By: Xyrel James Canonoy
Copyedited by: Stacie Marie Catallo
Graphics by: Kristel Floralde
One of my favorite dishes is Lumpiang Shanghai. Its golden-brown wrapper crackles with each bite when freshly cooked, revealing a medley of ground meat and vegetables. Its crispy exterior offers a delightful counterpoint to the tender filling, creating a dance of textures and flavors. Yet, like all fried delicacies, its brilliance is ephemeral. Left unattended, its once-crisp wrapper succumbs to time, becoming soggy and limp. The vibrant crunch dissolves into a disappointing mushiness, a haunting reminder of its lost potential if only it had been savored at its peak.
Much like this culinary delight, a bill that sounds like “soggy” was crafted to be a fresh, impactful measure, ensuring equality and protection for all individuals.
The Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Equality Bill, formerly known as the Anti-Discrimination Bill, has languished in the Senate for 24 years, a chilling testament to the slow crawl of progress in the chamber. It aims to protect individuals from discrimination based on their sexual orientation: who a person is attracted to; gender identity: how a person sees themselves; expression: how a person presents themselves to the world; and sex characteristics: the physical traits a person is born into. Yet, despite its noble intent and the urgent need for its passage, the bill remains a prisoner of legislative inertia, a casualty of endless debates and deliberate delays.
As the legislation remains stuck, it mirrors the fate of those rolls left too long: once full of promise, now suffering from neglect. How long must we wait for equality to be served on a ready platter?
Contrary to the belief that the bill grants the LGBTQIA+ community special privileges, everyone has their own SOGIESC. It is a fundamental aspect of who we are as individuals. It’s as unique and personal as our favorite color or food. To get straight to the point, the measure does not seek special privileges for the queer community but rather positions itself as a legal aid that ensures equal rights, opportunities, and protection against discrimination and violence based on one’s individuality. Concerns have also been raised that the bill could be misused to file baseless discrimination claims, potentially burdening the legal system. However, human rights lawyer Atty. Chel Diokno noted, “The fear of misuse should not prevent us from passing a law that protects fundamental human rights. Proper mechanisms can be put in place to address any potential misuse.”
Consider the heartbreaking reality faced by graduating senior high school students Nicole, Kendi, Jade, and Rey, as shared by Ms. Mela Habijan on Facebook. They were denied attendance at their graduation ceremony in June 2022 simply because they weren’t allowed to wear dresses and were required to cut their hair. These students, who identify as transgender, were forced to conform to rigid gender norms, stripping them of their right to express their gender identity on what should have been a celebratory day. This isn’t just an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of discrimination that countless individuals face daily. Imagine the emotional turmoil and the message it sends to those who are already vulnerable. A 2019 survey by the Rainbow Rights Project and Metro Manila Pride revealed alarming statistics: 62% of LGBTQ+ youth aged 18–24 reported experiencing discrimination based on their SOGIESC. Shockingly, more than half of these incidents, at 51%, occurred within the public school system. This widespread discrimination not only erodes the educational experience of LGBTQ+ youth but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes and prejudices.
Additionally, the Philippine Corporate SOGIE Diversity and Inclusiveness (CSDI) Index of 2018 revealed that no single Philippine-based company has implemented policies to safeguard their employees from discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. This stark reality shows that without explicit workplace protections, employees are left vulnerable to unfair treatment, harassment, and exclusion. Such environments can lead to decreased job satisfaction, lower productivity, and higher turnover rates. Moreover, this gap in protection can deter talented individuals from joining these companies, ultimately affecting the diversity and innovation within the workplace.
Furthermore, discrimination in public spaces and services is another widespread issue. In 2018, a same-sex couple was denied entry to a popular restaurant in Manila because the management did not “allow” LGBTQ+ couples.
These instances of discrimination in schools, workplaces, and public spaces highlight the urgent need for legislative protection. Each story is a poignant reminder of the personal and societal costs of inaction.
They say that justice delayed is justice denied. This frustrating impediment of a simple bill that could protect our identity is as much a denial of our existence.
As a child who always felt disappointed when favorite rolls became waterlogged, the idea that they could be fried again to restore their crispness was comforting. Now, as a teenager, there is a yearning for a similar assurance. Just as culinary care can transform something seemingly lost, it is never too late to salvage and strengthen the bill’s bright promises and potential.
We’ve always been taught how important laws are. They form the foundation of a fair and just society, safeguarding the rights of every citizen. Our nation is built on these regulations. But when a crucial bill meant to protect identities collects dust in delay, it impairs this foundation and threatens the very principles of justice and equality we strive to uphold. The road to equality might be a distant reality, but we can’t afford to wait any longer.
The SOGIESC Equality Bill, like the crisp of Lumpia it resembles, needs to be served before it loses its flavor, before the promise of equality remains a wish for some.