WHAT IS SOGIE EQUALITY BILL?
The SOGIE (The Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
and Expression) Equality Bill, also known as the anti-discrimination bill,
seeks to protect individuals against sex and gender-based discrimination, which
include denial of access to public services, health service, employment, and
education.
In May 2019, the SOGIE
Equality Bill officially became the longest-running bill under the Senate
interpellation period in Philippine history.
After trans woman Gretchen Custodio Diez was arrested
Tuesday, August 13, recounted how she was prevented from using a women's restroom in a Cubao mall in
Quezon City.
She hopes that President Rodrigo Duterte will make SOGIE
Bill one of his priority bills.
She added that the Commission will provide the LGBT
community a ‘concrete representative’.
“Naiintindihan po ng pangulo na ang LGBT po ngayon ay hindi
na minority, part na po tayo ng mga taong nagsusulong ng karapatang pantao, may
boses na po kami sa lipunan (The president understand that the LGBT community
no longer belongs to the minority, we are already a part of those who push for
human rights, our voices are already being heard),” said Diez in an interview
with GMA News.
“Kasalukuyan na pong nirereview ito ng pangulo at hoping na maisulong nya ito bilang priority bill (The president is currently reviewing it and we are hoping that he will make it his priority bill).”
Presidential Spokesperson Sal Panelo earlier assured that Durtete respects the rights of the LGBT community.
“I remember the President expressed support for the LGBT.” Panelo said.
Several Senators express their support to the said Bill
including Sen. Risa Hontiveros.
According to Sen. Risa Hontiveros
“What happened to Gretchen is
unacceptable because the mall wanted her to violate how she self-identifies.
The incident exposed her to harassment & abuse that could have happened if
forced to enter the men’s CR. Iihi ka lang sana, pero dahil transgender person
ka, kulong. Unfair.”
Also Sen. Imee Marcos and Sen. Bong Go immediately
manifested their support for the SOGIE equality bill following Hontiveros'
speech.
"We are all equal under the law and it is our duty in
this institution to ensure that all Filipinos, regardless of their age, sex,
religion, ethnicity or gender orientation are treated equally and justly,"
Go said.
But not everyone in the Senate supports this.
During the election campaign,
then-senatorial candidate Manny Pacquiao calls same-sex couples “mas masahol pa sa hayop (worse than animals)” in a viral video interview by Bilang
Pilipino.
Sen. President Vicente Sotto III
said “Senate
could pass an anti-discrimination bill but not one that is focused only on
members of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer)
community. Anti-discrimination on persons, pwede. Pero focused on gays, which
the SOGIE bill is, and religious and academic freedom impeded plus smuggling of
same sex marriage? No chance!,”
Senator Nancy
Binay also expressed
hope that discussions on discrimination should cover everybody and not just
gender.
“I mean for example ako, I’ve been
discriminated (because) of my color. Does that mean that I need to file a bill
to protect people like me?” she asked.
“So sana ‘yung discussion natin when it comes to discrimination should be more universal, should be more encompassing,” she added.
Instead of
passing the Sogie bill, Binay suggested to just incorporate it to the
Anti-Discrimination measure that has been filed in the Senate.
Facts over Fake news in SOGIE BILL
- its supposed intention to promote marriage equality – which it does not, since the bill does not at all touch on this issue
- its supposed intent to penalize people who practice religious or academic freedom – which it does not
- its supposed intention to dictate churches on their teachings or hiring process – which it does not
- its supposed intent to allow gender-markers to be changed in birth certificates – which it does not
- and its supposed intent to violate the rights of straight people – again, which it does not
Instead, the bill
eyes to:
- protect LGBT persons from discrimination
- Give equal access to LGBT persons to employment, education and social services
- Promote programs for non-discrimination and diversity in schools and workplaces
- Penalize employers who discriminate against LGBT persons
- Provide programs to protect LGBT kids in schools
What do people think about The SOGIE Equality BILL?
A lot of people are against and in favor of
the said bill. But what do people think about this?
I dig some comments/opinions from random people in social
media.
THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST OF THE SAID BILL
“No to SOGIE bill. We already have laws about anti
discrimination laws, akala siguro non existent kaya hindi ginagamit. Sa dami ng
problema ng bansa, hindi na dapat ito umabot ng senado, kaso pinatulan agad ng
mga naghahangad na mare-elect na senadora. palibhasa binabaon niya sa alaala ng
tao na pro Maute siya. Bury an issue with an issue, tsk tsk tsk. Antagal ng
next election, bwiset.” -anonymous
“Tama si Sen. Sotto. Isipin rin po natin
ang mga taong hindi kabilang sa lgbt group na yan. Marami po tayong
masasagasaan. Ang batas dapat ay patas at walang sapawan sa isat isa.”
-anonymous
“Deuteronomy 22:5 King James Version
(KJV) 5 The woman shall not wear that which
pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all
that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.” -anonymous
The house speaker for good governance and moral transformation, claimed that the bill undermines the role of parents and threatens academic freedom.
He also alleged that the proposed law imperils freedom of speech and religion, saying it will penalize public speech deemed discriminatory to the LGBTQ community.
"What happens to a Christian like me, and to the majority of the people in this chamber, if we are to be threatened by punishment every time we share our Bible-based beliefs on matters of transgenders and homosexuals?" he added
THOSE WHO ARE IN FAVOR OF THE BILL
Few celebrities manifested their support to LGBTQ+.
“We are all the same. We are all human beings who deserve a chance and equal opportunities in life. May it be for work, life or love we should be given equal rights”. – Anne Curtis
“LGBTQ+ rights
are HUMAN rights – mga karapatang pangkaligtasan at kalayaan mula sa
diskriminasyon, karahasan at pagmamalupit batay sa pagkakakilanlan. Religion is
never an excuse to hate, put down or act indifferent to the suffering of
others. I believe God is love, and I will treat everyone – no matter who they
are, to the best of my ability, with love,” – Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray
“Equality is
everything. I am #ComingOut4Equality to support the SOGIE Equality Bill to
protect the rights and welfare of the LGBTQ+ community. A little goes a long
way. Our support means the world” – Heart Evangelista
I interviewed
some students from different universities on what they can say about the SOGIE
Equality Bill.
NIVINN RONE (LAW
STUDENT FROM DE LASALLE UNIVERSITY DASMARINAS)
1.) What can you say about The SOGIE Bill?
Agree ka ba sa law na yun?
I oppose the passage of the SOGIE Bill, We
already have existing laws and policies which protects the rights and welfare
of each individual, I believe that gender identity is a matter of personal,
cognitive choice and not biological.
People are born either masculine or
feminine with reproductive organs corresponding to their actual biological sex
and I firmly believe that one's choices and decisions in determining their
gender is a fruit of their own upbringing or in other words, the environment
around them. And the Republic Act No. 7877 or the “Anti-Sexual Harassment Act
of 1995" firmly protects individuals regardless of gender identity.
Despite my opposition to the bill, I believe that a law surrounding
Anti-Discrimination should be passed, but not only limited to members of the
LGBTQ+ community, but to the general population, similar to the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 as proposed by then US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, aiming to
outlaw a forms of discrimination, on race, color, sex, religion or national
origin. I believe that a more general bill should be proposed. I am not in
favor of enacting the Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity or Expression
(SOGIE) Equality Act. First, I would like to define the meaning of Equality.
According to Standford Encyclopedia of
Philosophy, the term "equal" signifies correspondence between a group
of different objects, persons processes or circumstances that have the same
qualities in at least one respect, but not all aspects. Equality needs to be
distinguished from similarity---the concept of approximate comparability.
Similarity is looking the same while
equality is being the same. Second, I would like to clarify that it is not my
intention to discredit the efforts of the LGBTQIA+ when I know they work hard
to change themselves just to fit as a man or a woman in our eyes.
However, on my perspective, this community
can only be labeled as "similar" to a physique and feelings from what
gender identity they characterized themselves. The problem with the SOGIE bill
is not them labeling themselves as equal to naturally born people, since the
Philippines even without any statistics included, accepts them in the society.
To make this statement verified, in a global survey titled, "The Global
Divide on Homosexuality" conducted by the US-based Pew Research showed
that 73% of Filipinos approved that Homosexuality should be accepted by
society.
