Looking back at the approval of a Senate panel of the SOGIESC-based Anti-Discrimination Bill and the Manila Anti-Discrimination Ordinance, 2020 has been an important milestone for the battle of the LGBTQIA+ community for recognition and equality—and Benilde has been active and open in this issue.

Recognition vested in the law

Passing a law is not just about the representation and acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community in Congress, but it is also an avenue to protect their rights and well-being regardless of their gender identity.

Last December 9, the Senate panel approved Senate Bill No. 1934, also known as Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression and Sex Characters (SOGIESC) Equality or Anti-Discrimination Bill that intends to restrict and prohibit the discrimination, marginalization, and violence committed in terms of SOGIESC. This bill is spearheaded by the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros. Other senators who signed in favor include Senators Nancy Binay, Leila de Lima, Imee Marcos, Grace Poe, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Minority Leader Franklin Drilon.

According to the study of United Nations Development Programme and the International Labour Office, the Philippines has one of the highest rates of SOGIESC workplace discrimination with over 30% of the LGBTQIA+ community. Moreover, the weight of the crimes and cases of injustices to LGBTQIA+ individuals, specifically Donna Nierra’s death, Jennifer Laude’s death and Joseph Pemberton’s release, and the arrest of Pride 20 during the Pride March, showcase the country’s continuous attack on human rights of the community.

“The law should not discriminate based on religion, gender, status in life, among other things,” Benilde Hive (BHive) adviser Ms. Dayanara Cudal stated in an interview with The Benildean.

Nonetheless, the ban against gender discrimination took its earlier steps in the capital as Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno signed Ordinance No. 8695 or the Manila LGBTQI Protection Ordinance of 2020 last October 29, joining a few of the country’s cities like Quezon City having anti-discrimination ordinances in fighting SOGIESC-based biases in their local jurisdictions.

Moreover, Benilde President Br. Edmundo “Dodo” Fernandez FSC mentioned in an interview with The Benildean, “I think everybody, every person regardless of gender [or] sexual orientation has a right to be happy and has a right to fulfill his own person his own personhood [through] who he is [or] who is he or she called to be. And if that [means] he or she is part of the [LGBTQIA+], I think he or she deserves all the rights in the world [just like any other person].” 

Religion is not a barrier 

Religion has always been used as a counterargument in the oppression of the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly the conservative Catholicism prevailing in the country. However, leader of the Roman Catholic Church Pope Francis expressed his support for laws focusing on same-sex civil unions that caused a huge discourse between the Church and its constituents, although the Pope has always been vocal on his support towards the community in terms of their rights.

The Pope’s statement was highlighted in a documentary titled “Francesco” by director Evgeny Afineevsky that was released on October 21.

“Catholic Church has, for years, treated LGBTQIA+ members as enemies of the Church. But Pope Francis has been consistently expressing his support for the LGBTQIA+ community, notably in 2013 when he said, “If [gay people] accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them?” and in 2016 when he said the Church owes gay people an apology,” Ms. Cudal cited. 

Despite such recognition and support, the difference between civil union and marriage is not clearly defined for some, which is taken out of context despite that recognition of same-sex civil unions still adheres to the Church’s teachings.

“Pope Francis was saying that they are allowed to be together in a civil union [but] people misinterpreted that as the Church changing its stand. The Church isn’t changing its stand--he is really just saying or reiterating in the scripture that everybody is welcome in the kingdom of God, whether you are [part of the] LGBTQ+ or not. You have all the rights of a regular person and therefore to them [the Church] you have the right to be married in a civil union,” Br. Fernandez FSC clarified.

Moreover, former Benilde Hive President Mirielle Rodolfo stated in an interview with The Benildean that “Pope Francis recognizes the difference between civil union and marriage, which is commonly mistaken for being the same. Same-sex civil union gives LGBTQIA+ couples the same benefits that heterosexual couples experience; the difference is that the government will not associate this with the Church.”

The statement of the Pope is more than just a remark but rather an avenue that religion and the Bible is not an excuse to ignore the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, emphasizing for hopes of a cultural shift in a Catholic and conservative country like the Philippines.

“As a Catholic, bisexual woman who is in a committed relationship with a female partner, I too dream of marriage... Love is not exclusive to those who are recognized by one religion, and we shouldn't impose one's religious practices on all individuals, especially those who are not part of the said religion,” Ms. Cudal highlighted.

Benilde’s footsteps towards acceptance

DLS-CSB is optimistic in progressing the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community as a Catholic institution. 

“Because we are inclusive, we do not discriminate anyone. We are a school where everyone is welcome: whatever gender, sexual orientation, [or] physical disability, we try to be as inclusive as we can,” Br. Fernandez FSC added. He also mentioned that the existence of an LGBTQIA+ organization in the College, particularly BHive being the first accredited LGBT organization of all Lasallian schools in the Philippines, tells much about the openness and inclusivity that Benilde stands for.

The Benilde President mentioned that the statement of the Pope is a “reaffirmation of [Benilde’s] identity as an institution that is inclusive that is open to everybody.” However, he emphasized that it does not just only focus on the LGBTQIA+, but for everybody. “[With its] inclusive nature […], we accept people of all types,” Br. Fernandez FSC stated.

When asked about his opinion about BHive in one of the initiators who spearheaded the signing of the Manila LGBTQI Anti-Discrimination ordinance, Br. Fernandez FSC said that he is delighted and mentioned that it is a good step for awareness in the advocacy. He also felt assured that the organization is doing well as a reflection of the College’s inclusive legacy.

"I am happy that Benilde Hive takes the initiative to bring about that to encourage that kind of thinking not just in our school but in the whole environment and city of Manila and the fact that they did that is something very good. I think people should continue to encourage everybody to be open in their thinking and their attitude, not just about LGBTQIA+ but (also) about pretty much everything to be a bit more open in their own thinking in the way they do things,” he added.

“We, in BHive, founded the organization as a safe space for all individuals, especially LGTBQIA+ community members who have experienced unfortunate insistences of rejection from family members, peers, and other groups,” Ms. Cudal said.

“Together we can truly become an inclusive school that sees no discrimination in race, gender, sexuality, religion, etc.,” Rodolfo added. 

Fight far from over

The shift and openness in the progression of acceptance and equality for the LGBTQIA+ community still has a long way ahead but the achievements this year are a good start to change the mindset of the Filipinos.

“I think our LGBTQ+ Community has grown acceptance as they are already represented in the Congress but having said that, we are nowhere near the other countries in terms of understanding acceptance and embracing,” Br. Fernandez FSC pointed out, consequently adding that this is just the start and it needs to continue to make a difference.

“They say change doesn't happen overnight, so this statement definitely puts the conservation in the spotlight; something we should have done a long time ago,” Ms. Cudal stated.

Nonetheless, this year’s bearing fruit of the years of hard work and sacrifices to fight for their rights, is just a start to protect and amplify the voices left unheard, injustices still uncovered, and lives that had been scarred just because of their SOGIESC, paving the way towards gender sensitivity and equality in showing that love will prevail amongst all.

“Regardless of our sexuality and gender, we are still humans and children of God. Hopefully, this changes the view of those who oppose the LGBTQIA+ community and see us as we are, human beings,” Rodolfo stated.

Lastly, Ms. Cudal emphasized that “in a time when we shouldn't condone hate, love shall triumph; it only takes a collective action to advocate for everyone's rights.”