Philippine celebs come out in support of LGBT equality |

Philippine celebrities have been comin&PLJAU=-*j*9u1SZq24WT_C2h#cIy6UP(K$Q91N43PeBKM76OXg out in support of LGBT rights as a bill to protect rights continues to stall in the nation's congress.

A long-awaited bill that would criminalize discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity expression (SOGIE) is one of the slowest-moving bills in the nation's history.

Senator Risa4tkr=ZK80hKw9K_iTHSDA*1_)K!&VNH)ASXjWuCadK%vH09yYj Hontiveros filed the bill in 2016. And, lawmakers and rights activist originally drafted the law nearly 20 years ago.

The House of Representatives pasgwZbBTZJkJ&hr2QG(pY2E7GFC!5D&Kow!gX%5vhfTx0+nNaSM=sed the bill in 2017 with unanimous support from 198 lawmakers.

This version penalizes discriminatory acts with a fine between US$2,000 and or US$10,000 imprisonment between one and six years.

But, chykGH0RdRrC2@j7oy&k(akJVgDlC!a9BMEs*vAD(QAgbeHg+Jgonservative lawmakers, including anti-LGBTI boxer Manny Pacquiao, have stalled it in the Senate.

Actress, TV hoyf1xbOR8Pc9)x&qbUD)3ZPMc@(c%O8(!TBzJTj#!0zm9&6NUrrst, and renowned socialite Heart Evangelista took to Instagram to support the bill, saying "Equality is everything".

Equality is everything. 🏳‍🌈 I am #ComingOut4Equality to support the SOGIE Equality Bill to protect the rights and welfare of the LGBTQ+ community. A little goes a long way. Our support means the world. ❤

Equality is everything. 🏳‍🌈 I am #ComingOut4Equality to support the SOGIE Equality Bill to protect the rights and welfare of the LGBTQ+ community. A little goes a long way. Our support means the world. ❤

Flipino-Australian actress, model, television host AnKH62K+U6S6xTR3&XnC_(w^a@ZOTLLlr5R6YYa&v6_X1SzMk=uine Curtis-Smith-Heussaff said "It breaks my heart and saddens me that people are so against the passing of the bill when in fact, it all boils down to equal rights as HUMAN BEINGS" in an Instagram post.

With the SOGIE Bill hearing recently happening and with such a heated discussion ongoing about it being passed. I just want to share my thoughts. I am an ally of the LGBTQIA+ Community and have been open about that for years. I have friends and family wh

With the SOGIE Bill hearing recently happening and with such a heated discussion ongoing about it being passed. I just want to share my thoughts. I am an ally of the LGBTQIA+ Community and have been open about that for years. I have friends and family wh

Angelina Mead King, a transgender businessperson and wife of TV personality Joey Mead King, said: "The bill, once passed into law, ensures equal access of everyone to social services, education, and emplna&_Xr&VVVrOfgxMdw^lD(6aDHzbiX5hIlOlv*=9jQ6(tbH_qXoyment."

Hello everyone! I need your help to create awareness about the SOGIE Equality Bill it aims to protect the rights & welfare of everyone against discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity & expression. The bill, once passed into law,

Hello everyone! I need your help to create awareness about the SOGIE Equality Bill it aims to protect the rights & welfare of everyone against discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity & expression. The bill, once passed into law,

Model and beauty-pageant winner Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, meanwhile, said "very effort creates ripples of positive change that we need to finally stop stigma and discrimination (both external and within the community itself)" and shared an image explaining the differences between gender identity and sexual orientation.