ON THE PRESIDENT'S PLAN TO CERTIFY AS URGENT AN ANTI-DISCRIMINATION BILL INSTEAD OF THE SOGIE BILL
Statement of Akbayan Sen. Risa Hontiveros

President Rodrigo Duterte's statement that he plans to certify as urgent the SOGIE Equality Bill, only to be corrected by his spokesperson that the President was referring to an Anti-Discrimination Bill, shows Malacañang's policy confusion regarding how to address discrimination against the LGBT community.

While an anti-discrimination measure is welcome, the SOGIE Equality Bill remains the best policy tool to protect members of the LGBT community from discrimination, harassment, and even violence. The SOGIE Equality bill does not only define and prohibit discrimination, it also addresses stigma against persons with diverse SOGIE through programs promoting equality and diversity. This protective mechanism is unique to LGBTs who experience not only discrimination but also stigma. We hope that President Duterte will seriously consider these points.

Nonetheless, we will continue to move the SOGIE Equality Bill forward even as we continue to listen to different voices and try to understand each other. We will also work to ensure that provisions against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression are included in a comprehensive anti-discrimination measure. We will fight for equality on all fronts.

The struggle for the SOGIE Equality Law is a journey of more than two decades. The LGBT community is not asking for special rights and privileges. Ang kanilang tanging hiling ay ituring sila ng pantay at mamuhay ng payapa na malaya sa diskriminasyon.