Until today, numerous Asian countries continue to experience pervasive and systematic

human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity that are supported by

outdated ideologies and customs. It is always been about discrimination, especially for the

members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and more

(LGBTQIA+) community. As seen by the rising number of terrible attacks, criticisms and

injustice, the situation of the LGBTQIA+ population was one of the topics that modern society

rarely addressed for decades. They are the one's who experience a lot of mistreatment because of

how they express themselves. Despite the modernization that happened through these years, the

stigma against the LGBTQIA+ people still prevail. The SOGIE bill, also known as the Anti-

Discrimination Bill, is a set of house and senate bills that were introduced in the 17th and 18th

Congresses of the Philippines with the goal of enacting laws to stop various forms of economic

and public accomodation-related discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation,

gender identity or expression. With this SOGIE Equality Bill, an Anti-Discrimination Bill on the

basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, the rights of the LGBTQIA+ people will be upheld.

The SOGIE Bill should be passed into law and be implemented in the Philippines because it will

extend equal rights, promote inclusivity, and eliminate any form of violence and discrimination.

The SOGIE bill will extend equal rights for everyone. The bill will not only benefit the

LGBTQIA+ community but also every individual because it guarantees fairness for any sexual

orientation and gender identity and expression. Everyone will benefit on this bill because every

individual has his or her own SOGIE. The equal protection article of the 1987 constitution, in

particular, is intended to be fulfilled by the SOGIE Bill. It affirms that LGBTQIA+ people are on

an equal footing with everyone else and guarantees that their rights are upheld (Divina Law, N.D.).

Some may argue that this bill will provide the LGBTQIA+ community more privilege, but it is not

true. Recognizing and protecting the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community will not lessen the rights

of the heterosexual people. This is supported by Vince Liban, convener of Philippine Anti-

Discrimination Alliance of Youth Leaders (PANTAY) and said that "When social justice laws

protecting the marginalized — Magna Carta for Women, for PWD, Indigenous People, etc. —

were passed, hindi nabawasan ang karapatan ng mga hindi babae, hindi PWD, at hindi IPs." This

statement is indeed true, the bill is bounded to recognize and protect the rights of the LGBTQIA+

community. There is no part of the bill that says it will harm the rights of the heterosexual people.

Quoting the statement of Senator Risa Hontiveros, "the advancement of one is the advancement of
all", it is to debunk the belief of people that the bill will create conflict with rights of the other

marginalized sector. People will also say that it will imperil freedoms of speech and religion

because Christians will be allegedly forced to conform to the lifestyle of the LGBTQIA+

community. As mentioned on the purpose of the bill, the SOGIE Bill is meant to protect the

LGBTQIA+ community from gender-based violence and discrimination, especial when gays and

trans women are being barred from entering public spaces, among other acts. It was not created to

step on other people's freedom of expression or religion. To clarify, the bill is not a same-sex

marriage bill. It will not penalize people who practice religious or academic freedom. It will not

dictate churches on their teachings or hiring process. And it will not allow a change of gender-

markers in birth certificate. There are people saying that the bill shall not be passed into law

because there are laws against discrimination already. This include Republic Act No. 6725 for

women, RA 11210 for extended maternity leave, RA 7877 for sexual harassment, RA 8972 for

solo parents, RA 10911 for anti-age discrimination in employment, RA 7277 & 9442 for disabled

people, RA 8371 for Indigenous People, and Presidential Decree No. 966 for racial discrimination

— all of which are focused on a specific group for specific purposes. There is no law protecting

the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community nor the SOGIE of everyone, so it is constitutional for the

SOGIE Bill to be passed into law.

