Educators push for passage of SOGIE bill – Manila newsletter

Ahead of the Pride Month celebration in June, a network of education advocates again pushed for passage of the Equal Sexual Orientation and Expression Bill. gender identity (SOGIE) in the Philippines.

“Educational institutions should be a safe place and the first place that promotes equality,” said the Civil Society Network for Education Reforms or E-Net Philippines. “It should be the place where young Filipinos learn about how colorful the world is and how they can thrive in so many ways that could be different,” the group added.

E-Net Philippines, a network of 130 organizations, believes that the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual + (LGBTQIA +) are human rights. Thus, he expressed his solidarity and full support for the adoption of the SOGIE equality bill in the country.

The SOGIE equality bill is for ALL

“So that the right to education is meaningful for all students, including LGBT people [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender] students – teachers, administrators and lawmakers must work with LGBT advocates to ensure that schools become safer and more inclusive places of learning for LGBT children, ”the group said.

The SOGIE Equality Bill is a proposed measure that aims to address the crucial issues of the differential treatment of an employee or any person engaged in the provision of services, denial of admission or expulsion of a educational institution and other forms of discrimination on the basis of SOGIE.

“It is a challenge for the state to advance equality and non-discrimination of people of diverse OSIGIE,” the group said.

E-Net Philippines added that it is also the responsibility of the state to “protect the rights and uphold the dignity of all by providing an enabling environment free from discrimination and stigma so that everyone can fully enjoy their human rights, and for the LGBTQ + community to be able to express themselves freely and contribute to the betterment of the community.

The bill, the group added, also states that basic rights and needs should “never be restricted or neglected” on the basis of gender or sexuality, whether lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, homosexual or straight.

“The bill ensures that educational institutions protect LGBTQ + students as they would any other student,” E-Net Philippines noted.

June is Pride Month, a commemoration of resistance to police brutality in 1969 when police raided a gay bar called Stonewall Inn which sparked protests from members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community. , queer and more (LGBTQ +). This led to the gay liberation movement and paved the way for the recognition of the human rights of the LGBTQ + community.

“As we wrap up this Pride Month, may we continue to celebrate diversity, call for equality and stand up together alongside the rest of the LGBTQ + community,” the group added.