- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Banned
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Illegal
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✔ Legal
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Hate Crime Protections
- Varies by Region
- Discrimination
- Varies by Region
- Employment Discrimination
- Varies by Region
- Housing Discrimination
- Varies by Region
- Adoption
- ✖ Single only
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✖ Not banned
- Military
- ✔ Legal
- Donating Blood
- ✖ Banned (indefinite deferral)
- Conversion Therapy
- Varies by Region
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
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Public Opinion
Recent surveys in Philippines have revealed a mixed response towards LGBTQ+ rights and issues.
OPPOSE
SUPPORT
Perception of LGBTQ+ People
Survey results from 12 LGBTQ+ Equaldex users who lived in or visited Philippines.
Overall
Perceived Safety**Survey results represent personal perceptions of safety and may not be indicative of current actual conditions.
Equal Treatment
Visibility & Representation
Culture
Services
History
Homosexual activity in Philippines is legal.
Current status
Legal federal law
The only article that may apply to LGBT is Article 200 of the penal code which cites "serious sexual misconduct", but there were never any laws against homosexuality.
However it is still partially illegal in the Marawi city for its Muslim residents.
However it is still partially illegal in the Marawi city for its Muslim residents.
Same-sex marriage in Philippines is banned.
Current status
Since Aug 3, 1988
Banned federal law
Article 1 of an executive order titled "Family Code of the Philippines" defines marriage as "a special contract of permanent union between a man and a woman".
Censorship of LGBT issues in Philippines is no censorship.
Current status
No censorship federal law
In the Philippines, there are very few instances of government censorship. One such incident from 2023 involved a drag performer, Amadeus Fernando Pagente (Pura Luka Vega), who was arrested by Manila police for failing to appear at a preliminary hearing on charges of “immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and indecent shows.” However, there were very few reports of incidents like this.
Right to change legal gender in Philippines is illegal.
Current status
Since 2007
Illegal federal law
Filipinos who undergo gender re-assignment surgery are not permitted to change their legal gender per a supreme court ruling in 2007. Individuals with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH), a very rare gender disorder, are permitted to change their gender. Changing gender pending.
Gender-affirming care in Philippines is legal.
Current status
Since 1992
Legal federal law
No laws ban or restrict GAC but practical limitations such as a lack of available doctors and services prove to be real challenges for transgender Filipinos.
Restricted federal law
In 1976, Philippines legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Philippines is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized federal law
The Philippines does not recognize nor allow people to legally change "x" gender on their passports and other legal documents.
Hate crime protections in Philippines is varies by region.
Current status
Since Aug 12, 2014
Varies by Region
There are no nationwide protections from hate crimes provided to LGBTIQ+ people in the Philippines. However, since 2014, regions have been providing limited protections starting with Agusan del Norte.
Full protection from hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity are in place only in Bataan.
Full protection from hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity are in place only in Bataan.
Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Bataan 2021
Protected in some contexts
- Albay 2021
- Ilocos Sur 2017
- Dinagat Islands 2017
- Iloilo 2016
- Agusan del Norte 2014
No protections
- Abra
- Agusan del Sur
- Aklan
- Antique
- Apayao
- Aurora
- Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)
- Basilan
- Batanes
- Batangas
- Benguet
- Biliran
- Bohol
- Bukidnon
- Bulacan
- 71 more
Varies by Region
LGBT discrimination in Philippines is varies by region.
Current status
Since Aug 12, 2014
Varies by Region
There are some local discrimination protections for LGBT people since 2014. Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill pending nationwide.
Illegal
- Albay 2021
- Bataan 2021
- Ilocos Sur 2017
- Dinagat Islands 2017
- Batangas 2015
- Agusan del Norte 2014
Illegal in some contexts
- Abra 2007
- Agusan del Sur 2007
- Aklan 2007
- Antique 2007
- Apayao 2007
- Aurora 2007
- Basilan 2007
- Batanes 2007
- Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) 2007
- Benguet 2007
- Biliran 2007
- Bohol 2007
- Bukidnon 2007
- Bulacan 2007
- Cagayan 2007
- 71 more
Varies by Region
Illegal in some contexts
In 2007, the Philippines enacted a Magna Carta for protections of the rights of public social workers, which includes protection from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. However, gender identity remains unprotected.
In 2012, the Philippines passed Order No. 40 which prohibits discrimination in schools against children on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Local laws with full discrimination protections would follow in 2014.
In 2012, the Philippines passed Order No. 40 which prohibits discrimination in schools against children on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Local laws with full discrimination protections would follow in 2014.
Until Apr 10, 2007
No protections federal law
Although certain regions of the Philippines have anti discrimination laws but they are not being widely and properly enforce nor followed. Though LGBT rights groups around the country demand the passing of the Equality Bill.
LGBT employment discrimination in Philippines is varies by region.
Current status
Since Aug 12, 2014
Varies by Region
The Magna Carta for Public Social Workers assures protection from discrimination, including sexual orientation and sex, but does not specify gender identity. Some jurisdictions offer protections for sexual orientation and gender identity since 2014.
Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Albay 2021
- Bataan 2021
- Ilocos Sur 2017
- Dinagat Islands 2017
- Iloilo 2016
- Batangas 2015
- Agusan del Norte 2014
Sexual orientation only
- Abra 2007
- Aklan 2007
- Cagayan Valley (Region II) 2007
- Camiguin 2007
- Cavite 2007
- Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) 2007
- Davao (Region XI) 2007
- MIMAROPA (Region IV-B) 2007
- Rizal 2007
- Shariff Kabunsuan 2007
Varies by Region
LGBT housing discrimination in Philippines is varies by region.
Current status
Varies by Region
Currently in Philippines, your protections for housing discrimination vary broadly based on which jurisdiction you live in. 8 out of 22 jurisdictions have laws protecting you based on sexual orientation but only 7 do for gender identity.
Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Albay 2021
- Bataan 2021
- Ilocos Sur 2017
- Dinagat Islands 2017
- Iloilo 2016
- Batangas 2015
- Agusan del Norte 2014
Sexual orientation only
- Cavite 2014
No protections
Varies by Region
Same-sex adoption in Philippines is single only.
Current status
Single only federal law
If you are part of the LGBTQ in the Philippines, you can only adopt if you are single.
Intersex infant surgery in Philippines is not banned.
Current status
Not banned federal law
Philippines does not ban medical interventions performed on intersex infants.
Blood donations by MSMs in Philippines is banned (indefinite deferral).
Current status
Banned (indefinite deferral) federal law
Men who have had sex with men are never allowed to donate blood. Blood Donations by MSMs pending.
Conversion therapy in Philippines is varies by region.
Current status
Since Oct 25, 2021
Varies by Region
Currently in the Philippines there is one region that has put a ban on conversion therapy- Bataan.
Banned
- Bataan 2021
Not banned
- Abra
- Agusan del Norte
- Albay
- Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)
- Basilan
- Benguet
- Cagayan Valley (Region II)
- Cebu
- Compostela Valley
- Davao (Region XI)
- Ilocos (Region I)
- Ilocos Norte
- Iloilo
- Lanao del Sur
- Masbate
- 11 more
Varies by Region
Equal age of consent in Philippines is equal.
Current status
Equal federal law
In the Philippines, the age of consent is equal for all sexual activity.
LGBT Rights by Province
View the LGBT laws in each individual province of Philippines.
- Abra
- Agusan del Norte
- Agusan del Sur
- Aklan
- Albay
- Antique
- Apayao
- Aurora
- Basilan
- Bataan
- Batanes
- Batangas
- Benguet
- Biliran
- Bohol
- Bukidnon
- Bulacan
- Cagayan
- Camarines Norte
- Camarines Sur
- Camiguin
- Capiz
- Catanduanes
- Cavite
- Cebu
- Compostela Valley
- Cotabato
- Davao del Norte
- Davao del Sur
- Davao Oriental
- Dinagat Islands
- Eastern Samar
- Guimaras
- Ifugao
- Ilocos Norte
- Ilocos Sur
- Iloilo
- Isabela
- Kalinga
- La Union
- Laguna
- Lanao del Norte
- Lanao del Sur
- Leyte
- Maguindanao
- Marinduque
- Masbate
- Mindoro Occidental
- Mindoro Oriental
- Misamis Occidental
- Misamis Oriental
- Mountain Province
- Negros Occidental
- Negros Oriental
- Northern Samar
- Nueva Ecija
- Nueva Vizcaya
- Palawan
- Pampanga
- Pangasinan
- Quezon
- Quirino
- Rizal
- Romblon
- Sarangani
- Siquijor
- Sorsogon
- South Cotabato
- Southern Leyte
- Sultan Kudarat
- Sulu
- Surigao del Norte
- Surigao del Sur
- Tarlac
- Tawi-Tawi
- Western Samar
- Zambales
- Zamboanga del Norte
- Zamboanga del Sur
- Zamboanga Sibuguey [Zamboanga Sibugay]
- Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) (Region)
- Bicol (Region V) (Region)
- Cagayan Valley (Region II) (Region)
- CALABARZON (Region IV-A) (Region)
- Caraga (Region XIII) (Region)
- Central Luzon (Region III) (Region)
- Central Visayas (Region VII) (Region)
- Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) (Region)
- Davao (Region XI) (Region)
- Eastern Visayas (Region VIII) (Region)
- Ilocos (Region I) (Region)
- MIMAROPA (Region IV-B) (Region)
- National Capital Region (Region)
- Northern Mindanao (Region X) (Region)
- Soccsksargen (Region XII) (Region)
- Western Visayas (Region VI) (Region)
- Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX) (Region)
- Shariff Kabunsuan ()
Equality Rank
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#51 Fiji55
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#52 India55
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#53 Peru54
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#54 Philippines54
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#55 Timor-Leste54
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#56 Japan54
-
#57 Monaco53
#12
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