Cagayan Valley LGBT groups push for local anti-discrimination laws

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- Local associations of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community in the region are strongly pushing for the creation of an anti-discrimination ordinance in local government units (LGUs).

Maxie Umoso, the President of the Responsible Advocates for Gender Sensitivity and Awareness of Cagayan (RAGSAC), said they are supporting the crafting of such local law and the national bill.

“Sa [amin] sa RAGSAC, we are also pushing for this bill sa anti-discrimination and, hopefully [may] maipasa [rin] kahit lamang po sa city level or kahit sa province [level], mas maganda,” Umoso said.

Such a local law would also address cases of bullying on members of the LGBT community, Umoso added.

“Napakaimportanteng magkaroon ng anti-discrimination ordinance sa city or sa province so that alam po natin talaga kung paano aayusin yung mga bagay-bagay na yan [tulad] ng bullying, teasing, and stuff,” Umoso said.

Umoso noted that there are only a few LGUs in the country who have passed an anti-discrimination ordinance.

Angeles City, Pampanga passed their anti-discrimination ordinance in 2013. Quezon City followed suit with their pro-LGBT ordinance in 2014 while Baguio City council approved their own version of the ordinance last year.

City of Ilagan Gay Association (CIGA) Spokesperson Peterson Patriarca said such ordinance is being pushed in the city council, primarily by former Mayor Jay Diaz.

“Ipinapasa na itong mga city ordinances na ito [sa Ilagan] tungkol sa LGBT para maibsan natin o maiwasan natin [ang discriminasyon]. Ang karapatan ng mga katulad namin ay covered na ng government,” Patriarca added.

Patriarca said the city government extends P100 million yearly assistance to CIGA, a group that currently has over 485 members.

CIGA President Yonedick Pascua said gays, the flowers of the City of Ilagan, being an active member and contributor in society can inspire others to prevent forms of discrimination.

“Ang isang tao ‘pag naoobserve niya na ang isang beki ay may maganda palang nagagawa sa lipunan [at] kapaki-pakinabang pala siya sa isang bayan, dito po siya mahihiyang i-bully po yung gay,” Pascual said.

Meanwhile, the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression (Sogie) Equality Bill has been approved on third and final reading in congress on September 2017. Even President Rodrigo Duterte expressed support to pass the bill in the legislative level. Northernforum.net