Content of the Senate Bill 689 (SOGIE BILL) or also know as the “Anti-Discrimination

Act”

Senate Bill 689 or SOGIE Bill is an act prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual
orientation and gender identity or expression (SOGIE) and providing penalties therefor. This
was enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled.

Section 1, of Senate Bill 689 or SOGIE BILL shall be known as the "Anti-Discrimination
Act."

Section 2 of Senate Bill 689 or SOGIE BILL also known as “Anti-Discrimination” Bill that
the state recognizes the fundamental right of every person, regardless of sex, age, class, status,
ethnicity, color, disability, religious and political beliefs, sexual orientation, or gender identity, to
be free from any form of discrimination. This Bill also states that the state should intensify its
efforts to fulfill its duties under international and domestic laws to respect, protect and fulfill the
rights and dignity of every individual. As well as to exert efforts to address all forms of
discrimination and violence on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity and to promote
human dignity as enshrined in the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, particularly in the
General Recommendation No. 28 on Nondiscrimination Based on Sexual 12 Orientation and
Gender Identity, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and all
other relevant and universally accepted human rights instruments and other international
conventions to which the Philippines is a signatory.

Section 4 of the Senate Bill 689 (SOGIE BILL) seeks to protect individuals and
communities that experience human rights violations on the basis of SOGIE, including, but not
limited to, individuals and communities of diverse sexual orientation or gender identity or
expression who are children, young, poor, differently abled, of different ethnic background or
cultural background, and of various religious belief.

Section 5 of the Senate Bill 689 prohibits the discriminatory practices on the basis of
sexual orientation and gender identity including the promotion and encouraging stigma on the
basis of SOGIE in the media, in educational textbooks, and other medium. Inciting violence and
sexual abuse against any person or group on the basis of SOGIE is prohibited. (a)

Include SOGIE, as well as the disclosure of sexual orientation, in the criteria for hiring,
promotion, transfer, designation, work assignment, reassignment, dismissal of workers, and
other human resource movement and action, performance review and in the determination of
employee compensation, career development opportunities, training, and other learning and
development interventions, incentives, privileges, benefits or allowances, and other terms and
conditions of employment: Provided, That this provision shall apply to employment in both the
private sector and public service, including military, police, and other similar services; Provided,
further. This prohibition is applicable to the contracting and engaging of the services of
associations or organizations with lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, intersex, or queers
(LGBTIQs) members or of associations or organizations advocating LGBTIQs rights. (b)

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 This Act also refuse the admission or expulsion of a person from any educational or
training institution on the basis of SOGIE: Provided, however, That the right of educational and
training institutions to determine the academic qualifications of their students or trainees shall be
duly upheld. (c)

This Act prohibits imposing of disciplinary sanctions, penalties harsher than customary or
similar punishments, requirements, restrictions, or prohibitions that infringe on the rights of
students on the basis of SOGIE, including discriminating against a student or trainee due to the
SOGIE of the student's parents or legal guardian. (d)

This Act prohibits the refusing or revoking of the accreditation, formal recognition,
registration, or plan to organize of any organization, group, political party, institution or
establishment, in educational institutions, workplaces, communities, and other settings, solely
on the basis of the SOGIE of their members or of their target constituencies. (e)

This Act prohibits the practices of denial of a person access to public or private medical
and other health services open to the public, as well as access to public and private health
insurance, including HMOs, on the basis of SOGIE. (f)

This Act prohibits the practice of denial to an application for or revoke, on the basis of
SOGIE, any government license, authority, clearance, permit, certification, or other similar
documents necessary to exercise a profession, business, or any other legitimate calling. (g)

This Act prohibits the denial to a person, access to or the use of establishment, facilities,
utilities, or services, including housing, open to the general public on the basis of SOGIE:
Provided, That the act of giving inferior accommodations or services shall be considered a
denial of access or use of such facility or service: Provided, further. That this prohibition covers
acts of discrimination against juridical persons solely on the basis of the SOGIE of their
members or of their target constituencies. (h)

