CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - The city government here on Monday held a seminar on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression (SOGIE) to further empower members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The activity is part of the advance celebration of Pride Month held every June.
The seminar, conducted by Atty. Aloi Renz Santos, chief of the legal division of the Commission on Human Rights Region III, discussed the importance of understanding SOGIE.
It aims to stop discrimination among all genders and promote the rights of every individual.
SOGIE is defined as the person’s preference in publicly presenting their gender. This include their behaviour and outward appearance such as dress, hair, make-up, body language and voice, as well as their chosen pronoun.
Mayor Vilma Caluag also urged LGBTQIA+ members to continuously participate and be involved in the city’s programs.
A symbolic manifesto strengthening the partnership of the local and different sectors led by the LGBTQIA+ for the city’s progress was signed during the activity.
The city government vowed to empower, give knowledge and involve the said group in the programs of the city and protect them from discrimination and hate through the said manifesto.