • 928-5655
range o f activities a i m e d t o increase knowledge a n d cooperation betw
N H R I s a n d CSOs i n r e l a t i o n t o L G B T a n d intersex i n t h e A s i a Pacific regi

W i t h its obligation under t h e Paris Principles t o protect a n d prom

the h u m a n rights o f a l l individuals w i t h o u t prejudice o r discriminati
National H u m a n Rights Institutions are i n a position t o pursue inclusio
L G B T I i n the Sustainable Development Agenda.

Commissions Efforts for LGBTI

E v e n prior t o t h e adoption o f the Sustainable Development Goals

2015, the C o m m i s s i o n already focused o n the rights of L G B T I s i n its m a n d a
of protection, p r o m o t i o n , a n d issuance o f policy advisories to
government. This has been strengthened with t h e adoption o f our Gend
O m b u d Guidelines i n 20157 w h i c h provide legal assistance a n d investigati
of violations of h u m a n rights of persons w i t h diverse S O G I E t h r o u g h adopt
p r o t o c o l s f o r L G B T I cases. I n t e r m s o f legislative a d v o c a c y a n d o u r r o
advising government, t h e Commission h a s convened t h e Stop t h
Discrimination Coalition aimed a t pushing f o r t h e passage of
Comprehensive A n t i - D i s c r i m i n a t i o n Bill^. Partnerships w i t h Civil Socie
Organizations w e r e also forged for the p r o m o t i o n o f L G B T I rights. B u t m u
remains t o b e done. W i t h t h e adoption o f the SDGs, N H R I s a n d CSOs a
equipped w i t h a tool f o r advocacy, o n e that 193 governments a l l over
world has committed to.

SDGs and LGBTIs:

Regionally a n d domestically, L G B T I ' s face m a n y challenges. I n t

Philippines, t h e largely Christian, patriarchal a n d h e t e r o n o r m a t i v e soc
has posed a challenge i n passing laws protecting L G B T I s - the An
Discrimination Bill included which h a s been pending i n Congress for almo
three decades. Violence a n d d i s c r i m i n a t i o n against L G B T I s continue w i
r e p o r t s o f h a t e k i l l i n g s a n d d i s c r i m i n a t i o n i n fields o f h e a l t h , e d u c
social protection a n d i n e m p l o y m e n t . T h e absence o f g o v e r n m e n t generate
data o n L G B T I h a s rendered L G B T I invisible t o policy makers a n d m a n
g o v e r n m e n t d u t y bearers. I n t h e region, t h e s h r i n k i n g spaces for L G B T I h
been largely reported w i t h t h e A S E A N S O G I Caucus openly calling f o r t
protection o f L G B T I h u m a n rights defenders a t risk a n d f o r the creatio
safe places f o r L G B T I a n d h u m a n rights defenders. Calls w e r e also m a d e
the facilitation o f regional dialogues a n d support f o r h u m a n ri
institutions and (APF and S E A N F ) and CSOs involved i n L G B T I work.

U s i n g t h e S D G s a n d i t s call t o 'leave n o o n e b e h i n d ' , w e c a n f u

address the challenges facing L G B T I advocacy a n d m a k e u s e o f the goals
advocacy tools i n pushing for L G B T I rights i n policy and development agen
of States.

^ Principle^^j^^g to the Status of National Institutions (The Paris Principles) adopted by UN General Assembly, National in
promoti/hM^protection of human rights, UN Doc A/RES/48/134 (20 December 1993).
'http://^^!»^.173.74/chr/wp-content/uploads/CHR-Gender-Ombud-Guidelines.pdf
'http://tbiittemet.ohchr.org/_layout/treatybodyextemal/Download.aspx?symbolno=INT%2fCEDAW%2fIFN%2fPHL%2f24271&Lang=en

