Special body on LGBTQIA+ affairs created

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has issued an executive order reconstituting the Inter-Agency Committee on Diversity and Inclusion and creating the Special Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) to strengthen existing mechanisms to address the continued discrimination against the community.

Executive Order 51, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Dec. 22 by the authority
 of the President, also aims to provide the LGBTQIA+ an avenue to participate in policy formulation of the government.

Marcos said the committee will continue to perform its functions under its existing mandates and may create, convene and reorganize sub-committees and/or working groups to assist in the performance of its functions, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.

The Special Committee on LGBTQIA+ Affairs will be under the Inter-Agency Committee with a rank of an undersecretary with three members with the rank of assistant secretary, who shall all be appointed by the President from among members of the reputable LGBTQIA+ community.

The order likewise seeks to reinforce the Diversity and Inclusion Program (DIP).

“President Marcos saw the need to reinforce the DIP and reconstitute its Inter-Agency Committee ‘to ensure the country’s continuous compliance with its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,’” the PCO said.

The Inter-Agency Committee on Diversity and Inclusion will be headed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, based on the EO.

The secretaries of Migrant Workers and Labor and Employment will co-chair the committee while the Interior and Local Government secretary will serve as vice chair.

The Education secretary will serve as a member along with the secretaries of the Justice and Health, and the chairpersons of the Commission on Higher Education and the Special Committee on LGBTQIA+ Affairs.

At a gathering in Malacañang attended by the President in June, the LGBT Pilipinas proposed the creation of an advisory body or commission on LGBTQIA+ affairs to increase visibility and representation in the bureaucracy.

The LGBT Pilipinas is the only Securities and Exchange Commission-registered national alliance of LGBTQIA+ organizations, networks and allied groups across the country.

The passage of a national anti-discrimination law is still being deliberated on in Congress.

The UN Human Rights Council recommended last year for the Philippines to pass a gender equality bill and other similar measures protecting the LGBTQIA+ community.