Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama signed an ordinance, which recognizes members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community and creates a body that will protect and look after their welfare.
Known as SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics) Pride Empowerment Council, the local government said the body’s main task is “to uphold basic human decency and penalize those who violate it.”The council will create programs and initiatives anchored on the city’s gender and development plan, the local government said.
Inflicting physical harm and publicly humiliating anyone based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics or civil status are among the acts punishable under the ordinance.
Vexing, harassing and threatening whether verbally or physically as well as subjecting a person to jokes, pranks and humor based on sexual orientation are also punishable offenses.
Violators face imprisonment of three to six months and fine ranging from P3,000 to P5,000.
The ordinance also calls for the creation of the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression and Sex Characteristics Pride Empowerment Council, which shall advocate for empowerment and development of the sector.
The council said that it will also conduct an information drive to raise awareness on issues concerning the LGBTQ community.
With additional report: The Freeman
