Equality Alliance Rallies for SOGIESC Bill Certification

The call for equality is rising louder than ever this Pride Month as the Equality Alliance, a broad coalition of LGBT+ groups, human rights defenders, and civil society leaders, steps up its campaign urging President Marcos and the Philippine Congress to finally certify the SOGIESC Equality Bill as urgent. After twenty-five years of legislative limbo, advocates gathered in front of the House of Representatives last weekend, waving rainbow flags and posters that read, “DIGNITY, NOT DELAY,” and, “No More Excuses: Pass SOGIESC Now!”

Why Certification Matters

Certifying the SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics) Equality Bill as urgent would fast-track its passage, prioritizing it over other measures and potentially breaking the pattern of legislative stalls that have plagued it since 2000. According to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) statement for Pride Month 2025, the bill affirms the fundamental rights of all Filipinos, not just the LGBT+ community, and ensures access to services, safety, and justice. The CHR emphasized, “These proposals do not seek to provide undue advantage to the LGBTQI community, but rather to address systemic inequities and ensure a safe and respectful space for all.”

Rallying the Community, Refuting Misinformation

At the heart of the rally, speakers reminded everyone that the fight for SOGIESC Equality is about ending discrimination in schools, workplaces, public spaces, and even within families. Organizers highlighted the persistent disinformation that paints the bill as a “special rights” law for LGBT+ people. “We’re not asking for more than anyone else. We simply want to walk, study, work, and worship in peace, just like every other Filipino,” one activist stated, echoing ILGA Asia’s call to prioritize the bill.

Years of Advocacy, New Momentum

The Equality Alliance’s petition, already endorsed by over 200 national and global organizations, was formally delivered to Congress on June 15, 2025, alongside a unity statement underscoring the urgent need for national law, as local ordinances alone can’t cover every Filipino. Groups like PANTAY and the Amianan Pride Council also brought messages of hope and resistance from communities outside Metro Manila, stressing that “equality is for all, not just for a select few.” As values-based campaigners put it, “The SOGIE Equality Bill is for the benefit of everyone and does not grant special rights to a particular group of people.”

What’s Next for SOGIESC?

While the bill remains stalled in Congress, the pressure is on. The Equality Alliance vows to keep the momentum alive, rallying even more Filipinos to the cause. “Certification isn’t just a procedural step, it’s a promise that every Filipino, regardless of SOGIESC, deserves to be treated fairly under the law,” said lead convenor Lea Manalo. As the nation celebrates Pride and awaits the start of the 20th Congress, the message is clear: True equality cannot wait another year.

Know Your Rights

Even without a national law (yet!), some protections exist through strong local ordinances. Stay updated, connect with trusted organizations, and don’t be afraid to speak up. Every action, every signature, every rally, every ally, brings us closer to the inclusive, just Philippines we all deserve.