Nanawagan ang Commission on Human Rights (CHR) na tuluyan nang ipasa ang Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, or Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Equality Bill na kinakailangan umano para sa tunay na pagtataguyod ng pagkakapantay-pantay sa lipunan.

Sa pahayag ng CHR nitong Huwebes, Hunyo 15, kinilala nito ang pag-apruba ng House Committee on Women and Gender Equality sa bagong nirebisang SOGIESC Equality Bill.

Pinagsama-sama ng binagong panukalang batas ang mga kaparehong panukala, tulad ng House Bills No. 222, 460, 3418, 3702, 4277, 5551, 6003, at 7036, kung saan layon ng mga ito na ipagbawal ang lahat ng uri ng diskriminasyon batay sa SOGIESC.

Saad ng CHR, umaasa silang simula na ang naturang pag-apruba ng revised bill sa tuluyang pagsasabatas nito.

“Through its enactment, the legislative branch can demonstrate their commitment in safeguarding the fundamental rights of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI) community and reject all forms of discrimination against them,” anang CHR.

“CHR continues to assert the need to acknowledge the struggle—from seemingly small microaggressions to large-scale acts of abuse, harassment, and violence—that people in the LGBTQI community face daily. The vulnerability to any and many forms of discrimination is more pronounced for sectors living without a specific legislation that protect them against it,” dagdag nito.

Sinabi rin ng Komisyon na sa pagdiriwang ng Pride Month ngayong Hunyo, umaasa silang makakakita sila ng konkreto at seryosong mga hakbang sa pagsusulong ng kalagayan ng sektor ng LGBTQI sa pamamagitan ng mabilis na pag-usad ng equality bill.

“A crucial facet of democracy is to recognise and celebrate the diversity of all individuals. The existence of a SOGIESC equality law is necessary in genuinely upholding equality in our society.” saad ng CHR.

“For as long a segment of the population continues to face discrimination, creating a safe and enabling environment for all cannot be genuinely attained.”

Bukas din daw silang makipag-ugnayan sa mga mambabatas upang mas matugunan ang mga isyu sa nasabing panukala.

“Considering the 23-year pending state of the SOGIESC equality bill, the Commission underscores that its legislation is urgently needed and long overdue,” anang CHR.

“This bill should be viewed by our legislators from the lens of the State’s obligation to be unwavering in pushing for genuine equality in rights and dignity in our society—a context where an individual can be their best selves without their SOGIESC being used against their growth and development,” saad pa nito.