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 S D G 1 , allows us to link discrimination against L G B T I w i t h poverty a n
to p u s h for inclusion o f L G B T I s i n social protection policies, address L G
e m p l o y m e n t d i s c r i m i n a t i o n a n d address the needs of u r b a n poor L G B T I s . I
the Philippines, G A L A N G , a n L B T organization conducted reviews o f soci
protection pohcies a n d labor legislations 9, particularly looking a t L
exclusion. T h e y have p o i n t e d o u t for example, t h e h e t e r o n o r m a t i v e polic
embedded i n the current laws that systematically exclude m i n o r i t y grou
f r o m g o v e r n m e n t h e a l t h insurance^o a n d w h i c h subject vulnerable sector
further marginalization. T h e y have also p o i n t e d the need to ensure that o
equally i m p o r t a n t social protection policies include o r b e responsive
L G B T I sector These efforts are concrete starting points i n m a k i n g a c
under S D G i and to engage the State i n review and a m e n d m e n t of laws a
policies t h a t exclude L G B T I .

S D G 3 ensures healthy lives a n d promotes well-being for all a n d targ

u n i v e r s a l access t o s e x u a l a n d r e p r o d u c t i v e h e a l t h services a n d u n i v e
h e a l t h care, t h i s i s a n o p e n i n g t o h i g h l i g h t t h e lack o f awarenes
sensitivity o f health w o r k e r s , the inability to address the needs o f L G B T
h o w these affect a v a i l a b i l i t y a n d accessibility o f h e a l t h services. C u r r
protocols o n h a n d l i n g cases o f P L H I V i s b e i n g developed b y t h e P h i l i p
N G O Council o n H e a l t h Population t o guide health workers dealing w i t
P L H I V . But this i s not enough. T h e Commission's National Inquiry o
Reproductive H e a l t h revealed the insensitivity a n d lack o f awareness
h e a l t h service providers o f t h e reproductive h e a l t h needs o f L G B T I s a n d
refusal t o provide needed medical procedures. These highlight the need
address t h e stigma a n d d i s c r i m i n a t i o n experienced b y L G B T I i n accessi
h e a l t h services. T h e y also r e v e a l t h e n e e d t o p u s h f o r safe spaces a n d se
that address wider health needs o f L G B T I , for t r a i n i n g of health workers
services providers, a n d f o r t h e passage o f legislation prohib
d i s c r i m i n a t i o n i n t h e d e l i v e r y o f h e a l t h services. A d d i t i o n a l l y , a n o t h e r st
of G A L A N G points to the need of looking into wellbeing of L G B T I s i n gener
as i t is o n e s p h e r e t h a t h a s o f t e n b e e n neglected.

G o a l 4 calls f o r o n i n c l u s i v e a n d e q u i t a b l e q u a l i t y e d u c a t i o n f o r
provides a p l a t f o r m i n highlighting h o w L G B T I s a r e left behind d u e
discrimination a n d stigma manifested i n buUjdng a n d restrictive policies
the field of education. Cases of discrimination a n d child abuse have been
w i t h a n d i n v e s t i g a t e d b y t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o t h i s effect s h o w i n g h
discrimination and stigma impinge and curtail the enjoyment o f inclusi
a n d q u a l i t y education. F o r this goal, w e can call u p o n t h e State t o p r o
a n d ensure n o n - d i s c r i m i n a t i o n a n d acceptance i n schools, the engagemen
w i t h educational institutions to include L G B T I rights i n their curriculum
t h e n e e d t o e n s u r e access t o r e m e d i e s i n case o f v i o l a t i o n s . I n t h e P h i l i p

G A L A N G , "Social Protection Policies and Urban Poor LBTs in the Philippines", http://www.galangphilippines.org/social-pr
and-urban-poor-lbts-in-the-philippines-investigating-gender-and sexualitv-norms-in-social-legislation-and-familv-law/; G
Filipino LBTs Cope with Economic Disadvantage", http://www.galangphilippines.org/how-filipino-lbts-cope-with-economic-di
^° G A L A N G cites National Health Insurance Act 1995
G A L A N G identified the following domestic laws: Solo Parents' Welfare Act or Republic Act No. 8972; Social Security A
Republic Act No. 8282; Philippine Government Service Insurance System Act of 1997 or Republic Act No. 8291; and Home De
Mutual Fund Law of 2009 or Republic Act No. 9679.
"GALANG Philippines Affirms Love: PAgmamahal sa Bayan at Sarili". http://www.galangphilippines.org/galang-philippines-
pagmamahal-sa-bayan-at-sarili/

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w e b u i l d o n existing A n t i - B u U y i n g Policies o f the State, w o r k i n g towa
institutionalization of such measures even i n higher education.

