Duterte Welcomes LGBT Group For First LGBT Reception In Malacañang
DUTERTE WELCOMES LGBT GROUP – On Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte welcomed the LGBT group, LGBT Pilipinas Inc. in Malacañang.
![Duterte Welcomes LGBT Pilipinas, Inc. In Malacañang](https://philnews.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/79542941_10158179237181977_9124505231185412096_o.jpg)
In the tightly conservative country that the Philippines is, this is truly a milestone. This would be the first-ever Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Reception held in the Palace.
During his message, Duterte emphasized his support for the community. He expressed that everyone regardless of their sexual preference or orientation has to right to have a voice and be recognized in society.
In addition, the President highlighted that the dignity of all human beings must be protected. Afterward, the president shared that he had signed an executive order for the benefit of the LGBT community.
![Duterte Welcomes LGBT Pilipinas, Inc. In Malacañang](https://philnews.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/79788568_10158179237161977_7823267016810168320_o.jpg)
He said that he had signed the EO to institutionalize the Diversity and Inclusion Program. This meant that there would be an inter-agency committee on diversity and inclusion for different purposes.
According to an article from ABS-CBN, last September, Duterte gave his word that he would certify a law against discrimination. We could recall that the SOGIE bill was still pending in the Senate.
The Sexual Orientation Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) bill was a heated issue after the temporary detention of transgender woman, Gretchen Diez. However, it was still a highly debated topic.
![Duterte Welcomes LGBT Pilipinas, Inc. In Malacañang](https://philnews.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/80836329_10158179237511977_5594341241165709312_o.jpg)
On one hand, you had Senators like Risa Hontiveros, author of the SOGIE Bill, that said that the bill is the “best policy tool” of protecting members of the LGBT community from being discriminated.
However, Senators like Vicente “Tito” Sotto III was against the said bill. According to him, some of the provisions could lead to the end of religious and academic freedoms.
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