Like many LGBT advocates, I’m wondering whether the Anti-Discrimination Bill is going to be passed or get passed over this 17th Congress. The Anti-Discrimination Bill (H.B. 4982 by Kaka J. Bag-ao, Geraldine B. Roman et al. & S.B.N. 1271 by Risa Hontiveros) is a piece of proposed legislation that would make discrimination on the basis of real or perceived sex, age, class, status, ethnicity, color, disability, religious and political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression punishable by law. The bill is also popularly known as the SOGIE Equality Bill.
What if the bill doesn’t pass into law? Not all hope is lost. The popularization of anti-discrimination ordinances ensures that LGBT Filipinos are offered some protection, granted your area is covered. Below is a list of anti-discrimination ordinances from across the Philippines.