SOGIE is an acronym for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression.
There are several bills which have been drafted to address the question of alleged discrimination against the “community” of male and female homosexuals and those who consider themselves to be transgender.
The word “transgender” does not appear in the 2000 edition of the Oxford English-American dictionary. We used to speak in terms of “cross-dressers” but the sex-reassignment surgery industry has expanded greatly in this millennium.
The medical profession feels free to speak about many aspects of our lifestyles. Perhaps it should also talk authoritatively about transgender accommodations, including the need for regular hormone treatment and follow-ups after surgery. Are there possible dangers or other adverse consequences? If so, what are they? The Hippocratic oath instructs doctors: “First, do no harm.” Is sex reassignment surgery harmless?
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Both the House of Representatives and Senate have produced draft SOGIE bills which are currently being considered. There are at least five such bills (House Bills 134 and 136, and Senate Bills 159, 412, 689).
Last week there was a Senate hearing to discuss the legislative aspects (if any) of the SOGIE concept.
For example, SB 412 introduced by Sen. Imee R Marcos seeks to prohibit discrimination on the basis of SOGIE. Areas of discrimination which would become illegal if SB 412 were passed would include both public and private sector employment.
Existing labor law covers alleged employer misconduct and it is not clear that SOGIE makes useful additions.
Sec. 4 of SB 412 says, in part: “It should be unlawful for any person, natural or judicial to discriminate on the basis of SOGIE by denying access to public services, including military service.
I regard this is overreach. The AFP should be empowered to implement its recruitment policy as it sees fit. After all, AFP is held responsible for its performance.
SB 412 Sec. 8 says in relation to the PNP:
“The Women and Children’s Desk now existing in all police stations shall be renamed as Women, Children and LGBTQ+ Protection Desks.”
Again, an overreach. The PNP should be able to make its own decisions.
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We know little about the origins of homosexuality in an individual. Is it always inborn or can it be cultivated, on occasions, by environment? The recent film, “Bohemian Rhapsody” touches on this topic. The main character, Freddie Mercury, lead singer of the pop group Queen, was initially portrayed as exclusively and enthusiastically heterosexual. He was, however, insecure. His insecurity was noticed by a predatory homosexual who corrupted him. Is this fantasy or reality?
Sexual predators, both homosexual and heterosexual, abound. The English-speaking world (including England, Ireland, Australia, United States) has been rocked by homosexual predators who exploited orphans and those with weak family support systems.
Recent investigations have discovered the enormity of abuse together with the unwillingness of relevant organizations to cooperate with legitimate inquiries. The adverse effects on children’s lives were permanent. Former Cardinal George Pell was recently found guilty of child abuse in Australia.
For me abuse is far more serious that anything found in SOGIE legislation.
Allegations of abuse have recently been made against single-sex closed communities such as seminaries, convents, boys’ homes, girls’ homes, and prisons.
These communities would benefit from being more open to visitors.
The proposed SOGIE legislation would not help to prevent the manifest injustices and corruption in our unfair society.
Legislators should think harder about the real problems and how these can be solved./PN