Actually, I, myself is not bothered as
being labeled equal to them. However, to say that women do not have any right
to be offended when "transgenders" use restrooms is not a good point
of view to pass the SOGIE Bill. On Section 4 of the bill, it states that the
act of denying a person to use establishments, facilities, utilities or
services including housing, open to the general public on the basis of sexual
orientation or gender identity expression is a form of Discriminatory
Practices, whom I strongly oppose.
For instance, a man may identify himself as
bisexual and try to enter a woman's restroom. How can we know his true
intentions if the bill itself prohibits a person for an examination to identify
his sexual orientation or gender identity or expression? (Section 4 - I).
Does it call for a discriminatory action as
well? We shall protect these people from abuses but we must also never forget
the values and safety of our fellow. A bill should be progressive and must not
leave anyone behind. In this case, if the bill will be passed the rights of men
and women can be abused. Lastly, one must know that men and women are also part
of our community where their privacy should also be prioritized as citizens of
our republic.
Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation or
Expression should not be a ground to file a discriminatory bill that is only
specified to their community. Discrimination comes in many forms and not only
exclusive to gender. There are existing laws in the Philippines that protect
our rights from discrimination and must be strengthened for the welfare of the
whole public and not only to a specific group. You need to be free from any
form of discrimination as a human and citizen of this republic, not only
because you are gay.
2.) Paano kung naipasa na yung law at yung
mismong mga bakla na hindi transgender ay gusto pumasok sa cr ng mga babae, tas
may nag reklamo na babae. Discrimination padin ba tawag dun?
Oo as long as na implement na yung law
which is dapat sunduin pwede na kasuhan yung complainant. It's just that LGBT
people are the most vulnerable to SOGIE-based discrimination, which is why it's
important for this bill to be passed mostly sa LGBT aware naman tayo na a lot
of straight people like the majority, think that this is actually gonna impede
on whatever it is that they're experiencing, but it's actually more of creating
inclusivity.
Furthermore, when you give them equal
rights, there is no taking from you or kung kanino man. There is no lessening
of you. No one is any less a man or a woman. Ang alam ko if ever na mapasa na
yung bill gagawan talaga sila ng sariling comfort rooms eh so di na nila
kailangan pang pumasok sa pang ladies cr.
3.) Ano masasabi mo about kay Gretchen Diez
na gusto pumasok sa politika?
No. Wag na niya balakin and sana hindi sya
payagan. Wala siyang background sa politics which is if you’re running for a
position it is a must, kasi paano ka makakapagpasa ng bill eh wala ka ngang
alam. Maybe he’s not into money baka for power and influence lang siya kaya
gusto niya tumakbo. Hindi siya concern sa LGBT mas mahalaga sa kanya yung
benefit na makukuha niya.
1.) What can u say about gretchen diez and
sa sogie bill na ipinaglalaban nya? Agree ka ba na maipasa yung law na yun?
Of course not. With all due respect , I
disagree to sogie bill for variety of reasons:
1. Religious reasons , God loves the LGBT
community but homosexuality is a sin (1 cor 6: 9-10) , so spiritually
speaking, it is immoral . God only made male and female.
2. Women's privacy and security. For
women's safety , Males are not and will never be allowed to enter women's
toilet because of the risk of "paninilip , panghihipo, pang mamanyak"
because men may impose as Transgender and enter women's comfort room then
harass the women.
3. Respect and equality can never be
expressed in men entering women's toilet or changing pronouns for the sake of
LGBT. SOGIE bill may step on Straight and heterosexual people's privacy,
ideology and principle in their own lives.
4. It is impractical. It is because lots of
adjustment must be made for the sake of irrelevant issue rather than taking
concern to more important issues like the Farmers who are dying in hunger in
the Philippines.
2.) Agree ka ba sa sinabi ng isang Political
Science student from DLSU na "Hindi na kailangan ng Sogie Bill dahil may
human rights naman na batas"
Yep , I agree. LGBT are humans and we are
all humans as well. The fact na we are humans make it enough for us to be
protected under human rights.
3.) Ano masasabi mo about kay Gretchen Diez
na gusto pumasok sa politika?
It's irrelevant. His reason is too shallow.
Just because he got offended in a comfort room where he shouldn't be made him
qualified to run for politics? He's not qualified. Does he have a background
and know law? This is why the Philippines senate and Congress often fail to
create laws and could not serve the country well. The senators, They are not
that qualified. Everyone can run for senator but not every is qualified.
