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How Discrimination Happens to LGBTQ Community in the

Philippines

A Case Study presented by:

Kimberlyn Flores Odoño

BS-CRIMINOLOGY

2-ALPHA

in partial fulfilment of the requirements for

HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND VICTIMOLOGY

July 2021
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Table of Contents

Contents

Introduction 3

Background information 3

Alternatives 4

Solution 5

Recommendation 5
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I. Introduction

Discrimination towards the LGBT community is common here in the Philippines,

as we all know not all Filipinos are open to this kind of thing that’s why until now the
community are fighting for an equal rights and protection for them. This case study aims
to look into how discrimination happens in the LGBTQ community in the Philippines. It
seeks to understand if why do Filipinos discriminates the LGBTQ. Also, this study aims
to show how gender play a significant part in how discrimination happens, beyond the
assumptions of sexual orientation as the basis for discrimination.

II. Background of the study

Violence and discrimination against the LGBT people continue until today
in the Philippines. And we all know that the discrimination means the unjust or
prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the
grounds of race, age, or sex. And it is illegal in our country as of today because of
the SOGIE Bill that protecting the LGBT community. The SOGIE Equality Bill is
meant to fulfill the rights set forth in the 1987 constitution, particularly the equal
protection clause. It recognizes the LGBTQ as equals and ensures that their rights
are protected inasmuch as everyone’s is. The bill also acknowledges the
Philippines duties under international law particularly the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It
thus recognizes the non-discrimination of the LGBTQ as both a national and
international duty.
The LGBT community in the Philippines continues to live harder lives than
everyone else in a place. Acceptance is different from tolerance. Tolerance
conceals prejudice and discrimination. Religious bias is still very strong in the
country where old customs are still kept such as Christian values, as well as having
conservatives in the country who endorse” man is for woman” relationships.
Homophobic slurs are also still heavily used to show disrespect, which also forces
many to stay in the closet or hide their true identities from family and friends. The
country’s peculiar relationship with the LGBT where the country has typified the
LGBT and expect them to conform to these norms, for example, there is the butch
lesbian. The moment the LGBT step out to demand rights, they immediately
become a threat to the society because they no longer fulfill nor fit the stereotype
associated with them.
Early 90s gay literature materialized in the country, academic studies and
political activism with the participation of the LGBT community became more
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mainstream. LGBT related writing became more common in local, and

community publications, which, towards the end of the decade, led towards the
first formal advocacy in the political realm with the formation of the LGBT lobby
group and the drafting of the first Anti-Discrimination bill.
In the 2000s, more organizations were formed to address specific needs of
the LGBT in the country including sexual health, psychosocial support, religious
and spiritual needs.
Last September 2017, the Congress of the Philippines voted unanimously,
1980-0, to pass the SOGIE Equality Act, also known as, and hereon referred to as
the Anti-Discrimination Bill.
III. Alternatives

• First alternative for this case people should be aware of the discrimination towards
the LGBTQ community and be enlighten to the possibility that they can work
together with the hetero community and live as a normal people without being
discriminated all the time.
- Even this alternative is imposed or conducted many people will not listen to it.
Yes, they are aware of the discrimination but many of us don’t really care to this
issue. And as the old customs are taught to the younger generation, the religious
value and discrimination might continue also.
• Second alternative employer should not be bias or homophobic towards the
applicant or employee. Employer should treat them equally and fair.
- It is complicated for this alternative because we can’t really tell the owner or
employer if how they will treat their employees it their choice and rules.
Discrimination can happen any time during work and it can’t be avoided. For
example, the employer is homophobic and it happened that one of his
employees is gay he will direct all the issue to him because of the hate he has
for LGBTQ.
• Filipinos should more open to the new generations wherein the LGBTQ
community co-exist and the old customs shouldn’t be imposed. By doing this the
discrimination will be less than what we have now.
- As I say we can’t convince all Filipinos to adjust for the community it’s their
choice if they will be open for this kind of community.
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IV. Solution

As the community of LGBTQ grow, Philippines should address the demand and
needs of this people because they are also a citizen of the country giving them the equal
rights and fairness will create a peaceful community between the hetero and LGBTQ. And
I think the government must have more policies that will tried to address the
discrimination, violence and abuse that the LGBT face. These discriminations do not only
come in the form of direct attacks or harassments, but even economic discrimination
when they are unable to access employment and the labor market as freely as others do.
This often puts the LGBT in a state of economic instability where they are either
mismatched with the sector that they work in, or they have to sacrifice the performance
of their gender identity and expression, in order to avoid discrimination and find a decent
way of living.

V. Recommendation

The discrimination towards the LGBTQ community is a major problem in our

country and here are the recommendations that may provide prevention for this.

• Government should provide more policies that will protect the rights of LGBTQ
community and gives equal treatment as the hetero community.
• In school there should be a proper teaching of equal rights and enlighten the
younger generation to the existent of LGBTQ community in this way no more
homophobic slur will grow up and future generation will be more open to the co-
exist community.
• The LGBTQ community can conduct of awareness not to influence but with the
purposed of enlightening the younger generation in this kind of issue. So, no more
LGBTQ person will suffer discrimination in the future.