Colors of Equality

LGBT- the complex out of simple context “equality”- the massive word you’ll always
hear on streets every time they raise their prideful rainbow flags symbolizing dignity
and equality. But haven’t they received yet the right they are crying for?

Make LGBT equal rights promise a reality. This calls the attention of all agencies of the
society to strengthen the Civil rights movement in the Philippines when it comes to
LGBT. This is evident for the SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and
Expression) Equality Bill—a measure that, astoundingly, has been pending for 19 years
and over six Congresses now. The bill, which seeks to protect members of the LGBT
community from various forms of sex- and gender-based discrimination
but once again got deadlocked in prolonged Senate interpellations.

We are now on the era of digital age- where social media is the main source of
information. The issue of Gretchen Diez, a transgender woman, went viral because of
her rights violated inside a women’s washroom in a mall somewhere in Quezon City.
After that incident, another member of the LGBT, Mark Joseph Perreno, a 30-year old
gay, to be transferred to a different cell, away from his male inmates due to the
possibilities of molestation inside the cell. But, SOGIE Bill was far to be achieved due to
some unreasonable reasons involved including the possibility that it will serve as an
open gate for same-sex marriage and other “too much” freedom.

The government and the church perspective on this issue seems on the same side. The
government stated that, equality doesn’t mean that we have to give what they want
just to sustain respect. Gone are the days where in that issue was already resolved and
they are waving their flags already. Church on the other hand, quoting bible verse
involving the equality of God is love but it was distorted and interpreted according to
the emotion and the need of the person is a blasphemy.

On school context, discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation and gender

identity is still prevalent. Some LGBT students face serious problems that threaten their
safety, health and right to education that is why resulting them to not feel comfortable
despite existing legal protections. The school as a learning environment should be a
safe place for everyone where students should not be marred by discrimination,
bullying, physical and sexual assault.

The existing policies and laws provided for the protection of LGBT rights such as the
Child Protection Policy is designed to address bullying and discrimination in schools
including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Moreover, the DepEd
Mission states that it shall promote a safe and gender sensitive learning environment
for every learner. But these existing policies, while evident and strong on paper, have
not been adequately and completely enforced. In the absence of effective
implementation and monitoring, many LGBT students continue to face bullying and
discrimination in school.

When learners face these rampant issues- whether in isolation or together- the school
can become a hostile and unfriendly environment. For the right to education to have
meaning for all learners- everybody should work together to ensure that schools, as
one vital part of the society, become safer and more inclusive places for LGBT students
to learn.

Calling for a strengthened gender-responsive education is an indispensable step-but is

only the beginning of a strategy to eradicate discrimination against LGBT. Consider that,
then, leaving the door open to recognizing full civil rights for LGBT people — sooner, we
hope, rather than later.