The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) lauds the commitment ceremony for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) couples organized by the Quezon City (QC) government. The event aims to celebrate the love of LGBTQI couples and conveys assurance of the protection of their rights in accordance with the city’s Gender Fair Ordinance.

It is commendable that the QC government consistently holds events that mainstreams the plight and stories of the vulnerable LGBTQI community. It is also a concrete way to support them as it helps create a safe and enabling space while empowering the said sector to assert their rights.

CHR also continues to support the QC’s Gender Fair Ordinance, which aims to protect citizens from any form of discrimination such as verbal or non-verbal abuse and refusal of services due to one’s gender identity. Passed in 2014, this is the first local policy in the country that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression or SOGIE. In recent years, more local government units (LGUs) followed the example of QC by passing their own anti-discrimination ordinance. Through such measure, establishments and events have become more inclusive and any form of discrimination can be dealt accordingly by the concerned LGUs.

The Commission is hopeful that this kind of support from LGUs shall pave the eventual attainment of equal rights and protection for LGBTQI members through the passage of the pending SOGIE Equality Bill. Pending a national law, we also hope that more LGUs will implement ordinances that advance the rights and dignity of the LGBTQI sector, who are among the most vibrant and productive members of our society.