SO G!

To SOGIE
WHEN YOU REDUCE LIFE TO BLACK AND WHITE, YOU NEVER SEE
RAINBOWS.

Going into the new decade of 2020, the past few years have seen a lot of news about
the LGBT community. There was a Pride March held in Ateneo De Manila and a rather controversial
reaction from a religious group. There was the Metro Manila Pride March, with thousands of people
braving the rains to celebrate and protest. And everyone had an opinion about Gretchen Diez, the
transgender woman who was treated harshly by a janitress in a Quezon City mall. Because of all of these,
there has been a lot of discussion about solving discrimination against the LGBTQIA, through a SOGIE Bill.

WHAT is the SOGIE Bill?

This is probably the most important question! SOGIE stands for Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity
and Expression. But what do those words mean anyway?

The SOGIE Bill is basically an anti-discrimination bill. It recognizes that many people, whether they're
LGBTQIA++ or cisgender, experience discrimination based on their SOGIE. The bill seeks to protect all
people from this kind of discrimination.
WHO will the SOGIE Bill affect?

Everybody, actually! Every person has SOGIE, so, as Atty. Mendoza says, "the bill applies to all. Even
cis heteros have sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. The SOGIE Equality Bill does not
provide LGBTIQAs with special rights."

Some people have said that there isn't really a need for a SOGIE Bill, since there are many members of
the LGBTQIA community who are accepted and successful in different industries. But according to Atty.
Mendoza, "There are also members who live their lives deprived of basic rights, such as the right to work,
the right to education, the right to access to health services, facilities, and establishments, and others,
simply because of their sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. Discrimination has been a
reality in the lives of LGBTIQAs. While some might not have been discriminated against, or might not
have felt stigmatized, it does not negate the lived experiences of others who have."
WHAT is covered by the SOGIE Bill?

With the SOGIE Bill, certain activities can now be declared discriminatory, and you can actually file
charges if any person, corporation, or organization commits these acts. These activities include
the promotion of stigma, and denial of access to public service, with special mention of military service.

As per Atty. Mendoza, it will also be a violation if there's "differential treatment of an employee, a job
applicant, or any one engaged by virtue of a contract of service" because "companies should hire based
on merit and not based on anyone's SOGIE. To deny the right to work based on SOGIE is a clear case of
discrimination and is penalized by the bill when it becomes a law."

If the SOGIE Bill were already a law, the case of Gretchen Diez would be a clear violation already, since
this a discriminatory act: "Denial of access to establishments, facilities, utilities, or services." This means
"trans women should be allowed to use female bathrooms because they are women. The same goes
with trans men and male bathrooms."

Other examples of violations include:

• Refusal or revocation of accreditation, formal recognition, or registration of any organization,

political party, or institution
 • Denial of access to medical and health services

• Denial of application or revocation of professional license

• Forced medical or psychological examination to determine and/or alter a person’s SOGIE

without his or her consent (This bill requires the approval of the appropriate Family Court for
minors)

• Harassment by the police or military

HOW will society benefit from the SOGIE Bill?

• The SOGIE Bill will benefit the community by providing protection especially for the people in
the LGBT community wherein they are found in situations like SOGIE-based discrimination.

• The law would make it harder for people to bully or discriminate against the members of the
LGBT community on the basis of their identities. It will penalize hate speech against them.

• According to Hontiveros that it is a protective mechanism to LGBT Filipinos who not only
experience discrimination but also stigma. 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.
The HISTORY of the SOGIE Bill

If the Philippines’ Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression Equality Bill was a person, it would
have been a 19-year-old adult by now. It has become one of the slowest-moving bills in Philippine history,
always caught in what LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) rights advocate Jonas
Bagas calls "the institutional weakness of Congress." This "makes it susceptible to the influence of the
main opponents of this bill—the faith-based organizations," he explained in a primer about the bill in
2006.

2010-2012

• Party list Ang Ladlad, which aimed to represent the LGBTQ+ community, files a petition to run in
the 2010 national elections. An ABS-CBN report says the Commission on Elections (Comelec)
 denied the petition twice, citing “immorality” as basis. Its registration is eventually granted by
the Supreme Court.

