SOGIE Bill best defense vs discrimination
FOR Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman, the best defense against discrimination is not what to wear but the passage of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill.
While she welcomed the bill filed by Senator Raffy Tulfo about wearing pants to fight gender inequality, Roman is urging senators to approve the SOGIE bill.
“Now that having gender-neutral uniforms in schools is proposed, it is timely for the Senate to prioritize the discussion on the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill which should have long been a law and implemented,” she said.
According to Tulfo’s Senate Bill 1986, female students will be given the option to wear pants as their uniform in a bid to promote freedom of choice, gender equality and safety, among students.
Tulfo added that in today’s social climate, it is imperative that young women are given another alternative to the traditional skirted uniform in order for them to feel comfortable and promote gender-neutral environment.
But Roman stressed that while wearing pants is a defense against sudden abuse, the SOGIE Bill is a clear protection for women against discrimination and harassment not only in schools but also in their workplaces and other public places.
“I encourage my fellow lawmakers to take action on this because no one should be harassed because of their choice of clothing,” she said in a statement.
The proposed measure would in particular, protect Filipinos in the workplace and schools, as well as in the delivery of government services and access to commercial and public establishments.
The solon added that the reason to fight against discrimination for Filipino with different sexual orientation and gender identity is because “of our belief that we are all Filipinos and we are all citizens of our country regardless of our sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.”
