As I was reading through my blog subscriptions this morning, I came across AJ's entry on what we should know about the Anti-Discrimination Bill (HB 956), which he got from Jonas Bagas. After reading the entry, I checked the House of Representatives website to check the status of the bill. Here is what I found:
| HB00956 | |
| Session No.: 14-1RS-006 | |
| Significance: N | |
| Date Filed: 2007-07-10 | |
| Full Title: AN ACT PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR | |
| Short Title: "Anti-Discrimination Act" | |
| Principal Author: HONTIVEROS-BARAQUEL, ANA THERESIA "RISA" | |
| Date Read: 2007-08-01 | |
| Primary Referral: HUMAN RIGHTS | |
| Bill Status: Pending with the Committee on HUMAN RIGHTS since 2007-08-01 | |
It's sad to know that the bill as filed during the 14th Congress is still pending at the committee level 10 months after it's referral. But what's more saddening is the fact that LGBT groups have been pushing for this since 1999, according to Mr. Jonas Bagas. I am hoping that this bill becomes a law soon, but to do that, there is a great need to educate and enlighten those who are against it, and to gain the support of those who are inclined not to act for or against the approval of the bill. While this blog may only be visited by a few, I am still hoping that I could help in little ways for this cause.
Allow me to repost an excerpt of Mr. Bagas' entry:
Is it too much to ask not to be treated as second-class citizens? Please, WE DO NEED THIS BILL SIGNED INTO LAW!Ten things you need to know about the Anti-Discrimination Bill:
Fight for equal rights for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBTs) by pushing for the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Bill (HB 956) authored by AKBAYAN Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel.
Here’s what the bill is all about:
Equal rights, not special rights. The bill does not grant additional or special rights to LGBTs. What it does is criminalize violations to the human rights and freedoms on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill affirms and promotes human rights and freedoms that are enshrined in the Constitution.
Equality in schools. The bill prohibits discrimination against LGBT students, which usually takes place through unfair admission policies, unjust expulsion, and unreasonable disciplinary actions.
Equal opportunities in employment. By criminalizing unfair labor practices and policies on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, the bill promotes decent jobs for LGBT workers.
Removing stigma in healthcare. The bill bans hospitals, clinics, and medical personnel like doctors and nurses from discriminating against or abusing LGBT patients.Fighting police abuse. Stiffer penalties are imposed on law enforcers who abuse the law – from bagansya to the anti-trafficking law - to harass, torture, or extort money from LGBTs.
Organizing for LGBT pride. The bill affirms the freedom of assembly and association by disallowing discrimination in the establishment of LGBT groups in schools, workplace, communities and in politics.
Equal access to establishments. The bill ensures that establishments that are open to the public like malls, restaurants, and bars, among others, are open to all, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.Gays and lesbians in the police and military. The police and military are barred from screening out competent LGBTs who want to join the force. Under the bill, they are also not allowed to remove LGBT policeman or woman and soldiers due to their sexual orientation and gender identity.
Penalizing discrimination. Under the bill, a person found guilty of discriminating against LGBTs can be fined up to P500,000 and/or imprisoned for a maximum of six years. S/he may also be required to undergo human rights education.
About non-discrimination, not same-sex marriage. Homophobic groups wrongfully claim that the bill is about same-sex marriage. Here’s the truth: 1.) the legal recognition of same-sex marriage requires a separate bill, and; 2.) there is absolutely nothing wrong about consensual same-sex relationships.
5 comments:
I'm not sure which is sadder: The fact that we even have to APPLY FOR anti-discrimination for people who apparently need its, I dunno, protection; or that it's taking this long for presumably-intellectual lawmakers to get something so trivial done.
The Philippines: the Joke of the Orient.
@xio, hmmm, maybe the first one's sadder... let's just hope for the best. hmmm, the joke of the orient? i hope not. i still love the Philippines. :)
we don't need this bill in order not to be discriminated against.
people with BAD experiences with homosexuals (scammed, abused, molested etc.) tend to HATE homosexuals
people with GOOD experiences with homosexuals tend to LOVE homosexuals
this bill aims to let people act act of FEAR, whereas we should be educating them to act out of LOVE.
seriously, are filipino homosexuals nowadays discriminated against because they are homosexuals, or because they are ignorant about their basic rights as persons? the rich and famous homosexuals are flaunting themselves on national television, they could be "mataray" and all that but they are not being maligned by anyone, are they?
WE DON'T NEED THIS BILL.
we need to show people that first and foremost we are PERSONS, beyond our "gayness"...
Well said Courage! I agree. If you fight for such a bill then there is the development of labels.
I believe that if homosexuals are to live equally with their labelled "straight" people then there should be a development of a different image about homosexuals.
To begin with, more control on what is presented to the community about gay people.
I often got the idea that Gays are bad because they're only after sex and the flesh. (due to Pinoy Indie films)
"In my life" is the first show to exhibit homosexuals at a new level.
@Courage and @Photoblogger, I agree to some extent that pushing for this bill creates labels, and that what we need to do is to show that we are persons beyond our sexuality. But I do think we still need this bill. True, some of us may not need the protection being sought through this bill, but there are many others who definitely need this to protect their right to do what straight people do--go to school, work, etc.--and live each day without fear that any homophobic person could just attack him/her physically, psychologically, or emotionally.
@Photoblogger, I totally agree with you. I hope media especially those in the entertainment industry could help develop a positive image of the LGBT community.
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