The SOGIE Bill will promote inclusion especially for the LGBTQIA+ community who

have experienced being excluded by other people just because of who they are. This bill will

recognize their rights not as LGBTQIA+ rights but simply as human rights. It has been the problem

of the society, people tend to exclude some who are different from what they perceive those people

should be. This is due to the constant gender diversion brought on by stereotypes, patriarchy,

sexism, misogynistic and homophobic perception, and competing ideas. Despite statistics showing

that people are tolerating the LGBTQIA+ community, there are still erroneous behaviours that do

not show inclusivity at all. This bill will ensure that everyone, especially the LGBTQIA+

community will have equal access to opportunity, the freedom to express oneself without worrying

about facing prejudice, and protection from cruel treatment. Inclusivity will foster from

acceptance, and not tolerance for the LGBTQIA+ community. When people learn to break the

stigma, stereotypes, patriarchy, sexism, misogyny, and homophobia, then they will learn to accept

the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. This will happen with the help of the SOGIE Bill because

people will be more open and knowledgeable about individual differences and SOGIE. When
people are knowledgeable enough the LGBTQIA+ community, they will begin to recognize their

rights and accept them as normal human beings. Acceptance is the recognition that LGBTQIA+

are equals. People should become more proactive in campaigning for the passage of pro-human

rights laws and calling out injustice when there's one — a purpose of the SOGIE Bill. Through the

bill, a more humane society will be developed and in that kind of society, everyone will get to

achieve their fullest potential.

SOGIE Bill will eliminate any form of violence and discrimination. It will promote

programs for non-discrimination and diversity. The LGBTQIA+ people have been subject to

discrimination because of how they express themselves. They experience harassment, assaults, and

discrimination in employment, education and social services. However, this bill gives equal access

to LGBTQIA+ people to employment, education and social services. One of the latest victims of

gender-based discrimination was the transgender Filipina, Sass Roganda Sasot, a blogger from

Dasmariñas, Cavite. Lights and microphones were turned off as Sasot was set to deliver her speech,

being chosen as the guest speaker for the graduation rights in a school in the said province. Another

one was on August 13, 2018, Gretchen Custodial Diez, a transwoman, was denied access to her

preferred bathroom by a janitress at Cubao mall. Discussions about how gender equality has failed

were prompted by the occurrence. However, these incidents did not result to any change regarding

gender-based discrimination. Which is why the bill should be passed into law, so that such actions

will be punished. In legal basis, SOGIE bill will ensure fairness for the LGBTQIA+ community.

According to the bill, a person who committed acts against anyone who expresses themselves will

be penalized. And since someone could get penalized for such actions can prevent other people

from committing such behavior towards a person based on their sexual orientation. Any form of

harassment and sexual assault will be punishable by law. However, people still have false

information regarding the bill. They think that it will be abused by the LGBTQIA+ people, and

some transgender will apply to become a nun or a priest. There is a concrete line between the

Church law and the State law. The separation of church and state of the Philippines shall not be

disrespected, therefore, a biologically born woman and man only have the right to become a nun

and a priest, respectively. As stated before, the bill will not dictate churches on their teachings or

hiring process. Hence, the church shall stick on their traditional hiring process for a nun and a

priest which is only for a biological woman and man.

 The SOGIE bill is constitutional and should be passed into law because it will promote

equality by eliminating discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and

expression. It will promote inclusivity, especially for the LGBTQIA+ community. And with the

right implementation and execution, not only the members of the LGBTQIA+ but also everyone

have an assurance to exercise human rights based on their SOGIE.

References

1. https://www.divinalaw.com/news-and-updates/sogie-equality-bill/

2. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.reportr.world/amp/news/how-yestosogiebill-

protects-everyone-not-just-the-lgbt-a4713-20201105

3. https://preen.ph/99945/understanding-what-sogie-means-and-why-it-matters

4. https://www.cnnphilippines.com/life/culture/2020/11/5/understanding-SOGIE-bill-

importance.html

5. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/the-1987-constitution-of-the-

republic-of-the-philippines/the-1987-constitution-of-the-republic-of-the-philippines-

article-ii/

6. https://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/first_17/CR00101.pdf

7. https://manilarecruitment.com/manila-recruitment-articles-advice/workplace-

equality-diversity-philippines-laws-protect-you/

8. https://kami.com.ph/108199-sogie-bill-proposed-pros-cons.html