Goal 5 is o n achieving gender equality and the e m powerment of

w o m e n a n d girls, the goal targets ending all f o r m s o f d i s c r i m i n a t i o n ag
w o m e n a n d girls everywhere a n d e l i m i n a t i n g all f o r m s of violence against
w o m e n a n d girls. T h e goal provides a n o p p o r t u n i t y to l o o k into the m u l t i
a n d intersecting f o r m s of discrimination a n d violence experienced by lesb
b i a n d t r a n s w o m e n b e c a u s e o f t h e i r L G B T status a n d gender^s. S t u d i e s
funded by OutRight have been undertaken o n the violence experienced b
LGBTs i n the region. Recommendations have been made including
addressing h a r m f u l gender norms, the establishment o f protocols a
engaging w i t h t h e s e c u r i t y a n d j u s t i c e sectors. T h i s is a n o p p o r t u n i t y t
for data o n violence against LBTs, establishment o f protocols
m e c h a n i s m s to address violence a n d t o ensure effective redress m e c h a n i s m

G o a l 10 a i m s t o r e d u c e i n e q u a l i t y w i t h i n a n d a m o n g c o u n t r i e s , a n
a i m s i n c l u s i o n o f a l l i r r e s p e c t i v e o f age, sex, d i s a b i l i t y , race, e t h n i c i t y
a n d religion, economic or other status. T h e r e t e n t i o n o f 'other status'
L G B T I and provides an advocacy tool towards addressing discriminator
policies a n d practices t h a t result t o or perpetuate inequality. Campaigns
the passage of a n A n t i - D i s c r i m i n a t o r y Law, the Gender Recognition La
Marriage Equality a n d other legislations p r o m o t i n g the h u m a n rights
L G B T I can fall w i t h i n the p u r v i e w o f this goal. As the c o u n t r y pushes for
p a s s a g e o f a n A n t i - D i s c r i m i n a t i o n L a w , a n d as w e p u s h f o r t h e r e p e a l o f
criminalizing L G B T I s i n the region, S D G l o will be one o f the basis for
calls.

G o a l 11 a i m s f o r c i t i e s a n d h u m a n s e t t l e m e n t s w h i c h a r e i n c l u s i v e , s
resilient a n d sustainable. D i s c r i m i n a t i o n a n d stigma against L G B T I s a
affect availability o f h o u s i n g o f L G B T I s a n d t h e i r r i s k t o homelessness.
Commission's inquiry o n the right to housing entitled Rights under
Rubble exposed h o w t h e implementation o f the Country's Urban
Development a n d H o u s i n g Act ( U D H A ) of 1992 discriminated against the
most vulnerable. This has been affirmed by the submission of G A L A N G
where they posit that while U D H A i s seemingly gender neutral, i
exclusionary i n practice. Accounts o f lesbian headed households re
systematic de-prioritization o f evicted i n f o r m a l settlers, revealing o
heteronormative lens by w h i c h the government excludes non-traditiona
households o r families, T h i s goal provides opportunity t o ho
g o v e r n m e n t s i n t o account t h r o u g h reviews o f exclusionary policies a n d l
w i t h underlying heteronormative n o r m s i n their implementation. I t provid
opportunity of engaging w i t h the State towards ensuring non-discriminato
provision of housing options for LGBTs.

G o a l 16 o n t h e o t h e r h a n d p u s h e s f o r i n c l u s i v e s o c i e t i e s f o r s u s t a i n
d e v e l o p m e n t , p r o v i s i o n o f access t o j u s t i c e f o r a l l a n d b u i l d i n g effe

http://www.stonewall.org.uk/sites/default/files/sdg-guide_2.pdf
http://www.outrighdatemational.org/content/violence-againts-lbt-people-asia
http://vww.Qbtrigmintemational.org/content/addressing-police-abuse-toward-lgbti-people-philippines

