Battling for Equality: Advocating for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Rights in the 20th Congress
🏭 Philippine Politics: The Long Road to Gender Equality 🏭
Hey there! Have a seat, let's discuss the current state of gender-inclusive policies in the Philippines. Starting next week, June 27th at 7 pm, join our community show, Be The Good, for an eye-opening conversation with Representatives Percival Cendaña from Akbayan Partylist and Geraldine Roman from Bataan 1st District. They'll be dishing on the challenges and opportunities for SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression) equality and the rights of the queer community in the Philippines. 🌈🏳️🌈
🤔 SOGIE Equality Bill: A 25-Year Old Hurdle 🤔
You might ask, "Where are we with this 25-year-old obstacle, the SOGIE Equality Bill?" Well, despite some progress, the bill has been stuck in the House and Senate since the 11th Congress, back in 2000 when it was first filed by late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago and then-Akbayan Representative Etta Rosales.
🔄 Legislative Loop 🔄
In the 19th Congress, the House approved a version of the bill at the committee level, creating hope among supporters that it was on its way to becoming a law. But in the Senate, the bill filed by Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros was sent back to the committee on rules after a speech by Senator Joel Villanueva, stating that religious groups were not consulted during the discussion.
🧙♂️ Religious Objections 🧙♂️
Villanueva is a part of the religious group Jesus Is Lord Movement, founded by his father, CIBAC Party-list Representative Eddie Villanueva, who has been a barrier in moving forward the SOGIE bill in the House.
🗣️ Chances in the 20th Congress 🗣️
As we approach the 20th Congress, the question remains, "What progress will the SOGIE Equality Bill make with the new composition of senators and representatives?" While some, like Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino, have expressed their support, others like Tito Sotto and Rodante Marcoleta are against it.
💬 Get Involved 💬
Got questions for Representatives Cendaña and Roman? Send them to the Gender Equality public chat room on our website by 9 am, on Tuesday, June 24. Find the room, brimming with Pride and champions of SOGIE equality, here.
Stay tuned for next week's Be The Good episode! 📺🌐📡✨
📚 Extra Bits: SOGIE Equality Struggle 📚
Advocates are hopeful that the renewed push in the 20th Congress could finally lead to the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill. The bill aims to provide comprehensive protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression and bridge the protection gap as only a fraction of Filipinos are currently covered by local anti-discrimination ordinances.
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and LGBTQIA+ groups continue to urge legislators to prioritize the bill, as transgender individuals face violence, and the struggle for LGBTQIA+ rights and equality persists in the country. Despite being the longest-pending piece of legislation in Philippine history, advocates remain optimistic.
- Despite the long-standing struggle for SOGIE equality in the Philippines, the upcoming community show, "Be The Good," will feature Representatives Percival Cendaña and Geraldine Roman discussing the challenges and opportunities for SOGIE equality and queer community rights.
- As the 20th Congress begins, questions remain about the progress of the SOGIE Equality Bill, given the diverse opinions among senators and representatives, with some like Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino expressing support, and others like Tito Sottos and Rodante Marcoleta being against it.