This Act prohibits the practice of subjection or forcing of any person to undertake any
medical or psychological examination to determine or alter the person's SOGIE without the
expressed approval of the person involved, except in cases where the person involved is a
minor and below the age of discernment in which case prior approval of the appropriate Family
Court shall be required. In the latter case, the child shall be represented in the proceedings by
the Solicitor General or the latter's authorized representative(i)

This Act prohibits the subjection of any person, natural or juridical, to profiling, detention,
or verbal or physical harassment on the basis of SOGIE. Profiling, detention, or verbal or
physical harassment on the basis of SOGIE by members of law enforcement agencies,
including the military, police, and immigration, is likewise prohibited. Physical or verbal
harassment based on SOGIE of persons in custody or detention of the police, including
subjecting them to extortion, is also prohibited; and (j)

Subject a person to any other analogous acts that shall have the effect or purpose of
impairing or nullifying the enjoyment, recognition, and exercise of a person's human rights and
fundamental freedoms. (k)

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 Section 6 of the Senate Bill 689 (SOGIE BILL) states that willful refusal of a government
official whose duty is to investigate, prosecute, or otherwise act on a complaint for a violation of
this Act to perform such a duty without a valid ground shall constitute gross negligence on the
part of the official and shall be subjected to pertinent administrative sanctions.

Section 7 of the Senate Bill 689 (SOGIE BILL) states that any person who commits any
discriminatory practice described in Section 5(a), 5(d), 5(e), 5(g), and 5(h), shall, upon
conviction, be penalized by a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PI00,000.00)
but not more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (P250,000.00) or imprisonment of not
less than one (1) year but not more than six (6) years, subject to the discretion of the court. Any
person who commits any discriminatory practice described in Section 5(b), 5(c), 5(f), 5(i), and
5(j) shall, upon conviction, be penalized by a fine of not less than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand
Pesos (P250,000.00) but not more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) or
imprisonment of not less than six (6) years but not more than twelve (12) years, subject to the
discretion of the court. Any person who commits any discriminatory practice described in
Section 5(k) shall, upon conviction, be penalized with the same penalty as the prohibited act to
which it is analogous. In addition, the court may impose upon a person found to have committed
any of the prohibited acts the rendition of community service in terms of attendance in human
rights education's familiarization with and exposure to the plight of the victims. Nothing in this
Act shall preclude the victim from instituting a separate and independent action for damages
and other affirmative reliefs. The penalties provided under this Section shall be without prejudice
to the imposition of administrative liability for government officials and employees.

Section 8 of the Senate Bill 689 (SOGIE BILL) states that if any civil, criminal, or
administrative offense, not falling under this Act, is committed, and proven to be attended by any
discriminatory practice prohibited under Section 5 of this Act, said offense shall be qualified and
the corresponding penalty provided thereto shall be applied in its maximum period.

Section 9 of the Senate Bill 689 (SOGIE BILL) states that the Women and Children’s
Desks now existing in all police stations shall also act on and attend to complaints/cases
covered by this Act. In this regard, the police handling said desks shall undergo trainings on
human rights and SOGIE, gender sensitivity and awareness, and sensitization on the issue of
violence and abuse on the basis of SOGIE. Complainant-minors can be represented by parents,
guardians, social workers, or a non-government organization of good standing and reputation.
Included also in this section are the roles of the Civil Service Commission, Department of Labor
and Employment, Commission on Human Rights.

Section 10 of the Senate Bill 689 (SOGIE BILL) includes the programs to promote the
nondiscrimination and diversity including the Social Protection Programs, Diversity Programs
and Policies, Information and Education Campaign.

