Members of the LGBT community in Cebu pose for souvenir photo at the Fuente Osmeña Circle before the start of their 2017 Pabuhagay parade held on June 24, 2017.
CDN FILE PHOTO
The bill seeking to penalize those who will be found practicing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity was passed on third and final reading during a session at the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Discriminating a member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community may soon land you in jail, once this bill becomes a law.
During plenary session on Wednesday, the Lower House approved on third and final reading House Bill 4982, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression (Sogie).
At least 197 lawmakers voted to approve the bill on final reading, with zero against and zero abstentions.
Transgender lawmaker Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman led the lawmakers in waving a rainbow flag before the third reading of the bill.
The bill entitled “Sogie Equality Act” penalizes the following discriminatory practices based on Sogie: denying access to public service, including military service; including Sogie as criteria for hiring, promotion, transfer, designation, work assignment, re-assignment, dismissal of workers, and other human resource movement and action; refusing admission or expelling a person from any educational or training institution on the basis of Sogie; imposing disciplinary sanctions or penalties harsher than the customary or similar punishments on the basis of Sogie; refusing recognition or accreditation to any organization based on Sogie; denying a person access to public or private medical and other health services open to general public; denying application for or revoking a professional license, clearance or certification.
The bill also penalizes denying a person access to establishments, facilities or utilities, including housing; forcing a person to undergo medical or psychological tests to alter one’s Sogie without the person’s express approval; harassment, coercion or threat in the enforcement of law on the basis of one’s Sogie.