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SOGIE Bill Reaction Paper

The Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression Equality Bill (SOGIE), also
known as the Anti-Discrimination Bill (ADB), is a proposed legislation of the Congress of the
Philippines. It is intended to prevent various economic and public accommodation-related acts
of discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or
expression. The bill was first filed in Congress in 2000 by then-senator Miriam Defensor-
Santiago and then-Akbayan party-list Representative Etta Rosales, in which the bill passed 3rd
reading in the House but stalled in the Senate. Similar measures were filed by other senators in
the 15th and 16th congresses which failed to see progress. The bill was re-filed by Defensor-
Santiago in every congressional period in the Senate until the end of her last term in 2016. The
counterpart bill in the House was also filed continuously by the representatives of Akbayan
party-list.

In my opinion, the SOGIE bill is something that is needed by not only members of the
LGBTQ+ community, but also by everyone else. Such as women, men, and children who need
protection or safety. Discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community also must be stopped in
some way, and for that to happen people need to learn how to respect and accept others for
who they are. They have been denied access to public services, employment, health services, and
facilities. They have been given rather harsher than customary punishments, shamed, insulted,
threatened, and even killed. They need some sort of protection, respect, acceptance, and
support. Because they are humans, just like us. They deserve to be treated like they are normal,
because they are. They want to be happy with who they are, and how they feel. And as long as
they aren’t hurting or harming anyone else, we have to be happy for them. After all, it’s their life,
and their decision to make about who they want to be.

Arguing about issues such as this is a bit unnecessary, in my opinion. We have so many
problems to deal with in this world, such as poverty, global warming, climate change, suicide,
racism, wars, corruption, and lack of proper education. And yet we argue about fixing people
who don’t even need to be fixed. We continue to deny them respect, love, and acceptance.
Depression and suicide is also a huge problem nowadays. And the hate and discrimination that
are shown to these individuals are only worsening this problem. We say that they sin because it
says so in the bible, but it is also mentioned there that wearing mixed fabrics, having tattoos,
working on Saturdays, and having unhealthy and unclean habits (such as smoking) are sins.
However, some of these are commonly done, and accepted these days. Homosexuality is
something that most people still haven’t accepted, and this bill can help change it. They aren’t
granted “special rights”, they are simply being given the rights that they have been deprived of.
They are simply being given the protection and respect that they need to be able to function
properly in our society.

Acceptance of the LGBTQ+ is easier said than done. But it will remain hollow unless we
accept that sexuality is a continuum, that being like them is not a disease that can be cured, or a
sin that can just be exorcised or prayed for. You have to realize that they do not just need
acceptance or tolerance, but are entitled to rights which the SOGIE bill vows to protect and
ensure.

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