
Country Overview
Philippines
At a glance
Same-sex Relations for Men Legal Throughout the Country?
Same-sex Relations for Women Legal Throughout the Country?
Legal Gender Recognition Possible?
LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?
Actions Related to SOGI at the UN:
2016: Abstained from Voting IE SOGI
2019: Supported IE SOGI
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LGBTIQ people in the Philippines and the issues they face enjoy broad political support. However, this does not translate to policies that guarantee the protection of LGBTIQ people from abuse, violence and discrimination. To this day, there is no specific law that tackles domestic violence committed against LGBTIQ people. Individuals and groups that advocate for marriage equality and legal gender recognition through litigation have not been successful in their efforts to change the legal landscape around the issues. LGBTIQ people remain largely invisible in social legislation and development policies. The Anti-Discrimination Bill still languishes in Congress. However, in some cities and provinces, local anti-discrimination ordinances have been passed. Media representation of LGBTIQ people has significantly changed in the past years along with the proliferation of alternative media that showcase queer lives in a more accurate manner. Queer spaces have also grown and enjoy considerable support and patronage.
Global Impact
Sub-Saharan Africa
Outright supports LGBTIQ organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa and works with mainstream human rights organizations to respect human rights and influence positive changes in laws, policies, attitudes, and beliefs that cause discrimination against LGBTIQ people on the continent.
United Nations
Our work at the United Nations centers around advocating for the advancement of the rights of LGBTIQ people.
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Our work in Asia promotes acceptance of sexual and gender diversity at all levels of society.
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In the Middle East and North Africa, we partner with local groups in various countries as part of our international solidarity work. We also work with our local partners on different topics through capacity building, advocacy, research and holistic security.
Europe and Central Asia
Outright International partners with activists to fight for an end to human rights violations based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in Europe and Central Asia, where most of our work involves emergency responses to harassment, discrimination, violence, and most recently, Russia’s brutal and expanded invasion of Ukraine.
Americas
Our work in the Americas continues to build on the fundamental and positive transformation of human rights protections in recent years. We partner with groups in the Caribbean that focus on ending gender-based violence and eradicating discrimination against trans people.
Pacific
Our work in the Pacific aims to increase visibility of activists, respond to human rights emergencies, and actively bridge local, regional and international activism to achieve equality and justice.
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Human Rights Research
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