"Rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders are the most neglected and is the most challenging rights issue of our time," UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said in a statement on, April 13, as we commemorate the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia.
In the Philippines, sexual
orientation and gender identity (SOGI) are contentious issues which, to date
have failed to gain a significant and clear provision in national
policies.
The Philippine Legislators'
Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) was among those who initiated
the filing a national bill in the 15th Congress discussing SOGI at length, the
Comprehensive Policy on HIV Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support (HB 6751,
SB 3072 and 3398) and was involved in the advocacy inside Congress for the
Anti-Discrimination bill (bill number).
Although the
Anti-Discrimination bill was discussed at a special bicameral conference to
consolidate conflicting provisions and the PCTS bill passed the House of
Representatives and was deliberated at the Senate committee level, both bills
did not reach finality in the 15th Congress.
To view the significance of
the PCTS bill, data from the AIDS Registry show that members of the LGBT community,
particularly men who have sex with men, are among the populations which are
most-at-risk to HIV exposure.
"Stigma and
discrimination will compel the LGBT to conceal their relationship and, as a
consequence, will drive them farther away from medical authorities who can
properly address their concerns," PLCPD Executive Director Rom Dongeto
said.
"PLCPD will continue to
pursue its advocacy for a stigma and discrimination-free policy environment by
instituting provisions that will institutionalize gender equity and equality
through a more heightened policy advocacy in the 16th Congress," Dongeto
added.