Section 11 of the Senate Bill 689 (SOGIE BILL) includes the creation of Congressional
Oversight Committee which will be composed of ten (10) members from the 5 Senate and the
House of Representatives, which shall include the following: the Chairperson and two (2)
members of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender
Equality; the Chairperson and one (1) member of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human
Rights; the Chairperson and two (2) members of the House Committee on Women and Gender

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Equality; and the Chairperson and one (1) member of the House Committee on Justice. The
members of the ADOC shall be appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the
House, respectively, with at least one (1) member representing the Minority.

SEC. 12. States that if any provision of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the
other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC 13. States that all laws, executive orders, administrative orders, and rules and
regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC, 14. States that this Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 5 complete
publications in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,

The SOGIE Equality Bill recognizes that inequalities stemming from prejudice and
discrimination exist for everyone, and disproportionately affect LGBTQIA+ individuals. It affirms
the fundamental rights of every person regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity and
expression; and aims to provide fair and equal opportunities for everyone in accessing basic
social services, employment, education, healthcare, protection under the law, and justice while
acknowledging and breaking down the barriers that exist for the most vulnerable groups.

Legislative History

The Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression Equality Bill, also known as
the Anti-Discrimination Bill (ADB) is a series of House and Senate bills that were introduced in
the 17th, 18th, and 19th Congress of the Philippines, which aims to set into law measures to
prevent various economic and public accommodation-related acts of discrimination against
people based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. The first anti-
discrimination bill based on SOGIE was first introduced in the 14th Congress of the Philippines
and has since been refiled continuously up to the present Congress.
A senate bill against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity
was believed to have been first filed under the 11th Congress of the Philippines in 2000 by then-
Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago.[4][5] On July 26, 2004, under the 13th Congress of the
Philippines, Senator Defensor-Santiago filed the Employment Non-Discrimination bill which
aims to prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.[6] Similar bills were
refiled by her on the 14th (Anti-Discrimination bill of 2007) and 15th congress (Anti-Sexual
Orientation Discrimination bill).[7][8]
In the House of Representatives, counterpart house bills were filed continuously by the
representatives of Akbayan party-list starting with House Bill 634 filed during the 13th Congress
of the Philippines on July 1, 2004, by then party-list Representative Etta Rosales.[9][10][11]
Similar measures continued to be filed by other senators during the 13th to 16th Congress, but
none have been successful. Example provided below are the first anti-discrimination senate bills
from their respective congress:

 13th Congress - Senate Bill 165 (Employment Non-Discrimination bill of 2004)[12]

 14th Congress - Senate Bill 11 (Anti-Gender Discrimination bill)[13]
 15th Congress - Senate Bill 1559 (Anti-Sexual Orientation Discrimination bill)[8]