2013

• On August 3, then-Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chair and pioneer SOGIE bill sponsor
Loretta Ann Rosales says the CHR is working on a database on LGBTQ+ hate crimes to better
their prosecution and investigation.By the end of the same month, then-Laguna representative
Sol Aragones introduces House Bill No. 2572, which would make LGBTQ+ hate crimes an
aggravating circumstance for crimes against persons and chastity.Shortly after, then-Albay
representative Grex Lagman files a measure that would help same -sex couples acquire
property together. Neither bill has been passed.

2014

• Trans woman Jennifer Laude is murdered by a US Marine on October 11.Laude’s

case catalyzes discussion and action toward advancing transgender rights.In the local
government scene, former mayor Herbert Bautista signs the gender-fair ordinance in Quezon
City on November 28. Prohibited acts include discrimination against the LGBTQ+ in the
workplace, educational institutions, and in delivery of goods, services, and accommodation.The
ordinance also includes affirmative acts, such as equal pay and sensitivity training in the
workplace.This would become the law that protected Gretchen Diez when she faced illegal
detainment at a mall office in Quezon City.
2016-2017

• During the election campaign, then-senatorial candidate Manny Pacquiao calls same-sex couples
“mas masahol pa sa hayop (worse than animals)” in a viral video interview by Bilang Pilipino. He
has served two terms as a congressman by this time.Bataan congressional candidate Geraldine
Roman makes history as she takes her seat as the first-ever elected transgender woman in the
House of Representatives in May.The first Senate version of the anti-discrimination bill is filed
on August 11 by Senator Risa Hontiveros, while its House counterpart remains pending.

2018

• On August 8, CNN Philippines reports that 5 senators who include Hontiveros, Loren Legarda,
Ralph Recto, Franklin Drilon, and Juan Miguel Zubiri express support for the bill. Opposing
senators include Manny Pacquiao, Joel Villanueva, and Senate President Tito Sotto.The CHR
backs the passage of the bill through a position paper dated October 8.
2019-2020 Current State of the SOGIE Bill

• The anti-discrimination bill was due for passage in June 2019 before the 17th Congress
adjourned. The bill languished after suffering 3 years of interpellations. After Hontiveros
delivered a privilege speech on the 14th of August, renewing her call for Congress to pass the
SOGIE bill, Senators Imee Marcos and Bong Go threw their weight behind it. Meanwhile,
several senators express confusion. Senator Aquilino Pimentel III asks for a definition of trans
woman, Senator Panfilo Lacson brings up the danger of voyeurism, and Senate President Tito
Sotto wonders, “why that lengthy letters? Why not just Homo sapiens?”Diez meets with
President Rodrigo Duterte on the 19th of Augusr, and says he supports her and her push for the
SOGIE bill. Sotto strikes back with another remark about the bill having “no chance” of passing
the Senate if it “transgresses on academic freedom, religious freedom, and women’s rights.”
PROS of the SOGIE Bill

1. Wider job opportunities

- The SOGIE bill would give a wide selection of job opportunities without discrimination of sexual
orientation and gender identity.

2. Equality

- The SOGIE bill is all about equality this bill would not only benefit the LGBTQ+ members but also
everyone who experience discrimination from the influence of the bill.

3. Justice to the Discriminated

- The said bill would not only bring equality but it would also provide penalties to those who
discriminate and will receive punishment.

4. Respect

- With the said bill the discriminated will get the same respect and standard for the reason that they are
already identified as an official individuals

5. Opportunities

- The SOGIE bill would provide rights to the discriminated, it would start fair treatment without
sexual orientation and gender identity blocking its path opening wider opportunities
CONS of the SOGIE Bill

1. Disrespect to the church

- The sogie bill will also affect the church community laws, it would also disrupt the catholic society by
the idea or a transgender nun priest

2. Disruption of society

- With the newfound standards the SOGIE bill would make a joke of natural gender identities, moral
principles and standards.

3. Entitlement

- The SOGIE bill can give over entitlement to the LGBTQ society and accumulate misuse of the said law

4. Threat to Sports

- With the SOGIE bill law disrespect to female and male community can take place by a transgender
player that is male biologically and a female transgender allowed to enter a female competition physical
abilities and gender will disrespect the competition competitors.

