Manila Mayor Isko Moreno signs pro-LGBTQIA+ rights ordinance

Mayor Isko Moreno has signed an anti-discrimination ordinance for the LGBTQIA+  community in Manila. 

Ordinance No. 8695 has been set forth “for the protection of the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, queers, and intersex in the city of Manila against any and all forms of discrimination solely on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, expression (SOGIE), and providing penalty for violation thereof.”

Here's a copy of the ordinance:

Any LGBTQIA+ member who experiences discrimination spelled out in the ordinance may report to the barangay chairman “where the resident of the violator/s is/are located,” it read. “In the event the prohibited acts were committed in the workplace, schools, universities, and similar establishments, the complaint shall be filed in the barangay where the said workplace, schools, universities and establishment is located.”

Violators will be fined Php 1,000 and/or asked to face jail time of six months for the first offense, Php 2,000 and/or jail time of six months and one day to eight months for the second offense, Php 3,000 and/or jail time of eight months and one day to one year for the third offense, and Php 5,000 and a one-year jail time for succeeding offenses.

Another important thing to note is the provision of gender-neutral toilets in comfort rooms of various establishments within three years of its passage.

Last year, Moreno had pedestrian lanes painted with rainbow colors at the corner of Arroceros and Natividad to declare his support for the queer community. “Pinangako ko sa LGBT society that we just want to show you in our own little way how sensitive we are with your plight,” he said in a Facebook video. “We want to make you feel that you are part of the society with regard to the policy of the city government of Manila.”

Article thumbnails taken from Mayor Isko Moreno's Instagram account