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  16th Congress - Senate Bill 1022 (Anti-Discrimination bill)[14]
17th Congress[edit]
In 2017, the first SOGI house bill of the 17th Congress was filed by Dinagat Islands
Representative Arlene Bag-ao under House Bill 51.[15] Similar bills were filed by Bataan
Representative Geraldine Roman (HB 267), Akbayan Representative Tomas Villarin (HB 3555),
and other representatives. These bills were consolidated and substituted by House Bill 4982.
[16]
HB 4982 made history when it was approved on the third and final reading with no members
of the House of Representatives in opposition, becoming the first Anti-Discrimination Bill that
was approved in the House of Representatives.[17][18][19]
The counterpart bill in the Senate, filed by Senator Risa Hontiveros (the first Akbayan
senator), was in the period of interpolations by May 2018. It was backed by Senators Loren
Legarda, Grace Poe, Nancy Binay, Franklin Drilon, Bam Aquino, Chiz Escudero, Ralph
Recto, Sonny Angara, JV Ejercito, Francis Pangilinan, Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Leila de Lima,
although de Lima was barred from voting on the bill as she is currently in police custody. [20][21] It
was opposed by Senators Tito Sotto, Manny Pacquiao, Cynthia Villar, and Joel Villanueva (who
signed up as a co-author of the bill). Other senators such as Win Gatchalian, Koko
Pimentel, Antonio Trillanes, Panfilo Lacson, and Richard J. Gordon did not express their support
or rejection of the bill. Additionally, Alan Peter Cayetano and Gregorio Honasan lost their voting
rights on Senate measures as they joined the presidential cabinet. [22] Out of the existing 24
Senate seats: 12 seats could vote and were in support of the bill, 1 seat was in support but
could not vote on the bill, 4 seats could vote and were in opposition to the bill, 5 seats could
vote on the bill but have not yet given their positions on it, and 2 seats were de facto vacated.
[22]
For a bill to have passed the Senate, it needed more than half the votes in favor of it from all
24 Senate seats. The SOGIE Equality Bill was supported by 12 seats that were allowed to
vote on the measure.[23]
The bill is also supported by the Catholic student governments of University of the
Philippines-Diliman (UPD), Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), De La Salle University
(DLSU)-Manila, De La Salle - College of St. Benilde (CSB), Far Eastern University (FEU),
Miriam College (MC), St. Scholastica's College (SSC)-Manila and San Beda University (SBU).
The longest running LGBT student organization, UP Babaylan, has also been supporting the bill
ever since it was first filed,[24] as well as known celebrities and icons such as Heart
Evangelista, Nadine Lustre, Bianca Gonzalez, Iza Calzado, Charo Santos-Concio, Dingdong
Dantes, Joey Mead King, Divine Lee, Karen Davila, Chot Reyes, Tootsy Angara, BJ Pascual,
Samantha Lee, Christine Bersola-Babao, Rajo Laurel, Tim Yap, Anne Curtis, Mari Jasmine,
Laureen Uy, Pia Wurtzbach, Lorenzo Tañada III, Vice Ganda, Arnold Van Opstal, and Chel
Diokno.[25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]
In March 2018, a small group of Christians protested at the Senate against the SOGIE
bill by calling the proposed legislation an "abomination", adding that homosexuality is a "sin"
according to the Bible and that identifying as part of the LGBT community is a lifestyle. The
group also claimed that the bill relates to same-sex marriage, which is not found anywhere
within the bill.[34] Senators Villanueva, Gatchalian, and Villar spoke against same-sex marriage
after the protest.[35] In May 2018, Senator Tito Sotto, who opposes the SOGIE bill, became the

