Discriminated, arrested, red-tagged? There’s a new queer legal guidebook for that

British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils receives a Pride-themed painting by the late Justin Nuyda at the launch of "Justice with Pride" at her residence in Makati City. Photo by Andrea G. Zubiri (AGZ Photography), assisted by Jana Gamin.

Navigating the law as a lay person can be difficult as is, but even harder for minorities like LGBTQIA+ people who continue to face threats, such as hate crimes, unlawful arrests, and even red-tagging.

Fortunately, there's a new practical step-by-step guidebook that helps queer individuals and allied civil society advocates when these legal emergencies happen.

Titled “Justice with Pride: LGBTQIA+ Community Legal Guidebook in the Philippines”, this guide serves as a practical resource for individuals and civil society organizations seeking immediate and informed legal guidance.

Alvin Toni Gee Fernandez, executive director of Mujer LGBT+ Organization through which the guidebook was created, said it is a “much-needed resource to strengthen the resilience of LGBTQIA+ human rights defenders.”

“Access to justice and legal protection are crucial because we continue to face widespread discrimination—often without any meaningful recourse, especially in areas like Mindanao and the BARMM,” Fernandez said in a press release.

The guidebook contains guidance on recent legislation, including the Anti-Terrorism Act, the Safe Spaces Act, local anti-discrimination ordinances, and other newly enacted or amended laws.

“Having anti-discrimination ordinances, national laws, or any legal protections is not enough if they remain theoretical or only on paper,” said Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi Vice Mayor Dayang Sahali at the launch of the guidebook at British Ambassador Laure Beaufils’ residence in Makati. “These laws must be accessible, used, and felt by the communities on the ground.”

Sahali is the first to champion and pass an anti-discrimination ordinance with protections for the LGBTQIA+ community in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Rhadem Musawah of Mujer LGBT+ Organization speaks at the launch of "Justice with Pride" at the British Ambassador's residence in Makati City. Photo by Andrea G. Zubiri (AGZ Photography), assisted by Jana Gamin.

Despite the reputation of the Philippines as one of the friendliest countries for queer people, hate crimes, violence, unlawful arrests, red-tagging, and even denial of healthcare, education and employment “remain part of the daily lived experiences of many LGBTQIA+ Filipinos,” Fernandez said.

He added, “Too often, when we seek help from authorities, we are met with further prejudice, inaction, or even secondary victimization.”

“Justice with Pride” was developed by Rhadem Musawah through the Mujer LGBT+ Organization, in collaboration with TrustLaw, the Thomson Reuters Foundation, and SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan, with support from the British Embassy Manila.

The guidebook can be accessed through the TrustLaw website and will soon be distributed in print to LGBTQIA+ civil society groups across the country.