Name: Erika Joy V.

Marcelino
Course/Year/Section: BSMLS – 1C
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

EQUALITY AND PROTECTION: BOTH LGBTQ+ AND US

“Bakla,” “Bayot,” “Tomboy,” “Trans,” “Queer…” These are some of the terms that we
usually hear whenever society sees people who don’t act their respective sexes. Some would
mock and treat them like they have some sort of a contagious disease though we all know that
they just also try to fit in with the rest of us. That is why I believe in the Sexual Orientation and
Gender Identity and Expression Equality Bill or the SOGIE Bill to bring justice towards our
fellow LGBTQ+ members.

The fight for transgender rights is getting increasing attention as society starts to
progressively accept the civil rights of the queer community, such as marriage equality and
protective laws, even if much more work has to be done. Being referred to as simply "different"
has led to challenges for the transgender community in the modern world of gender roles and
binaries, including workplace discrimination, lack of recognition in schools, exclusion from
gender sports, and daily interactions within a climate of tolerance. Others who don't share these
ideals are left behind and striving to survive. The struggle for basic rights is crucial because it
can mean the difference between life and death and welcome into society those who have been
shut out for the majority of society's history. As promised by Article III, Section 1 of the
Constitution, all discriminatory actions based on arbitrary classifications fall under the umbrella
of the prejudice that the Constitution seeks to prohibit.

Compared to their cisgender colleagues, queer persons in the workplace, particularly

transgender people, face a lot more discrimination. Right now, firing employees for their gender
identity is allowed in thirty-two status. A wide range of prejudice is experienced by transgender
kids in schools, including being required to use the restroom of their assigned gender and not
being referred to by their assigned gender and associated pronouns. While a bathroom may seem
insignificant to other people, transgender and gender nonconforming children, especially those
who are looking for acceptance from their classmates, may attach considerable importance to it.

Due to the variety of discriminations happening within the country, the SOGIE Bill was
filed in the 11th Congress; it passed the third reading in the House of Representatives but stalled
in the senate. When it was refiled in the 14th Congress, it reached the committee level. It was
again lobbied in the 15th and 16th Congress to no fruition. The purpose of the constitution is to
safeguard people who would otherwise be excluded from society and left without legal
protection, not to protect the right to discrimination. These laws are employed to supersede
fundamental civil liberties like the freedom of speech and religion. Instead of singling out people
who hold conventional views, protective legislation is passed to preserve the rights of
transgender persons, who have long been the targets of prejudice and hate crimes and are now
protected by the law. In addition to being punitive, the bill also serves a preventative purpose.
The Women, Children, and LGBTQ++ Protection Desk are to be renamed, and the police must
undergo human rights-based training. It also mandates that SOGIE concerns be addressed in all
police station activities and services. Through social protection and diversity programs, it
promotes nondiscrimination and even rewards media portrayals of LGBTQ++ people in a
favorable light.

In conclusion, the SOGIE Bill is implemented to protect the people who suffered from
discrimination against their genders and sexual orientations. It promotes justice and equality for
everyone in the nation, not just LGBTQ people. It's not supposed to elevate us; fundamental
human rights are not exclusive or expensive privileges. Nobody should be afraid to be
themselves. Being a member of the LGBT+ community, including lesbians, gay men, bisexuals,
transgender people, queers, intersex people, asexuals, non-binary people, and others, is not a
crime. The only disadvantage this law draws back is that the LGBTQ community may utilize the
law to intimidate others who might not agree with their demands. Reminding everyone again that
the goal of SOGIE Law is to promote equality and fairness for our LGBTQ+ neighbors, not to
threaten them; thus the reason why it is important. This is to respect everyone in the society,
regardless of who they are.
References:
o Vargas, A. (2019). SOGIE Equality Act. Eight Congress, First Regular Session, House
Bill No. 4216. Quezon City.
https://hrep-website.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/legisdocs/basic_18/HB04216.pdf
o Martirez, J. (2020). Terrible Misconceptions: Why we need the SOGIE Equality Bill.
https://opinion.inquirer.net/136224/terrible-misconceptions-why-we-need-the-sogie-
equality-bill
o Melsa, V. (2021). What is SOGIE Bill? Meaning, who proposed, pros and cons.
https://kami.com.ph/108199-sogie-bill-proposed-pros-cons.html