
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has lauded 19 senators who signed the report of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality and recommended the passage of the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill.
Cited with gratitude by the CHR were Senators Risa Hontiveros, Koko Pimentel, Sonny Angara, Imee Marcos, Cynthia Villar, Nancy Binay, Bato dela Rosa, Grace Poe, Mark Villar, Francis Tolentino, JV Ejercito, Robin Padilla, Raffy Tulfo, Jinggoy Estrada, Lito Lapid, Chiz Escudero, Loren Legarda, Bong Go, and Bong Revilla Jr.
In a statement, the CHR said the action of the 19 senators “demonstrates a clear commitment to address the plight of the lesbians, gays bisexuals, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) community in the country."
It expressed hopes that the SOGIE Equality Bill will meet the same success at the House of Representatives and urged members of Congress to keep an "open mind" so that the Filipino LGBTQI community will be free from threats and harm and be accorded equal dignity and rights.
"While the Commission notes advancements made through equality and anti-discrimination ordinances in cities and municipalities, a national legislation shall provide legal aegis to LGBTQI individuals who continue to be deprived of opportunities and basic services because of misconceptions or prejudiced judgment," the CHR said.
It stressed that it has been very vocal against the disproportionate violence and discrimination faced by LGBTQI members across different sectors and settings, and said that “asserting their diverse SOGIE should never be cause or reason for intolerance or injustice.”
TAGS: #CHR #SOGIE #LGBTQI