RAY VILLACORTE (STUDENT FROM PUP MANILA)
1.) What can u say about the sogie bill?
Agree ka ba sa law na yun?
I strongly believe that passing the SOGIE
Bill will not only benefit the LGBTQIAP+ community, but also the general mass
public as well. This bill protects anyone experiencing any form of
discrimination die to sexual orientation, gender expression, and identity (like
what the bill suggests).
Sexual orientation is different from Gender Identity
and Expression. One might be gay, but the way he expresses himself is
masculine. One might be heterosexual but he moves very feminine. Each
individual is unique; one person has a distinct set of characteristics and
demeanor that is different from another. And that's why this bill needs to be
passed as it will ensure the betterment of the society we currently live in.
2.) Ano
masasabi mo sa comment ng netizen na
"Pinili mong maging iba, taliwas
sa kondisyon kung paano ka pinanganak. Walang pumilit sayo, hindi ka
pinuwersang mamuhay ng ganyan. Ikaw ang nag desisyon na gawin yan., Ikaw ang
pumili. Ngayon, bakit kailangan ibang tao ang mag adjust at mag adapt? Bakit
kailangan mag suffer at maapektuhan ang pamumuhay ng marami para sa mabuhay ka
ng komportable? Hindi equality at acceptance gusto mo. Special treatment at the
expense of others."
Okay so first of all, sa netizen na yan,
she's being a big bigot. "Pinili mong maging iba, taliwas sa kondisyon
kung paano ka pinanganak. Walang pumilit sayo, hindi ka pinuwersang mamuhay ng
ganyan. Ikaw ang nag desisyon na gawin yan., Ikaw ang pumili." First off,
being gay, lesbian, trans is not a CHOICE. People don't just wake up one day
and say "I choose to be gay". It's a long term process of
self-discovery.
"Ngayon, bakit kailangan ibang tao ang mag adjust at mag
adapt? Bakit kailangan mag sufer at maapektuhan ang pamumuhay ng marami para sa
mabuhay ka ng konportable?" I get the point here pero to the point of saying
na "magsuffer"? If the netizen provided actual evidence on how people
would suffer if the sogie bill is passed, I would've understood why.
"Hindi equality at acceptance gusto mo. Special treatment at the expense
of others." How is passing the sogie bill special treatment at the expense
of others? Just like in the second statement, how would she prove that the
sogie bill would harm the mass public?
This comment clearly comes from an
unjust reasoning and judgement. It is illogical. This just proves that people
who cannot accept SOGIE are uneducated about the said bill and don't see the
positive effects of the bill yet.
3.) Naniniwala ka din ba na sa patuloy na paglalaban
ni Gretchen Diez ay woman rights na ang tinatapakan nya?
Gretchen Diez... I can't say much about
her. But if what she's fighting for is right, then I think she should push
through. I read some reports that she's planning to run for a position in the
government, and it could seem like an opportunist move because others claim she
has no credentials, but I would like to reserve my judgement until we actually
see her in the office. If that happens, that's the only time I can comment on
her actions.
------
In my point of view, I am not against
LGBTQ+, I respect their opinion/ beliefs on what they’re fighting for, but the
SOGIE Equality bill is not needed. I agree
to Sen. Nancy Binay when she said that the law should be more universal, it should cover everybody and not just the gender
if ever the bill is gonna pass the Senate. I am also in favor of what Ms.
Nivinn Rone said during the interview. We don’t need the SOGIE Equality Bill
because there’s already an anti-discrimination law that people think is non-existent.
In conclusion, I can’t
really say what will happen if ever the bill pass the senate. I don’t want to
judge if it isn’t implemented yet. Cause I wouldn’t know if it will give
special treatment to other people or will it harm the mass public. I am glad that
I chose this topic because I learned a lot from it.
At first, I don’t agree to
the SOGIE Equality Bill because it is called an anti-discrimination law, but it
is more focused on the LGBTQ+ which I understand because they’re the ones who get
discriminated a lot. But Gretchen Diez advocating it and saying that she’s
willing to run the politics as a representative for their community which
reflects negatively to the law that she’s fighting for.
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