Catholic student councils back anti-LGBT discrimination bill

Student councils of seven top Catholic universities in Metro Manila have signed a manifesto asking the Senate to approve the bill that would ensure protection of members of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.

In a rare show of unity, the heads of the student councils of the Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University-Manila, De La Salle College of St. Benilde, Miriam College, St. Scholastica’s College-Manila, San Beda University and the University of Santo Tomas signed a joint statement supporting the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) bill.

“Brought up on the Christian values of love and acceptance, and as leaders and representatives of students in Catholic academic institutions, we urge the Senate’s leadership and its members to stop the delay on the SOGIE Equality Bill and move for its approval,” read the statement.

The student councils noted that the bill has been scheduled for debate 26 times, mainly due to planned interpellation of Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senators Manny Pacquiao and Joel Villanueva.

“It’s time to end the debate,” said the student councils, noting that the bill is now being subjected to one of the longest interpellations in the history of the Senate.

The student councils noted that members of the LGBT community have been suffering from discrimination every day. “LGBT persons live in constant fear of being stigmatized, harassed and, in many document cases, killed due to hate,” read the statement.

“Every day with discrimination, members of the LGBT community are deprived of the full enjoyment of their rights,” it added.

The House of Representatives has already approved on third and final reading a similar version of the bill.