The Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) or House Bill four-nine-eight-two (HB 4982) duplicates the purpose of many existing laws that safeguard the rights of every Filipino citizen against discrimination.
Expressly, Ryan Borja Capitulo, who serves as a gynecologist and obstetrician, raised various concerns about the SOGIE bill, primarily as it will criminalize any discriminatory acts against members of the LGBTQ community.
Additionally, Capitulo stipulated that the SOGIE bill is not needed in the Philippines because this nation is unbiased against the LGBT community.
The SOGIE bill has been embraced by the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning) community as there have been various calls for it based on experiences undergone by Gretchen Diez, a transwoman.
The problem seems to be not the lack of the law but the ignorance of the law against gender discrimination of any kind.
SOGIE Bill can backfire
Capitulo asserted that House Bill four-nine-eight-two (4982) which proposed to safeguard against any form of discrimination could be punitive and can backfire in its purpose.
As a result, Capitulo believes that the House Bill is inclusive of everyone, irrespective of his/her background, size, and sexual orientation, among others.
For instance, Magna Carta for Women of the Philippines is intended at eradicating discrimination, but no fines are imposed. In contrast, the SOGIE bill is punitive because any discriminatory offense is penalized, such as incarceration.
SOGIE Bill not needed
Capitulo argued that the SOGIE bill was not needed in the Philippines because this nation is unbiased against the LGBT community.
Capitulo supported his argument by citing an example of Geraldine Roman as a lawmaker in the country despite being transgender.
Capitulo asserted that as a member of the LGBTQ society, he has not come across any form of discrimination as he grew up both at work and in school. He also believed that the legislation would violate a person’s religious liberties.
Nevertheless, a 2018 study by a research company called Cogencia disclosed that LGBTQ members were not welcome in certain local companies.
The LGBTQ society is continuously being embraced across the globe.
For example, in Illinois, United States, an LGBTQ curriculum was recently launched. Moreover, the LGBT flats launched by the University of Sheffield in the UK have countered the stereotype image they had during their inception.
