Question & AnswerQ&A (QUEZON CITY ORDICE NO. SP-2357, S-2014)
The title is 'The Quezon City Gender-Fair Ordinance'.
The main objective is to eliminate all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (SOGIE) and to ensure the dignity and human rights of all persons are respected and protected.
'LGBT' refers to a diverse range of identities based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression, including but not limited to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons and gender and sexuality non-conforming persons.
Discrimination includes any distinction, exclusion, restriction, or preference based on actual or perceived SOGIE that impairs or nullifies a person's human rights and freedoms in employment, education, accommodation, delivery of goods and services, and other areas.
Prohibited acts in employment include denying rights to training, promotion or remuneration; exclusion from labor unions; workplace harassment or violence; and dismissal based on actual or perceived SOGIE.
Violators may face imprisonment of not less than 60 days but not more than 1 year, and/or a fine of at least Php1,000 but not more than Php5,000, in addition to any other applicable criminal, civil, or administrative action.
It prohibits educational institutions from denying admission, access to benefits, expelling, or subjecting students to penalties or harassment based on actual or perceived SOGIE.
Employers must comply with minimum wage and benefits for LGBT employees, encourage annual gender sensitivity training including SOGIE topics, disseminate and post the ordinance, and provide facilities such as all-gender restrooms.
QCPC has oversight functions including monitoring complaints of discrimination, providing legal and psychosocial assistance to victims, documenting cases, recommending anti-discrimination policies, and reviewing existing policies to eradicate discriminatory provisions.
The ordinance mandates the Quezon City government to ensure non-discriminatory, gender-sensitive health services, development of gender-sensitive health care modules, establishment of LGBT desks in hospitals, and training for health workers to address the specific needs of LGBT persons.