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on the issue of equal protection under the law. 28In 2012, the Supreme Court launched a pilotprogram to train trial judges on SOGIE (sexualorientation, gender identity and genderexpression) issues, 29 employing leaders fromlocal LGBT legal-advocacy organizations. Thelong-term effect of this training in producingfavorable changes in the judicial treatment ofSOGIE issues will, however, not be evident forthe next few years.At present, neither pro-gay nor anti-gay politicalcamps have been able to have their respectiveagendas formalized in government policy. Theproposed Anti-Racial, Ethnic and Anti-ReligiousDiscrimination Act of 2011 has yet to be passed,with some senators objecting to the inclusionof sexual orientation and gender identity in thebill. 30 Anti-gay advocates, on the other hand,have to date been unsuccessful in legislatingagainst same-sex marriage, and indeed have generatedlittle widespread attention when picketinggay Pride events. 31The state’s negligence in upholding the humanrights of and providing protections for LGBTpeople is reflected in the passive stance that thePhilippines has adopted on SOGIE issues inthe United Nations. Despite pressure from civilsociety activists within the Philippines, in 2013the government did not join discussions on and28 SC Jay Rempillo, “Ang Ladlad is Qualified Party-ListCandidate” (April 2010), accessed October 29, 2012, http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/publications/benchmark/2010/04/041003.php (page discontinued)29 “Gov’t institutes for judges to develop LGBT knowledge,”Outrage, accessed February 13, 2013, http://outragemag.com/online/govt-institute-for-judges-to-develop-lgbtknowledge/.30 IAR Silverio, “Anti-discrimination bill faces rough sailingin Senate,” Bulatlat.com, 2012, accessed February 13, 2013,http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/08/30/anti-discriminationbill-faces-rough-sailing-in-senate/.31 Laurindo Garcia, “Manila beams with pride, despitedebut of anti-gay protesters,” Fridae, December 8, 2008,accessed October 29, 2012, http://www.fridae.asia/newsfeatures/2008/12/08/2168.manila-beams-with-pridedespite-debut-of-anti-gay-protesters.chose to abstain from voting in support of a UNdeclaration calling for an end to extrajudicialkillings based on sexual orientation. 32 Previouslythe Philippines also abstained from voting on alandmark resolution in the UN Human RightsCouncil in 2011 that affirmed the universality ofhuman rights, condemned violence and discriminationon the basis of sexual orientation, andrequested the High Commissioner for HumanRights to prepare a global study on violence anddiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientationand gender identity. To date, President Aquinohas not made a definitive policy declaration onSOGIE-related rights, instead making tokenreferences to LGBT people, such as in a mediainterview conducted during an official state visitto Washington, DC in 2011 in which he statedthat adults “should be able to do whatever youwant as long as you don’t harm anybody else.” 33While negligence characterizes national-levelresponse to SOGIE-related issues, some stateagencies and local-level governments haveimplemented policies aimed at formalizingprotections for LGBT people. The PhilippineCommission for Human Rights (CHR), thenation’s independent human rights institution,and its counterpart in the presidential palace,the Presidential Human Rights Committee(PHRC), have undertaken a range of projects incollaboration with LGBT CSOs with the aim ofmainstreaming human rights for LGBT peoplewithin the broader human rights agenda. Localanti-discrimination ordinances are now in placein Quezon City, Cebu City and Davao City,and will soon be enacted in Bacolod City. Inaddition, the Civil Service Commission issueda memo on the inclusion of SOGIE in governmenteligibility examination requirements.32 Zamboanga Journal, “Defend gay rights in UN statement,progay tells Manila, Zamboanga Journal, accessed February13, 2013, http://zamboangajournal.blogspot.com/2011/02/defend-gay-rights-in-un-statement.html.33 “PNoy sympathizes on gay rights, not gay adoption,” AgenceFrance-Presse, September 21, 2011, accessed October 29,2012, http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/09/21/11/pnoysympathizes-gay-rights-not-gay-adoption.12VIOLENCE: Through the Lens of Lesbians, Bisexual Women and Transgender People in Asia

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