In Cebu City, discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) population is now a punishable violation.

Ordinance No. 2660, enacted by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, specifies penalties for those who ridicule someone in public or cause bodily injury to someone because of their sexual orientation.

Harassment and verbal or physical threats directed toward LGBT individuals are also prohibited by the code. It also prohibited jokes and pranks on gender identification.

Violators will face 3 to 6 months in prison and a penalty of P3,000 to P5,000, based on the seriousness of the offense and the court’s discretion.
The legislation also called for the establishment of the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression, and Sex Characteristics Pride Empowerment Council (SPEC), which would be in responsible for protecting the LGBT community’s rights.

The SPEC is also charged with developing programs and activities in accordance with the city’s gender and development objectives.

“I look forward to this because they deserve to be treated right,” Rama remarked.

Jessica Resch, an ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Kabataan, wrote the law.