Pass the Anti-Discrimination Act in Philippines Congress now!

ONE LOVE, ONE CALL, HUMAN RIGHTS FOR ALL
Support the Anti-Discrimination Act of 2010 (House Bill 1483)

Discriminationary acts against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) citizens in the Philippines are rampant yet are largely unreported and not provided corrective measures. Gay men are constantly harassed by police officers, transgendered women are not allowed to use their prefered gender on identity papers, and lesbians are paid lower wages. These are the result of the lack of protective laws that can punish discrimination and allow the courts and government agencies to receive complaints.

We are asking you to support our campaign ONE LOVE, ONE CALL, HUMAN RIGHTS FOR ALL! to help us make the Philippines a welcoming country for our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) countrymen.

In August 2010, BAYAN MUNA Representative Teodoro Casino filed House Bill 1483 or An Act Defining Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Providing Penalties Therefor. If this becomes law, LGBTs will enjoy equal rights in education, jobs, housing and many other social benefits.

Among the many good features of House Bill 1483 include:

> ensuring LGBTs get hired without discrimination in all jobs, services and industries with equitable pay, benefits and promotions
> making schools a safe and accepting environment for students regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity
> providing equal access for LGBTs to enjoy health care, housing, transportation and social services without prejudice
> making discrimination against LGBTs an act that can be reported to the government authorities and penalized so that discrimination can be eliminated

We need your help in getting our honorable representatives in the House of Representatives to pass this bill through the Committee on Justice quickly so that the entire House can vote this bill and send it to the President for signing. You can do this by calling or sending polite request letters to the Committee secretariat.

You can use the Draft Letter below as a guide. You may copy and paste this on an email or print letter and send ito the Committee on Justice.

To make sending your mail more convenient, you can click on this link http://www.congress.gov.ph/contact/popform.php?re=sendemail&to=member&id=F043&congress=15 and paste or type your message.

If you have time, please do call the Secretariat and tell them you wish the Committee to act fast on House Bill 1483.

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SAMPLE LETTER (you can add your views)

Hon. Rep. Niel Tupas, Jr.
Chair
Committee on Justice
House of Representatives
Batasan Road, Quezon City

Attention: Atty. Narcisa Guevarra
Committee Secretary

Dear Hon. Tupas:

I am writing your good office to request the immediate deliberation and passage of House Bill 1483, "An Act Defining Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Providing Penalties Therefor" which was referred to your committee last August 2.

The bill filed by Rep. Teddy Casino seeks to end both practices and policies that limit the basic rights and freedoms of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBTs) in schools, offices, commercial establishments, health care institutions, the civil service, police and military. Your committee's action to prioritize this bill will hasten the achievement to equal status of LGBTs in the country.

The enactment of HB 1483 into law will not only improve the participation of LGBTs in nation building, but will likewise make the country compliant with several conventions and treaties in the United Nations that the Philippines ratified, including the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

Thank you for giving this letter your utmost attention. Looking forward to your favorable response.

Signed,
YOUR NAME
City/Town, Philippines or country of residence

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR SENDING

To send this email to the House Committee on Justice, please click on this link

http://www.congress.gov.ph/contact/popform.php?re=sendemail&to=committee&id=0520&congress=15

It may also help to make a polite phone call to Committee Secretary Atty. Narcisa H. Guevarra at telephone no. 9315001 local 7160, Telefax no. 9513027

If you prefer sending snail mail, the mailing address is:

Hon. Neil C. Tupas Jr.
COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE
3/F Annex Building,
House of Representatives,
Quezon City,
Philippines

For more information on House Bill 1483, visit this website: http://www.congress.gov.ph/press/details.php?pressid=4694

Thank you very much for helping us make the country a better place for LGBTs.

For inquiries email to baguiopride.net@gmail.com