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- Twitter users pointed out that they failed to see how the community is “special” and “elite” as members continue to experience discrimination.
The House Committee on Women and Gender Equality recently held a hearing on the SOGIE-specific Anti-Discrimination Bills, Lawyer Lyndon Cana of the Coalition of Concerned Families of the Philippines (CCFP) was called out by netizens after stating that the LGBTQ+ community is becoming a “super special, elite class.”
The hearing focused on the 16 Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bills and there were 25 resource persons present.
Cana then expressed his reasons as to why they are against the SOGIE Bill and proceeded to ask how the straight community can benefit from the bill.
“What is in the bill for the straight community? Do they have an identity? There is not even an attempt to protect them,” he asked Bataan First District Rep. Geraldine Roman who is the committee’s vice-chair.
“With respect to the LGBT community, while we respect them, while we love them, nagiging super special elite class siya compared to the rest of the community.”
These remarks earned the attention of netizens, who started the hashtag #SOGIEEqualityNow which immediately became one of the top trends in the country.
A netizen asked if the LGBTQ community has been “elite,” why have institutions and churches discriminated against them?
“Asking for human rights that we shouldn’t have to fight for isn’t too much. Only those who fear equality are oppressors.”
ELITE CLASS? TELL ME WHY I'VE BEEN DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BY INSTITUTIONS AND CHURCHES!!! asking for human rights that we shouldn't have to fight for isn't too much. only those who fear equality are the oppressors. https://t.co/V4wUKTDdSK
— anya (taylor's version) (@missanyaaaaa) November 4, 2020
“What? So now asking to be treated fairly and wanting right is us being elite?” a netizen asked in response to Cana’s statement.
super special and elite class compared to the rest??? what??? so now asking to be treated fairly and wanting right is us being elite??? fuck off https://t.co/VZSBrpLYRK
— stef 回⁷🥕 (@0UTR0LUV) November 4, 2020
Another Twitter user decided to put a bit of humor to his disbelief by attaching a GIF of K-Pop group TWICE’s song ‘Feel Special’.
anu daw???? Special??? https://t.co/rGh9YLpNUE pic.twitter.com/eInMp7r6Zk
— geIs (@amateriaboy) November 4, 2020
They also pointed out how people are losing their lives because of their sexuality.
https://twitter.com/Sakuatsusimp/status/1323978304022487040
“The LGBTQ community is a marginalized community. This call for basic human rights – I don’t think this is a characteristic of an ‘elite class,'” a netizen said.
https://twitter.com/nnaahsirt/status/1323944741528989696
Another Twitter user stated that they’re only asking for the bare minimum.
https://twitter.com/thexaus/status/1323907774602858496
Cana was also called “irresponsible and ignorant” by a netizen for his statement.
IRRESPONSIBLE AND IGNORANT. SINCE WHEN DID ASKING FOR EQUAL PROTECTION ELEVATE PEOPLE INTO A "SUPER SPECIAL, ELITE CLASS"?? https://t.co/bDEXMUMDF7
— mandu support | jensoo au 📌 (@bestgirljisoo) November 4, 2020
“LGBTQ members are being discriminated every f*cking day! Some are being bulled!ed, some are being killed. How is that special?”
https://twitter.com/raiisforrosie/status/1323875808876797952
A Twitter user then shared screenshots of articles showing discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community.
⭐ 𝖘𝖚𝖕𝖊𝖗 𝖘𝖕𝖊𝖈𝖎𝖆𝖑 𝖊𝖑𝖎𝖙𝖊 𝖈𝖑𝖆𝖘𝖘 ⭐ https://t.co/RdixOMcozK pic.twitter.com/MzcVQhxiHc
— bashgita on bluesky 🦋 (@bashgita) November 4, 2020
The SOGIE Equality Bill or House Bill 6294 aims to penalize acts of discrimination due to people’s sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.
