The Lagablab LGBT Network started off Pride month with an "equality rally" on Friday at the Boy Scout Circle in Quezon City to highlight the country's absence of anti-discrimination legislation to protect the LGBTQIA+ population.
Lagablab LGBT Network's Jap Ignacio remarked that delaying tactics should be ended, calling on senators to come out of hiding and cease delaying the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) Bill.
The House of Representatives panel adopted the chamber's version of the bill last week, while the Senate version was relegated to committee after objections from religious groups.
Many participants chastised Rep. Eddie Villanueva and his son, Sen. Joel Villanueva, for reportedly stalling the approval of the SOGIE bill in both chambers of Congress.
Those opposed to the SOGIE bill, according to Rev. Joseph San Jose of Open Table Metropolitan Community Church, should not use Christianity to explain their positions.
On the other hand, Gender and Development Advocates (GANDA) Filipinas' Naomi Fontanos said the community has suffered long enough without an anti-discrimination law, citing victims of hate crimes such as Jennifer Laude and Ebeng Mayor.
Meanwhile, the first anti-discrimination bill was introduced in Congress over two decades ago, but it never became law due to strong opposition from MPs and the Catholic-dominated community.
