#LipstickWithLove challenge takes over social media in support of LGBT community

Pucker up and show your inner beauty. This is the idea behind the #LipstickWithLove challenge, a social media trend geared towards raising awareness about the challenges that members of the LGBT community face by putting on lipstick and taking a selfie.

In his report on Unang Balita on Friday, GMA News' Dano Tingcungco said that attendees of the "Out in Business: Business Believes in Diversity" held during the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (May 17) enthusiastically joined the challenge.

"Out in Business: Business Believes in Diversity" was presented by the Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the Philippines-Netherlands Business Council to keep the conversation about diversity in professional environments going.

Dutch Ambassador to the Philippines Marion Derckx encouraged the public and especially public servants to support LGBT individuals beyond the challenge by fostering a safe environment for them.

"Business models that value diversity are more successful," she asserted at the event. "Diversity in employment promotes cost-effective employment relations, it enhances customer relations, it enhances creativity, flexibility, innovation in teams, and also it promote sustainable development."

Tingcungco added in his report that although Philippine society is more accepting of members of the LGBT community, the approval of the Anti-Discrimination Bill would help protect them from discrimination in the workplace or physical assault and other forms of violence. Additional legislation is also necessary to help identify hate crimes against transgenders.

The Anti-Discrimination Bill has been in limbo for 18 years. — Aya Tantiangco/RSJ, GMA News