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new Senate President. In an interview, Sotto was asked on the bill's passage, to which he
responded, "Not in this congress."[22]
In July 2018, various high-profile celebrities rallied for the passage of the SOGIE bill.
They also called out senators Sotto, Pacquiao, and Villanueva to end the debates and pass the
proposed legislation.[26] In August 2018, at the height of the bill's postponed debates, various
discrimination incidents against the Filipino LGBT community surfaced, causing public calling for
the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill in the Senate. [36][37] Numerous influential personalities,
including political allies of the three senators who oppose the bill, sided with the calls to pass the
landmark proposal.[30][36][21]
In May 2019, the SOGIE Equality Bill officially became the longest-running bill under the
Senate interpellation period in Philippine history. Supporters of the bill have remarked that the
prolonged interpellation was intended by the dissenters to block the passage of the historic anti-
discrimination bill.[38] The bill's principal author and sponsor in the Senate, Senator Risa
Hontiveros, called on her Senate colleagues to formally close the question period so that the bill
can be open for amendments and voting. [38] In June 2019, with the end of the session of the
17th Congress, the SOGIE Equality Bill died after the lawmakers failed to tackle the bill in this
session of the Senate of the Philippines. The Senate version of the bill was first filed on August
11, 2016. It was sponsored by Risa Hontiveros on December 14 of the same year. The bill has
become one of the slowest-moving bills in the country's history. The passed House version of
the bill would have penalised discrimination with a fine of not less than ₱100,000 but not more
than ₱500,000, or imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years or both,
depending on the court's decision.[39] However, she said the bill had gained new allies and wider
acceptance among policy makers and the public and that she is confident the bill will pass in the
next Congress.[40] The bill was archived, and the bill must be refiled in the 18th Congress,
restarting the one to three-year process of enactment.[38][41]
18th Congress[edit]
Versions of the SOGIE Equality Bill were refiled in the 18th Congress by Senators Risa
Hontiveros,[42] Leila de Lima, Francis Pangilinan,[43] and Imee Marcos although she is against
divorce and same sex marriage stating that it is "too complicated". [44] Another similar bill was
filed by Senator Sonny Angara.[45] Senators Bong Go,[46] Migz Zubiri,[47] Ralph Recto,
[21]
and Franklin Drilon[21] announced their support for the SOGIE Bill. In the House of
Representatives, various representatives also filed their versions of the bill, notably, Sol
Aragones of Laguna,[48] Geraldine Roman of Bataan,[48] Loren Legarda of Antique,[49] Maria
Lourdes Alba of Bukidnon, Joy Belmonte of Quezon City, Bayan Muna representatives Eufemia
Cullamat, Carlos Zarate, and Ferdinand Gaite, Kristine Singson of Ilocos Sur, Bagong
Henerasyon representative Bernadette Dy, Eric Olivarez of Parañaque, and Francis Abaya of
Cavite.[50] Representatives Sy-Alvarado, De Venecia, Reyes, Taduran, Bordado, Olivarez, and
Violago have also signed as co-author of the bill filed by representative Roman,
[50]
while Gabriela Women's Party representative Arlene Brosas has signed as co-author of the
bill filed by Bayan Muna.[50]
Religious leaders also gave their support for the SOGIE Bill, such as Koko Alviar of
the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Aglipayan Church),[51] Sister Mary John Mananzan, OSB,

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executive director of the Institute of Women's Studies of the Catholic St. Scholastica's College,
[52]
Bishop Solito Toquiero of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines,[53] and Pastor
Kakay Pamaran of the Union Theological Seminary.[53] In contrast, representative Eddie
Villanueva claimed that the SOGIE Bill is 'imported' and not part of Filipino culture. [54]
Senate president Tito Sotto expressed dissent against the bill again, adding that the bill
"will not pass" in the Senate as long as he is the Senate president. [55] Senator Joel
Villanueva also expressed dissent.[56]
Various personalities announced their support for the SOGIE Bill, namely: Anne Curtis,
[57]
Heart Evangelista, Catriona Gray, Pia Wurtzbach, Judy Taguiwalo,[58][59] Iza Calzado, Nadine
Lustre, Janine Gutierrez, BJ Pascual, Mari Jasmine, and Samantha Lee. [60] Vice President Leni
Robredo also supported the SOGIE Bill,[61] while President Rodrigo Duterte supported "an anti-
discrimination law patterned like the one approved in Davao". [62] The government has stated that
they will not certify an anti-discrimination bill as "urgent". [63] In September 2020, groups again
called to pass the SOGIE bill after President Duterte gave an absolute pardon to a former US
Marine who has been convicted of homicide in relation to the killing of trans Filipina Jennifer
Laude.[64]
19th Congress[edit]
The SOGIE Equality bill was refiled in the 19th Congress by Senators Risa Hontiveros,
Loren Legarda, and Mark Villar in September 2022 with Senator Robin Padilla showing support
for the bill.[65] The bill passed the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and
gender equality in December 2022 with the support of 19 senators. [66] Included in the signatories
of the Senate committee report were Hontiveros, Senate president pro tempore Legarda, and
Senate minority leader Koko Pimentel.[66]
Senator majority leader Joel Villanueva reverted the bill to the committee level after he
referred the bill to the committee on rules in February 2023, which delayed sponsorship of the
bill by the plenary.[67] Villanueva and his father, Rep. Eddie Villanueva in the lower house of
Congress, were accused of using underhanded tactics to delay or block discussions on the bill.
[68]

