Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 10) — Although Valentine’s Day is still months away, senators are set to receive “love letters” from the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies on December 12, urging the legislature to pass the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, or Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) bill.
The Lagablab LGBT Network, comprised of LGBTQIA+ organizations, announced the LAVAN LETTERS campaign in a human rights day celebration in Malolos, Bulacan on Sunday.
\”Hopefully this will show them na hindi lang ‘to panawagan ng mga LGBTQI dahil marami rin sa mga sulat ay galing sa mga allies, sa mga pamilya ng mga LGBT na ganoon lang ka-importante ‘yung panawagan para sa proteksyon sa anumang porma ng diskriminasyon,\” Jap Ignacio of Lagablab said.
Ignacio said they plan to also send letters to the House soon.
[Translation: These are not just calls of the LGBTQI community because many of the letters come from allies and families of the LGBT to emphasize the importance of protection against all forms of discrimination.]
Over two decades have passed since the first SOGIE Equality Bill was proposed. The SOGIESC bill aims to ban discrimination because of someone’s sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression.
Ignacio said: \”Other than misconceptions about the content or the provisions of the SOGIE Equality Bill, mayroon tayong mga leaders na hindi pa ganoon ka-supportive sa pagkakapantay-pantay o pagpasa ng isang bill na akala nila ay para lang sa LGBT.\”
\”Pero ‘pag usapin ng SOGIE, lahat tayo bilang mga tao, mayroon tayong sexual orientation […] Kahit isang straight na tao, kung na-discriminate ka dahil straight ka, mapoprotektahan din tayo ng SOGIE Equality Bill,\” he continued.
[Translation: There are leaders who aren’t very supportive of equality or the passage of the bill because they think it is only for the LGBT. On the subject of SOGIE, all humans have a sexual orientation. Those who will experience discrimination for being straight will also be protected by the SOGIE Equality Bill.]
Around 500 people, including Bulacan officials and LGBTQIA+ advocates, trooped to Malolos City Hall on Human Rights Day to call for inclusivity and show their support for the bill.
The group said they chose Malolos for their activity because of its historical significance as the birthplace of the Philippine constitution. Organizers said this is where they wanted to highlight the need for equality.
\”Ang pangarap po natin ay magkaroon ang bawat isa ng isang quality access to education, isang pamayanan na kung saan walang matatakot na LGBTQIA+ na magpa-checkup sa mga pampublikong ospital, walang mga LGBTQIA+ na mapag-iiwanan sa trabaho,\” Barangay Longos, Malolos Councilor Miel Agustin said.
[Translation: Our dream is for everyone to have equal access to education, a community where the LGBTQIA+ will not be afraid to get a checkup in public hospitals, where LGBTQIA+ are not left behind at work.]
Some lawmakers have criticized SOGIESC bill advocates for supposedly working to legalize same-sex marriage in the Philippines. There are no provisions on the bill regarding this.
