SKF president pushes for LGBTQ+ recognition

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Councilor Jessica Resch has proposed an ordinance recognizing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex or Questioning (LGBTIQ+) sector and creating the SOGIESC Pride Empowerment Council (SPEC) in the city.

SOGIESC stands for Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, Sex Characteristics.

Resch, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation (SKF) president, has referred the proposed measure to the City Council’s Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Styling for review.

“This measure seeks to recognize the vibrant and visible LGBTIQ+ sector of the city and to eliminate barriers on their full development as individuals due to marginalization because of their sex characteristics, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation,” read the proposed ordinance.

“This measure grants LGBTIQ+ individuals the relief from the daily constraints, discrimination and violence they have been experiencing,” it added.

Section 9 of the proposed measure provides the SOGIESC-based contemptuous acts committed against individuals resulting in or through disregard of their right to respect, privacy, and dignity are maliciously humiliating in public an individual due to the person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics and/or civil status whether said, done, or written in a comical or serious manner; maliciously inflicting physical harm on him/her; vexing, harassing, threatening the individual, either physically, verbally, in writing, or for publications about to the person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics.

Section 11 states that the city, through the SPEC, shall sponsor trainings, seminars, advocacy events, and other projects in areas of but not limited to SOGIESC’s active participation, sustainable sectoral development and empowerment, equitable access to quality education, competitiveness in economic opportunities, support for environmental protection, health and anti-drug abuse, among others, that build capacities of SOGIESC communities to further individual and sectoral development that can contribute the promotion of equality and sensitization.

The city government shall also establish an office to implement the programs set in the ordinance to be known as SPEC.

The SPEC shall be composed of the mayor or its authorized representative as chairperson; Committee on Social Welfare and Services; Association of Barangay Councils President; Head, Department of Social Welfare Services; city-wide Gender and Development (GAD) Federation President; city-wide SPEC Federation, among others.

Its functions include serving as core advocacy on SOGIESC empowerment and development; finalize three-year strategic plan anchored in the city’s GAD plan; monitor and evaluate the implementation of the strategic plan, among others.

Barangays under the jurisdiction of the city shall create, determine the composition, and convene their respective barangay’s SPEC six months after the approval of the ordinance.

Barangay SPEC shall be composed of the Barangay Captain; chairperson, Committee on Social Services; GAD Focal Person; representatives from lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender group.

Once approved, the amount of P1.5 million shall be taken from the General Fund annually for the implementation of the measure. This budget should be over and above five percent of the GAD budget.

The City Legal Office, with the designated City SPEC executive director, shall promulgate the rules and regulations pursuant to this ordinance within 60 days after the passage. — FPL (FREEMAN)