YOUTH advocacy group Philippine Anti-Discrimination Alliance of Youth Leaders (PANTAY) on Friday said that the SOGIE Equality Bill could be passed soon as more Filipinos express support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer plus (LGBTQ+) community.
The Equality Bill, pending in Congress, seeks protection of all persons, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity and expression or SOGIE. The bill, once passed into law, will protect foremost LGBTQ+ persons from discrimination and harassment in schools, workplaces, and public spaces.
“As hundreds of thousands of Filipinos join Pride marches this year across the country, they represent the majority of Filipinos who believe that everyone deserves love, no matter who they love,” PANTAY Convener Vince Liban said in a statement.
June is traditionally celebrated as Pride Month by the LGBTQ+ community due to its historic link to Stonewall in1969 in New York City, United States that signaled LGBTQ+ activism. Last year, the Philippines broke the record of the biggest Pride march in Southeast Asia with more than 110,000 in attendance.
“We are a expecting a bigger show of force this year,” said Liban. “Around the country, pride marches will be held in schools, workplaces, and barangays. This signals that more Filipinos support equality for all,” Liban added.
“This Pride Month, our legislators should commit to hear the SOGIE Equality Bill in the Senate. For the fathers who want their children safe from bullying in school, for workers who want a fair chance to contribute to our economy, and for tax-paying LGBTQ+ families who deserve support from the state, an Equality Law will be for everyone,” he concluded.