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accountable a n d inclusive i n s t i t u t i o n s a t all levels. T h i s goal i s signif
addressing violence a n d discrimination against L G B T I s particularly the n
to address hate crimes, e n s u r i n g L G B T I sensitive security sector a
j u d i c i a r y t o w a r d s access t o j u s t i c e f o r all. I n t h e r e g i o n , w i t h t h e s h r
spaces for CSOs w o r k i n g a n d advocating for L G B T I s , this goal r e m i n d s Sta
o f its c o m m i t m e n t t o w a r d s inclusive societies a n d accountable i n s t i t u t i
I n the Philippines, O u t R i g h t already began engaging a n d training the secu
sectors^^, t h e s e e f f o r t s h a v e t o c o n t i n u e a n d s h o u l d n o t o n l y b e l i m i t e d t
security sector, b u t also t h e o t h e r agencies o f t h e c r i m i n a l justice system
is a lesson l e a r n e d i n t h e case o f a t r a n s w o m a n w h o w a s a v i c t i m o f
crime b y a n American serviceman, while the Courts ruled the perpetra
guilty, the crime was downgraded t o homicide instead o f m u r d e r w i t h
Court's accepting the perpetrator's 'transphobia' as m i t i g a t i n g circumst
I n t h e field o f w o r k p l a c e i n c l u s i v i t y R a i n b o w R i g h t s , a n L G B T I C
conducted a baseline m a p p i n g of inclusivity of Philippine Workplace sett
their study served as take o f f point towards t h e p r o m o t i o n o f
d i s c r i m i n a t i o n i n workplaces a n d engaging t h e private sector t o w a
inclusivity.

Goal 17 a i m s t o revitalize t h e global partnership f o r sustai

development. T h i s goal continues the p r o m i s i n g practices t h a t t h e L G B
m o v e m e n t have advanced f o r equality, social justice a n d h u m a n righ
protection. T h e s h r i n k i n g space w e are witnessing f o r L G B T I c o m m u n i t i
can b e tackled i f w e multilaterally collaborate i n addressing discrimin
a n d inequalities still being faced b y marginalized a n d at-risk groups
defining vote o f the U N H u m a n Rights Council last m o n t h , a mandate h
been set u p t o appoint a n independent expert o n the protection aga
violence and discrimination based o n sexual orientation, and gender ident
T h i s special procedures o f the U N can significantly add o n t o a n d a m p l i f y
partnerships t o m a k e even m o r e visible t h e challenges faced b y L G
c o m m u n i t i e s a n d find s o l u t i o n s t o g e t h e r .

Global Conference and the challenge of SDGs

W h a t w e have discussed are just brief outlines o f h o w the SDGs

support L G B T I inclusivity a n d the current efforts domestically and region
that can serve as take-off points i n the campaign. T h e list i s b y n o
exhaustive a n d w e a r e sure that d u r i n g the course o f this conference
advocates gathered h e r e w o u l d be able t o strategize f u r t h e r i n using t h e
towards L G B T I inclusion. There are opportunities for engagement, and m a n
of those w h o are attending the Global Conference are i n the position to m
these opportunities available i n o u r country a n d i n our region. I n purs
L G B T I inclusion i n the SDGs, m a y our country and our region come to m i n d

W i t h all these opportunities for engagement a n d using the h u m a n

rights base approach i n dealing w i t h t h e SDGs, i t i s o u r collective task
vigilant a n d to ensure t h a t the current development agenda do n o t leave
o n e behjl^d -^^specifically t h o s e n o t m e n t i o n e d , t h o s e i n t h e m a r g i n s

1^ http://' iutrightintemational.org/content/addressing-pohce-abuse-toward-lgbti-people-philippines
development a n d h u m a n rights discourse, a n d those whose protection hav
been actively opposed a n d resisted. W e have to collectively m a k e use o f
S D G s as a n a d v o c a c y t o o l i n t h e n a t i o n a l , r e g i o n a l a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l l e v
r e m i n d i n g and m a k i n g governments accountable to their c o m m i t m e n t s . W e
likewise have to be equally supportive of endeavors w o r k i n g towards this

I s s u e d t h i s 19^^ d a y o f D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 6 , Q u e z o n C i t y , P h i l i p p i n e s .