NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE THIQPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
Senate
of tI)C ^ecvi'tarp
*22 JUL18 PI 45
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
DECLARING MAY 17 OF EVERY YEAR AS THE NATIONAL DAY AGAINST 
HOMOPHOBIA, BIPHOBIA, TRANSPHOBIA AND PHOBIAS FOR PERSONS 
OF DIVERSE SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION, 
OR SEX CHARACTERISTICS (SOGIESC)
EXPLANATORY NOTE
On May 17, 1990, the World Health Organization declassified homosexuality 
as a mental disorder.1 This occasion is the cuimination of a decades-long campaign 
from queer activists, doctors and medical practitioners who have dedicated their 
lives to ensuring that homosexuals are not viewed and treated differently from their 
heterosexual counterparts.
To refer to May 17, 1990 merely as a historic day would be a gross 
understatement. To our queer brothers and sisters, that day meant everything. It 
meant that they can begin living their lives normally, and without fear of 
prosecution. It meant that that they can keep working in their chosen professions 
without being subjected to prejudice and oppression. But most of all, it meant that 
they can be free to be who they truly are.
But the fight of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, 
intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) brothers and sisters is far from over. Up to this 
day, they still face numerous setbacks in their lives just by virtue of their sexuality. 
For choosing to be true to themselves, most face economic ruin, social exclusion and 
physical threats, while some are even killed.
By celebrating May 17 of every year as the "National Day Against 
Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia and Phobias for Persons of Diverse Sexual 
Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, or Sex Characteristics," we are signaling 
to everyone belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community that they have nothing to be 
fearful about. No matter who they are, our country is prepared to provide them with 
the necessary safe space where they can thrive and achieve their full potential.
1 Barns, S. (2005, April 5). May 17th is the Inti Day Against Homophobia. International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, 
Trans And Intersex Association, web.archive.org/web/20140704014026/http://ilga.org/ilga/en/artide/546
1


The bill also enjoins all government offices, private institutions, schools, 
colleges and universities to extend their full support for the activities to be 
conducted in the observance, promotion and protection of the human rights of 
LGBTQIA+ persons. Further, the Commission on Human Rights and the Philippine 
Commission on Women are tasked to issue the necessary guidelines for this annual 
observance. The cooperation of everyone is necessary because it takes a village to 
create the safe space every human being deserves.
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
GRACE


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIUPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 7
Senate
of ti)f isecrctat'p
•22 JUL18 Pr45
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
DECLARING MAY 17 OF EVERY YEAR AS THE NATIONAL DAY AGAINST 
HOMOPHOBIA, BIPHOBIA, TRANSPHOBIA AND PHOBIAS FOR PERSONS 
OF DIVERSE SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION, 
OR SEX CHARACTERISTICS (SOGIESC)
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembied:
1 
Section 1. In accord with the observance of the International Day against
2 
Transphobia and Homophobia, which was first commemorated on May 17, 1990
3 
after the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from Its International
4 
Classification of Mental Disorders, the "National Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia,
5 
Transphobia and Phobias for Persons of Diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity
6 
or Expression, or Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC)" shall be observed in the Philippines
7 
on May 17 of every year in recognition of the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual,
8 
transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, and asexual or allied (LGBTQIA+)
9 
persons in the country and the need to end the discrimination, oppression and
10 
intolerance they are faced with In society.
11 
Sec. 2. All government offices, private Institutions, schools, colleges and
12 
universities are hereby enjoined to extend their full support for the activities to be
13 
conducted in the observance, promotion and protection of the human rights of
14 
LGBTQIA+ persons. The Commission on Human Rights and the Philippine
15 
Commission on Women, as lead agencies, shall issue jointly the necessary guidelines
16 
for this annual obseivance through a multi-media information campaign.
1


1 
Sec. 3. Effect/vity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its online
2 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,