BY MINKA TIANGCO
Members of the LGBTQI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex) community are very much welcome in the country’s capital city.
This is so after Manila Mayor Isko Moreno signed an anti-discrimination ordinance for members of the LGBTQI community on Thursday afternoon.
City Ordinance No. 8695 or the Manila LGBTQI Protection Ordinance of 2020 was enacted in line with Moreno’s “inclusive policy,” the ordinance read.
“It is hereby the declared policy of the City of Manila, being the premier and capital city and thus the window of the country, to guarantee full respect of the dignity of every individual and their human rights by effectively eliminating any and all forms of discrimination against LGBTQI solely on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity, expression thereby giving more substance to the equal protection principle as enshrined in the Constitution,” it added.
Domagoso said he will ensure that members of the LGBTQI community will be treated equally and with respect during his administration and said he recognizes their contributions to society.
The ordinance bans people from denying or limiting access to employment and schooling opportunities; denying goods, services, and accommodation; and revoking any accreditation, recognition, and registration to members of the LGBTQI community on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.
It is also now prohibited by Manila laws to subject members of the LGBTQI community to physical, verbal, and written abuse, even on social media, on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.
The Manila Gender Sensitivity and Development Council (MGSDC) will be established to oversee the proper implementation of the ordinance, coordinate with national government agencies for the promotion of gender awareness, and conduct trainings and livelihood programs for members of the city’s LGBTQI community.
Each barangay will also be mandated to set up an LGBTQI Assistance Desk that will receive complaints and facilitate programs for the said community.
Those who were discriminated for their actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity and expression may file a complaint before their barangay chairman.
If the incident happened in their school or workplace, they may file the complaint at the barangay where the school or workplace is located.
Violators will be penalized with a P1,000 fine or six months imprisonment for the first offense.
Second-time offenders will be fined P2,000 or will be jailed for up to eight months.
For the third offense, violators will be slapped with a P3,000 fine and up to one year imprisonment.
Subsequent violations will be punished with a fee of P5,000 or one year imprisonment.
Violators will also be required to undergo a human rights and gender awareness education by the MGSDC for a period to be determined by the court.
The ordinance also said that three years after its enactment, every establishment that is open to the general public will be mandated to set up gender neutral bathrooms.
Those with large establishments with several conform rooms will be made to designate a specific floor where gender neutral bathrooms will be located.
This will be a condition precedent for the renewal of business permits.
