HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES – “Contrary to what the opponents of the SOGIE Equality Bill say, the SOGIE Equality Bill’s sole purpose is to end gender-based discrimination in this country, which affects not only members of the LGBT community, but heterosexual men and women as well. This in consonance with the Constitutional provisions on equality and protection of human rights.”
So goes a part of a post today of Bataan 1st District Rep. Geraldine B. Roman on her Facebook Page explaining further the House Bill (H.B. 267) which she filed last June 30, 2016. The HB called “Prohibiting Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity…” seeks to define prohibit and penalize situations and practices wherein discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender equality occur.
Roman added that SOGIE Equality Bill will help end gender-based discrimination in the workplace, in business and social establishments, and in the availing of government services.
“It will protect ALL Filipinos from being denied access to public establishments. It will prevent ALL Filipinos from being denied jobs or health services due to their gender. And it will protect ALL Filipinos from being expelled from school due to gender-based biases,” she reiterated.
The SOGIE Equality Bill, she said, aims to protect the civil rights of very Filipino, including the most vulnerable groups in our society: women, and the LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders) community.
She explained that once the bill becomes law, “ALL of us can work, study, socialize, and avail of public services without fear of being discriminated against due to our gender. This is why it is very important for the Philippine Senate to pass this bill.”
“It is not a same-sex marriage bill, but a bill that guarantees protection from gender-based discrimination. It is a bill that protects ALL OF US, and this bill was created BY Filipinos FOR Filipinos. Regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity, the SOGIE Equality Bill will protect YOU,” Roman pointed out.
