PHILIPPINES: House Of Representatives Votes 198-0 To Include LGBT Citizens Under Anti-Discrimination Laws

Finally some good news out of the Philippines.

ABS-CBN News reports:

The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on third and final reading a bill that aims to protect the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Lawmakers voted 198-0 in favor of House Bill No. 4982 or the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression Equality (SOGIE) bill.

The measure prohibits and penalizes discriminatory acts by a fine not less than P100,000 and not more than P500,000, or imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years, or both. It mandates existing women’s desks in police stations to be renamed as Women, Children, and LGBTQ++ Protection Desks, to attend to complaints.

The measure also orders establishments to make available their existing toilets with facilities designated for persons with disabilities as gender-neutral toilets. It also prohibits publishing information seeking to reveal a person’s SOGIE without their consent.

A similar bill in pending in the Senate.