EDITORIAL — Is there really a need?

Last week President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order 51, creating the Special Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Affairs.

"[The] creation of the Special Committee on LGBTQIA+ Affairs under the Inter-Agency Committee aims to strengthen existing mechanisms to address the continued discrimination being experienced by the members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and to provide them an avenue to participate in policy formulation of the government despite the absence of an established body specifically dedicated to promote their rights and address their concerns," part of the executive order read.

Among other functions, the committee will ensure policies, plans and programs that effectively promote equality, equity and non-discrimination, inclusion and well-being of the LGBTQIA+ community and advocate for the protection of the rights and welfare of the LGBTQIA+, including matters related to healthcare, education, employment, legal recognition, and social acceptance.

The special committee shall have a chairperson with undersecretary rank, with three members of assistant secretary rank, all members of reputable organizations representing the LGBTQIA+ community,

Echoing our point raised in a previous editorial about a proposed City Hall office regarding LGBTQIA+ affairs, we pose the question: Is such a national-level committee for LGBTQIA+ affairs really necessary?

What “continued discrimination” are they referring to? Take a look around us, the LGBTQIA+ aren’t exactly being discriminated against.

The Philippines is actually one of the most tolerant countries in the world when it comes to LGBTQIA+ culture. They aren’t being stopped from voicing opinions, or harassed, targeted, or even murdered for being who they are like in other countries.

We only have to look at how many of them are in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and even in the entertainment business. They get the same opportunities and the same chances to succeed or fail as just about anyone else.

Of course, there will always be those who discriminate against them. The same way that there will always be those who discriminate against old people, people who belong to certain religions, or even certain organizations, but there is hardly any massive, coordinated, or organized movement behind LGBTQIA+ discrimination.

With all due respect to the LGBTQIA community, their concerns aren’t at a level that these require a national committee. Money and government resources would be better off spent and used on more urgent and pressing needs.