Gretchen Diez: Sotto's remark on fate of SOGIE bill is insensitive

Transgender woman and LGBTQ+ rights advocate Gretchen Diez slammed Senate President Vicente Sotto III for his remark that the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression Equality (SOGIE) bill has "no chance" in the Senate.

"I think it's very insensitive coming from a high official to say 'no chance'," Diez said at the Kapihan sa Eurotel Media Forum in Quezon City.

Sotto, on Thursday, said that the upper chamber could pass an anti-discrimination bill but not the one that is focused on members of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community).

"Anti-discrimination on persons pwede. Pero focused on gays, which the SOGIE bill is, and religious and academic freedom impeded plus smuggling of same sex marriage? No chance!" the Senate president said.

Diez, who figured in a viral video showing gender prejudice at a Quezon City mall, said Sotto's remark is very insensitive for those who experienced discrimination for being a member of LGBTQ+ community.

"'Yung mga ganyang pahayag like no chance, there's no possibility, very negative remarks coming from senate president when you listen to words coming from reputable people, people with high power and position it becomes 100% true to some people," she said.

"Nakikita at nababasa 'yun ng mga bata na confused sa kanilang mga pinagdadaanan and saying no chance... meaning, wala kang tsansa na magkaroon ng pantay na karapatan katulad ng isinusulong ng mga kababaihan at mga kalalakihan how would you say that to the families of these victims of discrimination?" she added.

Sotto has since clarified that SOGIE will not pass in Senate "IF' it  transgresses on academic freedom, religious freedom and women’s rights."

Footage  of Diez being handcuffed and brought to the police station after being barred from using the women's restroom has prompted a heightened focus on the the SOGIE bill.

The SOGIE Equality bill seeks to protect the members of the LGBTQ+ community from discriminatory acts. —LBG, GMA News