The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and more (LGBTQ+) community will be free from discrimination and their rights will be protected under the Marcos administration.

In a weekly vlog uploaded on his official Facebook page on Saturday night, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. made the assurance as joined the celebration of Pride Month and pledged equal treatment for LGBTQ+ members.

“Ang Pride Month, ito ang pagtataas natin ng bandera ng ating mga LGBTQ+ community. Mahalaga na patuloy ang pagsuporta, pagrespeto, at pagkilala sa kanilang mahalagang ginagampanang bahagi sa ating lipunan (Let us raise the flag of the LGBTQ+ community this Pride Month. It is important to give them the continued support, respect, and recognition of their vital role in our society),” he said.

Pride Month is an annual global event which takes place every June.

Marcos said the Philippines, as a “new and free” country, should be open-minded and promote inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community.

He said LGBTQ+ members deserve acknowledgement as they excel in their chosen career paths.

“Ang kanilang hindi matatawarang kontribusyon sa iba’t ibang larangan, nakikipagsabayan sa kaninuman, ang mga responsable at walang kapagurang tagapagtaguyod ng pamilya at tahanan. Palakpakan natin sila at ipagmalaki dahil sa kanilang pagsasabuhay ng husay at galing ng ating mga Pilipino (Their contributions to different fields are immeasurable. They are responsible and serve as breadwinners of their family. Let us praise and recognize them for showcasing their talents and skills),” Marcos said.

“Sa bagong Pilipinas, ang Pilipino ay malaya. At sa bagong Pilipinas, ang Pilipino ay malawak ang isipan at malaya sa diskriminasyon o pagkutya. Iyan ang mensaheng patuloy nating paiigtingin (In the new Philippines, the Filipinos are free. In the new Filipinos, the Filipinos are open-minded and free from discrimination. That is the message that we will continue to strengthen),” he added.

The LGBTQ+ community is also hoping for the passage of the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Equality Act.

It has been approved by the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality in May after the panel accepted the substitute bill, a consolidation of eight measures, crafted by the technical working group.

The anti-discrimination bill on the basis of a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics, however, excludes denial of license to marry as a discriminatory act.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, on the other hand, sees no urgency in passing the measure and reverted it to the Committee on Rules, which he chairs. (PNA)