Historic city passes the country’s broadest anti-discrimination ordinance yet
Historic Vigan has become the lastest city in the Philippines to ban anti-gay hate.
The anti-discrimination ordinance (ADO) covering sexual orientation and gender identity was passed in November but was embargoed until last week pending further study.
Like similar laws in other parts of the southeast Asian country, Vigan’s ADO bans discrimination in employment, education, access to goods and services, accommodation, access to public places/facilities/meeting places, and access to commercial establishments.
However, the city went one step further by banning discrimination in political participation, wrongful portrayal and inciting others to commit acts of discrimination.
Quezon City, the largest in the Philippines, banned anti-gay discrimination in October last year.
One of authors of the bill, Dindi Tan, executive director of the Ilocos Sur Pride Council, said she was ‘overcome by emotion and joy.’
‘The heritage city of Vigan takes on a progressive leap as it joins other cities and provinces in the country that have enacted their respective anti-discrimination ordinances,’ she said.
Anyone convicted for the first time under under the ADO will be punished with ‘admonition and a fine of P1,000 ($22.70, 20.05 euros).’
This increases to imprisonment for no more than 10 days and P2,000 ($45.40, 40.10 euros) for a second conviction. A third conviction will be penalized with 15 days in jail and a fine of P5,000 ($113.50, 100.35 euros).
by Darren Wee
Source – Gay Star News
