WHILE there is no guarantee that the Senate would pass the controversial Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) equality bill, in Angono, Rizal, members of the so-called third sex need not worry over discrimination.
This comes as the Angono Mayor Jeri Mae Calderon signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the University of Rizal System (URS) for the protection and inclusion of the LGBTQIA Plus (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more) sector in the local government’s policy.
Dubbed as for the URS KayakAPP LGBTQIA Plus, the advocacy provides social, cultural and educational inclusivity and support of various stakeholders in the town referred to as the Arts Capital of the Philippines.
In a statement, Calderon assured that the municipal government is upholding the rights in all its programs regardless of gender even as she claimed that a significant chunk of the so-called third sex has long been part of its active workforce and being treated with much respect and growth opportunity. “They (LGBTQIA Plus) have proven that they can be as good in many fields of interest, including arts for which Angono is known for. They have climbed their way up in the corporate world and have shown impeccable intelligence in the field of academics,” Calderon said.
Under the MOA that was signed by various stakeholders, the provision of educational workshops, cultural activities and a massive campaign towards gender equality.
Aside from Calderon, other signatories include URS President Nancy Pascual, local tourism office chief Tracy Pascual, social welfare office head Luisita Vestra, barangay officials, youth organizations, art clubs, civic groups and the business sector.
“While we have always been upholding the rights of the LGBTQIA Plus sector, it is imperative to widen the advocacy if only to ensure that they are protected from unwarranted discrimination in school, at work or anywhere else in our town,” Mayor Calderon added.