In the House of Representatives, the consolidated Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender
Expression, or Sex Characteristics bill passed the committee on women and gender equality in
May 2023.[69]
The Commission on Human Rights supports the bill and stated that its passage complies
with the Philippines' obligations to international human rights.[70]
Musician and former National Youth Commission chair Ice Seguerra has expressed
support for the bill.[71]
An anti-SOGIE disinformation network was uncovered in a Rappler investigative report
published in February 2023. According to data published by Rappler, the online network had
been spreading disinformation about the bill since 2019.[72][73]
In 2022, the Philippine government under the newly elected administration rejected the
legislation of various anti-discrimination measures including the SOGIE Equality Bill, [74] sparking

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the largest pride march in Southeast Asia, where over 110,000 people in June 2023 marched
in Quezon City in support of the SOGIE Equality Bill. [75][76] Various pride marches also occurred
in key cities throughout the country's regions.[77]
The SOGIE Equality Bill is a crucial proposed legislation in the Philippines designed to
safeguard individuals from discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, and
expression. By advocating for equal rights and opportunities irrespective of one's SOGIE, this
bill aims to foster a society where every person is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. Its
implementation would not only provide legal protection to marginalized groups but also promote
inclusivity, diversity, and understanding within the Filipino community.
Upholding the principles of equality and non-discrimination, the SOGIE Equality Bill
plays a significant role in advancing human rights and social justice in the Philippines. Also, it’s
crucial to recognize that everyone has a unique sexual orientation and gender identity
expression, regardless of being cisgender heterosexual. Understanding and respecting these
differences is essential for creating an inclusive environment for all individuals. It emphasizes
how personal perception and self-identification play essential roles in determining one's gender
identity, whether aligning with the assigned gender at birth (cisgender) or diverging from it
(transgender). And The SOGIE Equality Bill, also known as House Bill No. 4982 or “An Act
Prohibiting Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity or Expression
(SOGIE) and Providing Penalties There for” is a significant legislative proposal in the Philippines
aimed at preventing discrimination based on SOGIE. It was written by Senator Risa Hontiveros
and sponsored by Kaka Bag-ao, Geraldine Roman, and Tom Villarin in the House of
Representatives.

Literature/studies
According to Enriquez (2017), Discrimination and violations against the basic rights of
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) persons in the Philippines continue to this
day. The LGBT in the Philippines continues to live harder lives than everyone else in a place
claiming to be gay friendly (Dela Cruz 2015). 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 (Bernal 2013).
Once gay literature materialized in the early 90s in the country, academic studies and
political activism with the participation of the LGBT community became more mainstream
(UNDP, USAID 2014). 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 (UNDP, USAID 2014). Come the new millennium, the formation of the political
party Ang Ladlad was seen (UNDP, USAID 2014). 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, and political representation (UNDP, USAID
2014). Various forms of media, for and by LGBT people, have also become more mainstream,
specifically representing the LGBT community which, included monthly gay magazines such as
Generation Pink, and Ketchup Magazine, televisions shows like Out!, and editors and
contributors to broadsheets were also participated in by the LGBT people (UNDP, USAID 2014).

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Now popular Outrage Magazine, established in 2007, became the first web-based publication
exclusively for LGBT Filipinos (Outrage n.d.)
Some challenges for the LGBT’s social and political movements included the lack of an
umbrella organization, and the lack of understanding of SOGIE concepts in the Philippine
context, as well as a more coherent understanding, and representation of experiences within the
LGBT community due in part to class, regional, and cultural differences (UNDP, USAID 2014).
This also leads to various violations to the rights of LGBT Filipinos to persist, though not
consistently and consciously documented (CSO 2017). Examples of these violations includes
access to education, employment, healthcare, political representation, as well as different
discrimination experiences in family affairs, religion, and media (UNDP, USAID 2014). In
addition, negative stereotypes are being perpetrated against LGBT persons through policies
and practices of the government, and even in schools and at home (CSO 2017).

