A number of Filipino trans groups have banded together with the government to draft the Lived Identities Recognition Act (LIRA), also known as the Sharmaine Bill.
The bill has been formally filed in the House of Representatives through the office of representative Perci Cendaña from the progressive Akbayan bloc.A number of Filipino trans groups have banded together with the government to draft the Lived Identities Recognition Act (LIRA), also known as the Sharmaine Bill.
The bill has been formally filed in the House of Representatives through the office of representative Perci Cendaña from the progressive Akbayan bloc.
This bill formally seeks legal recognition of transgender peoples’ lived gender identities, and provides them with the right to privacy and non-discrimination through accessible procedures for name changes and gender recognition.
The process of legal gender recognition is essential for trans dignity and respect as it not only provides access to essential services and safety, but it also reduces dysphoria by allowing their lived identities to be officially recognized as well.
In addition to that, it also prevents complications and harassment arising from their identity not matching their official identification.
This amazing progress is spearheaded by the following Filipino trans groups:
- Pioneer Filipino Transgender Men Movement, Inc. (Pioneer FTM, Inc.)
- Society of Trans Women of the Philippines (STRAP)
- Cebu United Rainbow LGBT Sector Inc. (CURLS)
- LAGABLAB Philippines
While the bill is currently officially filed, they still require a lot of support to engage positively with social media posts and news articles about LIRA.
Public sentiment is important because legislators often pay attention to online reactions and discussions surrounding proposed measures.
APTN supports this bill as it will greatly improve the livelihoods and dignity of the transgender and gender-diverse people living in the Philippines.
We highly recommend that Filipino legislators listen to the trans and gender-diverse people who are behind this bill as they are the ones that will be most affected by its passing.
“The Livedentities Recognition Act (LIRA) deserves urgent enactment because transgender and non-binary Filipinos cannot continue waiting for legal recognition that affirms their dignity and protects their rights.
Every day without this law means more Filipinos are denied equal access to employment, education, healthcare, financial services, and other basic opportunities simply because their government-issued documents do not reflect who they are.
This is not only a human rights issue–it is a matter of social justice and economic inclusion. LIRA will provide a clear, accessible, and rights-based process for legal gender recognition, allowing transgender Filipinos to participate fully and safely in society. I urge the President and Congress to certify and pass LIRA without delay because every Filipino deserves to be recognized by the law for who they truly are.”“The Lived Identities Recognition Act (LIRA) deserves urgent enactment because transgender and non-binary Filipinos cannot continue waiting for legal recognition that affirms their dignity and protects their rights.
Every day without this law means more Filipinos are denied equal access to employment, education, healthcare, financial services, and other basic opportunities simply because their government-issued documents do not reflect who they are.
This is not only a human rights issue–it is a matter of social justice and economic inclusion. LIRA will provide a clear, accessible, and rights-based process for legal gender recognition, allowing transgender Filipinos to participate fully and safely in society. I urge the President and Congress to certify and pass LIRA without delay because every Filipino deserves to be recognized by the law for who they truly are.”
Rocky Rinabor
Executive Director of Pioneer Filipino Transgender Men Movement
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