LGBTQIA+ groups and advocates led by Bataan Representative Geraldine Roman on Friday urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent the SOGIESC or Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, and Sex Characteristic bill.
The proposed measure is currently in the period of sponsorship in the House of Representatives.
“Mr. President, bahagi po kami ng lipunan at meron naman po kaming inaambag sa ating bansa. At tulad ng ibang Pilipino, we want to be able to develop our full potential so we can become productive members of society,” said Roman, who also chairs the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality.
(Mr. President, we are also part of the society and we have contributed to our country. And like any other Filipino, we want to be able to develop our full potential so we can become productive members of society.)
Roman clarified that the SOGIE SC bill does not push for same sex-marriage and gender recognition where an individual can change legal gender markers in official documents, and nor does it violate religious freedom.
“Kung naipapasa na ang anti-discrimination ordinance sa local level, bakit hindi pa namin ito ipinapasa sa national level?” Roman asked.
(If the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance can be passed at the local level, why can’t we pass it the national level?)
The organization Pantay reported that 11 provinces, more than 20 municipalities, and more than 40 cities have enacted an anti-discrimination ordinance.
“Bulag na lang ang ayaw makakita o bingi na lang ang ayaw makinig. Alam namin na ito ay simpleng Anti-Discrimination bill na naglalayong proteksiyunan ang lahat ng Pilipino – LGBT man o hindi… Unfortunately, most cases of discrimination happen and are committed against members of the LGBT community,” Roman said.
(Only the blind will not see and the deaf will not hear. We know that this is a simple anti-discrimination bill that aims to protect all Filipinos, whether part of LGBT or not.)
Discrimination
Bahaghari chairperson Reyna Valmores said she is a victim of such discrimination.
“Bilang isang transgender woman, naranasan ko na po ang bullying, harassment, and abuse sa school coming from peers and teachers, and even from family,” Valmores said.
(As a transgender woman I have experienced bullying, harassment and abuse in school coming from peers and teachers, and even from family.)
Roman said the leadership of the House of Representatives and majority of the members support the SOGIE SC bill, and appealed to the Senate leadership to do the same.
“Para sa akin, hindi katanggap-tanggap na upuan mo lang ang isang panukalang batas especially when there is a clamor nationwide na maipasa itong anti-discrimination bill based on SOGIE SC,” Roman said.
(For me, it is unacceptable not to tackle a bill especially if there is a clamor nationwide to pass the anti-discrimination bill based on SOGIE SC.)
Message to Heart
Roman also called on fashion icon and actress Heart Evangelista to convince her husband, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero to support the bill.
“I am hopeful. Baka naman, Ms Heart Evangelista, you can convince. Heart Evangelista is proudly an equality champ. She won an award the same year that I did. And I know na alam ko malapit din sa puso ni Senate President Chiz Escudero ang LGBTQIA community,” Roman said, as she appealed to Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino to give the bill a chance at the plenary.
(I know that the LGBTQUIA community is close to Senate President Chiz Escudero’s heart.)
Roman said she is hoping that the bill will be approved before the end of the year. She
also bared plans to conduct a nationwide census of the LGBT community in the country.
“Based on rough estimates, the UN (United Nations) has placed 10% of the total population is LGBTQIA… We are around 10 million to 12 million. And our voices will be heard,” Roman said. —KBK, GMA Integrated News