5. Threat to Women

- The law can bring chaos and controversy with competitions such as Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss
international and etc.
REACTIONS to the SOGIE Bill

A lot of people have expressed their support of the SOGIE Bill, from LGBTQIA advocacy groups to
educational institutions, from religious organizations and medical professionals.
Dr. Mira Ofreneo of Psychological Association of the Philippines asks us to consider the psychological
effects of discrimination.

Dr. Nathalie Africa-Verceles is standing up for equality and nondiscrimination.

Sis. Mary Kohn Mananzan of St. Scholastica’s College clearing a misconception on the SOGIE Equality Bill

Senate President Vicente Sotto III told reporters on Wednesday evening, August 21, that the SOGIE
(sexual orientation and gender identity and expression) equality bill has "no chance" of hurd ling the
upper chamber.
MISUNDERSTANDINGS about the SOGIE Bill

SOGIE Bill is a very controversial topic which makes people have different opinions and level of
understanding. Here are a few misunderstanding about SOGIE Bill:

• It is not a same-sex marriage bill but it protects LGBT persons from discrimination

• It will not penalize people who practice religous or academic freedom but will give equal access
to LGBT persons to employment, education, and social services

• It will not dictate churches on their teachings or hiring process but promot programs for non-
discrimination and diversity in schools and workplaces.

• It will not allow a change of gender-markers in birth certificate but it will provide programs to
protect LGBT kids in schools.

• It does not violate the rights of straight people but the bill will extend equal rights to all persons.
Gays or straight, sexual harrassment, and assault are pinishable by the law.
GOVERNANCE DEBATE on certifying the SOGIE Bill

President Duterte does not want to certify the SOGIE Bill as an immediate as Anti-Discriminate Bill.
This is because he finds the SOGIE Bill benefiting only towards the LGBTQ which will surprisingly
promote discrimination as it is legislating a particular class only. Meanwhile, Ant-Discrimination
would apply for everyone which makes it more upright.

Although being certified urgent will mean Congress can pass a bill on the same day, that does not mean
debates will be shorter nor does it guarantee passage at the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The 17th Congress ran out of time to pass a proposal to make enrollment in the Reserve Officers
Training Corps mandatory for students in Grades 11 and 12 because it was certified urgent a day before
the session ended.

"There is nothing in the certification which would shorten the debate on any measure," Senate Minority
Leader Franklin Drilon said then.

Certification does not mean the president cannot veto the bill even if Congress passes it.

Duterte vetoed seven measures that had been certified as "priority and urgent" and that were passed in
the 17th Congress, including the Security of Tenure Bill and the Coco Levy Fund Bill that he pushed for in
his State of the Nation Address in 2018.
ABOUT US

The authors of "SO G! for SOGIE" are a group of Grade 12 STEM students of SE124 who wish to
enlighten and inform people regarding a certain issue in the Philippines that has been going on for a
long time not but still has not been prioritized by the government. Hopefully, through this informative
website, readers would be able to be educated regarding the SOGIE Bill and its importance in the
community, and also be more aware regarding the series of events occuring in our country today.
Through this website, we wish to carry out the message of equality regardless of gender, sexual
orientation, and race all throughout the world.

Authors and their Contributions

1. TABANGCURA, Amber Sebastien

• Leader

• Assumed needs/expectations

• Research on existing technology

• Misunderstandings about the Bill

 • How will the community benefit

2. BAQUIRAN, Marygrace M.

• Members

• Target Users

• What is SOGIE Bill

• Pros and Cons

3. COMILANG, Angelica

• Member

• Software Prototype

• Target Users

• Pros and Cons

4. PARFAN, Marie Dominique M.

• Member

• Storyboard

• Microsoft Sway Formatting

• Legislative History

5. RENIA, Christine Nicole S.

• Member

• Reactions on SOGIE Bill

• Pros and Cons

6. ZAPANTA, Gvian Lois B.

• Member

• Misunderstanding about the Bill

• Governance debate on certifying the SOGIE Bill