Rappler's latest stories on LGBTQ+ rights
'Pride 20' fights back, accuses MPD of illegal arrest, sexual harassment
'Gamit ang dahas, pananakot, at pananakit, pa-traidor na binuwag nila ang aming mapayapang pagkilos,' says the so-called Pride 20 in their complaint against 32 Manila policemen
SC's deference to Congress on same-sex union 'dooms marriage equality'
A paper published by UP Law criticizes the 2019 decision of the Supreme Court junking a same-sex marriage petition mainly due to technicalities, and says it was 'an abdication of its function as a Court'
Being trans in tech: Championing equality with Google’s Melai Lopez
'Never let anyone tell them that they do not belong in a certain space'

‘Is this the new normal?’ Catriona Gray questions Pride march arrests
‘Now is the time to speak up,’ Miss Universe 2018 urges her followers

'Hindi makatarungan': Artists, celebrities speak out vs arrest of Pride march protesters
On social media, several artists and celebrities condemn the arrests and call for the release of the protesters

C’mon guys, it’s 2020: Debunking LGBTQ+ stereotypes
To this day, LGBTQ+ members still experience prejudice and endure stereotypes that may harm them

On Pride Month, Pia Wurtzbach calls for 'higher platforms' for LGBTQ+ dialogue
'Being an ally is someone who gives a sense of a safe and affirming space for our loving community,' says Pia

Catriona Gray on allyship: 'To be better allies, we need to educate ourselves'
'Being an ally starts with small acts every day,' says Catriona

Kevin Balot 'sorry for confusion,' walks back on beauty pageant statement
'Thank you for all your comments and bubulay-bulayin ko po lahat yun para ma improve ang way of thinking ko,' says Kevin, who was crowned Miss International Queen 2012

Daniel Radcliffe speaks up in support of transgender, nonbinary persons
The 'Boy Who Lived' releases a statement through the Trevor Project – an organization that provides support for LGBTQ+ youth

Panama's gender-based virus rules rebuked after transgender abuse
Panamanian authorities decree in early April that men could only leave home to go shopping on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with women allowed to do so on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

Short of blood, U.S. relaxes restrictions on gay donors
The change also applies to women who have had sex with gay or bisexual men, as well as to people who have received a tattoo or piercing

Russian LGBT activist faces porn trial for vagina drawings
Amnesty International declares Yulia Tsvetkova a prisoner of conscience facing 'absurd charges'

QC children's agenda will address mental health, LGBT discrimination
Other items on the agenda include bullying, teenage pregnancy, and sexual harassment, among others

Majority of Filipinos believe trans women shouldn't use ladies' toilet – SWS
The Social Weather Stations holds the survey over a month after transgender woman Gretchen Diez was barred from using the ladies' toilet at a Cubao mall
U.S. Supreme Court to take on gay and transgender rights in the workplace
Ria Tabacco Mar of the American Civil Liberties Union says it is up to the Supreme Court to stop the LGBTQ community from being 'relegated to second class status'

Rappler Talk: Challenges faced by SOGIE equality bill at the Senate
Rappler talks to Senator Risa Hontiveros, lead author of the SOGIE equality bill at the Senate, on how she plans to fight misinformation on the measure

Advocates urge discussions on SOGIE 'from point of love and impartiality'
Amid heated discussions on the SOGIE equality bill, a group of LGBTQ+ advocates and allies explore the power of empathy through proactive education

Is it dangerous or about love? Church groups split over SOGIE bill
Koko Alviar of the Aglipayan Church says his faith teaches him to 'exist in a community of love.' Coalition of Concerned Families of the Philippines lawyer Lyndon Caña argues that gender identity is a mere 'feeling' and not a fact.

Sotto: 'If you are a man, you will never be a woman'
Senate President Vicente Sotto III maintains that the SOGIE equality bill, in its current form, is not likely to get enough support in the Senate

Fight for same-sex marriage in PH still alive despite Supreme Court ruling
'(The ruling) did not resolve anything about same sex marriage, the opinions expressed there will not be controlling,' says Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin
A look at SOGIE anti-discrimination laws around the world
Anti-discrimination laws aid in protecting members of the LGBTQ+ community as it strives towards achieving equality for all

TIMELINE: SOGIE equality in the Philippines
The fight for equality and anti-discrimination for the LGBTQ+ community is one that has known almost two decades of legal struggle

[ANALYSIS] SOGIEnomics: Why fighting for LGBTQ+ rights makes economic sense
Most Philippine companies cannot be said to be LGBTQ+-friendly

Duterte wants '3rd restrooms' for LGBTQ+
But not all LGBTQ+ rights advocates, including Gretchen Diez, think 3rd restrooms are the solution to discrimination

Vice Ganda urges government to create LGBTQ+ bathrooms
'Kung hindi kami matatanggap, bigyan kami ng CR. Gusto lang po naming umihi at dumumi. Yun lang yun,' says the TV host

Coming out? Gretchen Diez gives some advice
Transgender woman Gretchen Diez says she is lucky to have parents who immediately accepted her for who she is. Acceptance by society is another story.

