Uphold non-discrimination: LGBTQI rights are human rights.

As the country celebrates Pride Month, the Commission as Gender Ombud takes the occasion to reiterate that all persons are born equal in dignity and rights. A persons’ sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression should never be the basis of stigma and discrimination.

We note with concern the acts of discrimination committed against a transgender Filipina blogger during the graduation rites in a school in Dasmarinas, Cavite. Lights and microphones were turned off and statements were issued justifying a policy of excluding members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) community as they would desecrate the church’s spaces.

While the Commission recognizes the right of religious freedom, we would like to take the occasion to emphasize the dangers of stigma and discrimination and the risk posed by narratives that cast vulnerable groups as ‘others’ and as ‘unacceptable.’ Such language feeds hate; reinforces existing inequality and bias; and, can further promote acts of discrimination.

The Commission takes the occasion to reiterate that LGBTQI rights are human rights, and calls upon religious organizations to uphold core principles of non-discrimination.