MANILA, Philippines — Four lawmakers filed the Lived Identities and Recognition Act or Sharmaine Bill on Tuesday, which aims to give transgender and intersex Filipinos the right to change their names and gender based on their lived gender identities.
"For many trans and intersex Filipinos, their names cause ridicule and discrimination. They are often mocked and laughed at because of the names that are on their legal documents," Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña said in Filipino and English in a statement.
"This is why we filed the Sharmaine Bill. If we immediately understand that Sharmaine is the name that an orange on TikTok wants, we can also extend the same understanding to our trans and intersex siblings," said Cendaña who filed House Bill 9929 with fellow Akbayan Representatives Jose Manuel "Chel" Diokno and Dadah Kiram Ismula with Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao.
"The bill aims to establish a clear statutory authority to recognize lived identities on the basis of gender identity. It provides an accessible administrative procedure for name change and gender recognition. It protects the right to privacy and non-discrimination. It declares that all persons, regardless of gender identity, are equal before the law and entitled to the same dignity, protection, and recognition,” they said in the bill’s explanatory note.
