By Onin Miguel Develos / AdDU intern
REYNA ng Davao 2024 winners Rianne Calsa, Gwen Darvin, and Dikko Morano revealed their advocacies and plans to help in the passage of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) bill during the Habi at Kapi media forum last June 26 in Abreeza Mall.
Rianne Calsa, the crowned winner of Reyna ng Davao 2024, reiterated her commitment to pushing for gender equality and inclusivity. She took part in a Mindanao SOGIE Summit, organized by the Ateneo Public Interest Legal Advocacy Center, the Integrated Gender and Development Division group of the LGU, the Philippine Professional Association of Transgender Health, and PSFI.
“We conducted a Mindanao-wide Sogie Equality Summit where all regions of Mindanao came together for a collective goal, which is to urge the congress to pass the SOGIESC equality bill. We have practical applications which will be sent to Francis Tolentino, the committee chair on committee on rules, who is responsible for drafting and reading the bills on congress,” Rianne Calsa said.
Gwen Darvin, first runner-up of Reyna ng Davao 2024, highlighted the lack of recognition from politics despite being tolerated.
She said “We want a safe space to express our femininity and celebrate diversity. We are not asking too much from the community and government. We just want to be recognized and accepted fully.”
Dikko Morano, second runner-up of Reyna ng Davao 2024, focused on the importance of the SOGIE bill in giving jobs and opportunities to the community.
“The SOGIE bill covers our right to be employed in private or public offices regardless of gender or sexual characteristics or identity,” she explained.
Morano wants to further advance this advocacy by working with the right LGU offices and individuals to lead seminars and trainings in Davao City.
When asked why the SOGIE bill takes a long time to be approved, Calsa stated that it is not only of the cultural ties but also within the lawmakers.
“Aside from the religious ties we have in the Philippines, it is also because of the lawmakers as well because of their conservativeness. It is within them that makes it hard for the community to have this SOGIE bill that will really protect our rights but it is for everyone.” Calsa explained.
Morano stated that there is a misconception about the SOGIE bill giving special privileges to one sector.
“SOGIE is for everyone. This bill is regardless of your gender identity and how you identify yourself. It protects your individual rights as a human being, not just specific genders or sexual characteristics,” she said.
