Ordinance that penalizes hate crimes, discrimination against LGBTQ signed

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama signed an ordinance recognizing and protecting members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community from discrimination and hate crimes on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022.

City Ordinance 2660, authored by Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Jessica Resch, provides the creation of a body named SOGIESC Pride Empowerment Council (Spec) that takes charge of crafting programs and initiatives based on the City’s gender and development plan. Resch is an ex-officio member of the City Council.

The ordinance penalizes individuals for committing offensive remarks or crimes with regards to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).

The ordinance also laid out specific penalties for offensive remarks or crimes that will be done against a member of the LGBTQ community.

These include maliciously humiliating someone in public due to sexual orientation and inflicting physical harm on an individual due to sexual orientation.

Verbal or physical vexing, harassing, or threatening a member of the LGBTQ community can also be penalized under the ordinance.

The ordinance also provides penalties for people who subject an individual to jokes, pranks and humor based on sexual orientation.

Discrimination

Resch’s measure also considers rules or policies that are personal such as but not limited to “no cross-dressing” and haircut policies as forms of discrimination.

The person’s gender identity should not be a reason for denial of access to basic government services, assistance, resources and information.

“With regards to labor and employment, no person shall be dismissed from work because of one’s sex characteristics, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation,” reads a portion of the ordinance.

Those who violate the ordinance will be penalized with three to six months imprisonment and a fine of P3,000 to P5,000 depending on the violation or the discretion of the court.

In a statement given to the City’s Public Information Office, Rama said that the ordinance is timely since the City just recently concluded its celebration of Pride Month.

“This is timely because the City will now have a body that will help fight discrimination among the members of the LGBT and bag-o ra ta na human sab sa Pride month,” said Rama.

Rama added that he was looking forward to approving the ordinance since members of the LGBTQ community deserved to be treated right.