In 2013 survey entitled “The Global Divide on Homosexuality by Pew Research Center”,
the Philippines has a high public acceptance of homosexuals as supported by 73% of adult
Filipinos agreed that homosexuality must be acknowledged by society. However, many people
especially LGBTQ+ community proved that the Philippines is more tolerant than acknowledging.
In fact, the country ranked 95th in the Spartacus Gay Travel Index 2019, which means “to inform
travelers about the situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender means “to inform
travelers about the situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender like transgender rights,
the existence of anti-gay laws, and same-sex marriage (Arias, 2019).

legislative intent/purposes and features

The SOGIE Equality Bill, is also known as the “Anti-Discrimination Bill” is a proposed
legislation to the Congress of the Philippines that seeks to protect LGBTQIA+ Filipino
Individuals who are facing discrimination on their community. This bill was first filed in 1998, and
as of today, it reached over two decades. There are so many LGBTQIA+ Filipino individuals that
are being discriminated every day because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and
expression (SOGIE). It can be in a form of throwing inappropriate jokes by other individuals,
victim of harassment and violence, being denied access to healthcare, jobs, and social services.
And all of these are coming from their own community. Honestly, these actions shouldn’t be
normalized at all that’s why this kind of bill would make a big impact to the society. SOGIE
Equality Bill aims to protect every LGBTQIA+ individuals at any case. Its main goal is to
recognize and provide legal protection and the rights of every person regardless of their sexual
orientation, expression and gender identity. It seeks to eliminate discrimination at all based on
one’s gender, class, religious, status and identity. Giving equal opportunity to everyone in terms
of accessing the services in education, aid, housing, healthcare, employment, giving justice and
protection under the rule of law, other opportunities are the main goal of this bill. In other words,
this legislation can provide safeguard and will ensure the protection of every individual with
diverse SOGIE. In addition, it stands to stop discrimination and protect them from any hate
speech and harassment and lastly, it ensures that LGBTQIA+ individuals are treated with fair
respect and dignity. It would perfectly result to decrease the cases of abuse, dehumanization,
and violence in the Philippines. According to Metro Manila Pride (2020), it aims to protect every
individual which are part of the LGBTQIA+ Community who are continually harmed from an

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institutional level and societal level. In conclusion, the passage of the bill that protects
LGBTQIA+ Filipino Individuals would be the start of what we called “change” to promote
equality, human rights and inclusivity regardless of SOGIE.

Photos and appropriate captions

Standing for justice and

equality: On June 22, 2023,
advocates passionately call on the
Philippine Senate and House of
Representatives to pass the SOGIE
Equality Law, ending decades of
delay. The LGBTQIA+ community in
the Philippines deserves protection
from discrimination, ensuring equal
opportunities for all.
#PassSOGIEEqualityNow
#EqualityForAll" "Time for change is
now: Urgent plea to the Philippine
Congress to pass the SOGIE Equality
Law after 23 years of delay. Discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community must end,
granting everyone the right to dignity, fairness, and equal opportunities. #LGBTQIA+Rights
#PhilippineEqualityMovement
United for change: A snapshot from the 2013 Manila Pride Parade, where LGBTQIA+
activists rally for respect and equal rights. Their mission? To advocate for the Anti-Discrimination
Bill, a crucial step towards a more inclusive Philippines. #PrideEquality #EndDiscrimination"
"In the name of love and equality: Attendees at the 2013 Manila Pride March stand strong,

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 demanding justice and the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Bill. Let's join hands for a more
inclusive future. #LGBTQIA+Rights #UnityInDiversity

-
References
https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/3106627964!.pdfhttps://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/
3106627964!.pdfPass the SOGIE Equality Law Now! (2023, June 22). Amnesty
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