SIX local government units namely Pasay City, Batangas City, San Jose del Monte Bulacan, Lapu-Lapu City Cebu, Zamboanga City, and Cordon Isabela have undergone series of consultations and advocacy campaigns for them to craft and implement their own anti-discrimination ordinances through their partnership with the German Embassy-Manila and civil organization Philippine Anti-Discrimination Alliance of Youth Leaders (PANTAY).
According to various studies and reports from progressive organization, 74% Filipinos experience discrimination: (1) workplace discrimination and limited economic opportunities (2) bullying and harassment in schools (3) limited access to healthcare services (4) violence and abuse within their own families and (5) lack of legal recognition and protection.
Gabriella Partylist Representative Arlene Brosas said that the absence of the Anti-Discrimination Law in the Philippines continues to enable systematic discrimination against our LGBTQIA+ community. “Their rights are human rights, fundamental and non-negotiable.”
“We have a moral obligation to push for the immediate passage of the SOGIE Bill, ensure implementation of existing local anti-discrimination ordinances, and promote gender sensitive education and awareness programs, support LGBTQIA+ representation in governance and decision-making. Hindi na dapat patagalin,” Brosas said.
Sharing the lessons learned by Germany where it took 49 after the fall of Nazi Regime for them to address the issue on gender equality, German Ambassador to the Philippines Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke hopes to advance LGBTQI+ inclusion in local and national governance.
The Ambassador said that legal recognition is just the first step, as true equality requires a societal shift, one that is reflected in the laws and policies of our communities – but also in the mindset of our people. “This is the reason why we have partnered with PANTAY to help select local government units to implement their Anti-Discrimination Ordinance. The LGUs for Equality project aims to develop monitoring tool kits for local governments and civil society in their effort to enforce anti-discrimination ordinances in their jurisdictions,” Pfaffernoschke said.
“As equality advocates, we must work with our allies in the local level to ignite hope and serve as the guiding light for more LGUs to create safe spaces & opportunities for LGBTQI+ voices to be heard,” PANTAY Executive Director Rye Manuzon said.
Veteran LGBTQI+ advocate and Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña, on his part, said “The only way forward is to go back to our core – mutual respect, social justice, and human rights – our fundamentals in laying the groundwork for a just, humane, and inclusive society.”
