# Community United: LGBTQ+ Filipinos Create First-Ever Thorough Electoral Agenda
*April 28, 2025*
The energy was electric last Friday as representatives from over a dozen LGBTQ+ organizations gathered at Quezon City’s Rainbow Center to unveil what many are calling a watershed moment for queer political participation in the Philippines, the first-ever complete LGBTQ+ Agenda for the upcoming 2025 elections and beyond!
As someone who’s covered countless community events, I can tell you this wasn’t just another press conference. The room was packed with advocates, allies, and political hopefuls all buzzing with excitement over this unprecedented coalition effort led by Bahaghari and Rainbow Rights, with significant contributions from organizations like PUP Kasarinlan and various LGBTQ+ workers’ groups.
“This isn’t just a wishlist, it’s our community standing together and saying ‘our votes matter, our issues matter,’” shared Rey Valmores-Salinas, Chairperson of Bahaghari, as colorful infographics displaying the seven-point agenda were unveiled to enthusiastic applause.
The complete agenda addresses critical issues facing the community, with the SOGIE Equality Bill (affectionately dubbed #AchibDisBill by advocates) taking center stage. The bill, which would provide legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression, has seen renewed momentum as organizations push candidates to make firm commitments.
Beyond anti-discrimination legislation, the agenda boldly tackles healthcare access, economic justice, political representation, and security concerns that disproportionately affect LGBTQ+ Filipinos.
This unified front comes at a crucial time. Just months ago, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) partnered with PANTAY (Philippine Anti-discrimination Alliance of Youth Leaders) to launch Project Rainbow AGENDA, aimed at raising queer awareness for the 2025 elections. That initiative created space for LGBTQ+ community members to share lived experiences and concerns with electoral officials.
“We would also want to be seen as partners in the democratic process and nation-building,” PANTAY National Convener Vince Renzo Liban stated during the COMELEC partnership signing.
The agenda has already sparked important conversations among candidates. At a recent forum at the University of the Philippines Diliman, senatorial hopefuls were directly questioned about their positions on civil unions and anti-discrimination policies for LGBTQ+ Filipinos.
What makes this moment truly special is seeing organizations that sometimes differ on tactics finding common ground. From national democratic organizations to corporate-supported initiatives like the upcoming Philippine LGBTQ+ Gender Spectrum Forum, the community is showing unprecedented unity around electoral priorities.
As OXFAM Philippines has emphasized in their own electoral agenda, “Gender justice is important to end poverty,” calling on leaders to “recognize that LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights”.
With the elections approaching, this agenda isn’t just paper, it’s power. Tag us at #LGBTQVotesPH if you spot candidates responding to the community agenda!