Gretchen Diez files discrimination complaint vs Araneta Center
Gretchen Diez asks the Quezon City Pride Council to conduct a formal investigation into the incident

Gretchen Diez urges Duterte: Certify SOGIE equality bill as urgent
‘Mister President, naumpisahan na natin. Sana ipagpatuloy na natin ang pagpapasa sa SOGIE equality bill,’ says Gretchen Diez

Gretchen Diez: 'God is love. Love does not hate, love accepts.'
'You cannot limit the power of God's creation to only men and women,' says transgender woman Gretchen Custodio Diez

Why not use Homo sapiens? 'We have discrimination,' says Gretchen Diez
'Discrimination is supposed to be a beautiful word, having the ability to identify right easily recognize people. But instead of recognizing people, recognizing differences, we tend to use it against each other,' says Gretchen Custodio Diez

Malacañang: We have to respect LGBTQ+ rights
But the Palace is vague on whether it would certify as urgent the SOGIE bill pending in Congress

Catriona Gray rallies behind Gretchen Diez: LGBTQ+ rights are human rights
'The whole argument of shifting the blame to the victim for reasons of being trans to justify abuse is still victim blaming and is not right,' says Catriona

Rappler Talk: Gretchen Diez on living her truth
For Gretchen Custodio Diez, the fight for equality is far from over. Watch the interview live on Rappler.

#SOGIEEqualityNow: Transgender restroom issue sparks call for passage of SOGIE bill
The arrest of transgender woman Gretchen Custodio Diez triggers public outcry and pressures lawmakers to pursue the anti-discrimination bill

Fire janitress? LGBTQ+ party calls for SOGIE awareness instead
LGBTQ+ Partylist points out how the incident shows a need to improve training and education about sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in the Philippines

Roman to LGBTQ+: 'Demand from gov't what is due us as human beings'
Bataan 1st District Representative Geraldine Roman and the Makabayan bloc formally file a resolution seeking a probe into the harassment of trans woman Gretchen Custodio Diez

Farmers Plaza apologizes to Gretchen Diez, distances from errant employee
'We hope this isolated incident, clearly a mistake committed by an agency worker not organic to our company, does not define our lasting good relations with all our customers,' Farmers Plaza management says in a statement

Vice Ganda, Ice Seguerra defend Gretchen Diez: 'Kailan pa kaya lalawak ang pang unawa sa LGBTQ+?'
'This is a real concern – na hangga't hindi mo pa nararanasan, isasawalang bahala mo lang,' says Ice

Groups to QC gov't: Enforce anti-discrimination ordinance
An incident of discrimination against a transgender woman in Quezon City triggers calls for change from politicians and businesses alike

Joy Belmonte condemns Cubao mall's disregard of QC Gender Fair ordinance
This comes after the Farmer's Market mall in the Araneta Center blocked trans woman Gretchen Custodio Diez from using the women's restroom

Geraldine Roman vows House probe vs LGBTQ+ discrimination
'The LGBT community might be a minority, but they are still Filipinos whose rights have to be protected, and we as members of Congress have to stand up for equality,' says Geraldine Roman

Trans woman Gretchen Diez: I didn't think I'd be treated like a criminal
(UPDATED) The janitress who prevented Diez from using a women's restroom drops her complaint against Diez, but the transgender woman vows to 'pursue legal action'

Trans woman arrested after being blocked from using women's restroom in Cubao
(3rd UPDATE) Police say Gretchen Custodio Diez was arrested for going live on Facebook while inside a female restroom

Support pours in for trans woman after workplace discrimination tweet
'It's clearly transphobia. I have been wearing [clothes] appropriately to the best of my understanding. And I have been doing my job well,' says 21-year-old trans woman Aeron Jade Parena

'Tolerated, but not accepted': Filipino LGBTQ+ speak up vs discrimination
Abandonment and being neglected by family members are typical narratives for the LGBTQ+

Where do 2019 senatorial bets stand on key national issues?
When the senatorial campaigns kick off, check the candidates' claims against this list of issues that have so far made headlines in 2018

'Spot a gay' list in Malaysian newspaper sparks outrage
The list, published Friday, is swiftly met with derision online, while campaigners warn it could further stoke animosity against LGBTQ groups, who have been increasingly targeted with violence and discrimination in recent years
