Abeleda, Maria Claireana A. Atty.

Rickee Brieva
2019-80047 September 26, 2019
Block 2

“Open Letter to those Opposing the Sexual Orientation

and Gender Identity and Expression Equality Bill (SOGIE Bill)”

I know why you harbor extreme hate towards them. I know you think of them as someone
who is completely out of touch with reality. I know you think that they are going to spread their
“disease” to the majority. But this very community that you put down, is just like the rest of us.
They too are human, and like every other human, they too want their basic human rights.
Do you remember how happy you were when you got accepted into the school you’ve
dreamt of attending since you were young? How about the time you got accepted into that job
you wanted so badly? Remember how easy it is for you to leave your house, walk along the streets.
Think of how lucky you are to be able to freely express yourself and never for once feel that your
life is at risk because of who you are. These are some of the basic human rights that we are fortunate
to have, but unfortunately our brothers and sisters from the LGBTQIA+ community are deprived
of.
The SOGIE equality bill according to Ma. Jiandra Bianca F. Deslate in her article about
the SOGIE equality bill defines it as an anti-discrimination bill that prohibits unfair treatment on
the basis of a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. It contains the practices
considered to be discriminatory and unlawful under the bill, like the denial of rights to LGBTQIA+
community on the basis of their SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression
Equality), such as their right to access public services, right to use establishments and services
including housing, and right to apply for a professional license, among others. Differential
treatment of an employee or anyone engaged to render services, denial of admission to or expulsion
from an educational institution, refusal or revocation of accreditation to any organization due to
an individual’s SOGIE will also be penalized.
Ask yourself: “Do these people deserve the same rights that I have?”. The SOGIE Bill does
not give special rights nor does it favor the LGBTQIA+ community. You are included. This is
your fight too. Don’t you think that it’s about time to change the way you think about issues like these.
Perhaps try something new. For instance, you could try acceptance and love.

Bibliography:

• Deslate, Ma. Jiandra Bianca F. “SOGIE Equality Bill”. Retrieved from

https://divinalaw.com/sogie-equality-bill/