Homosexuality
    ✔ Legal
    Gay Marriage
    ✖ Unrecognized
    Censorship
    ✔ No censorship
    Changing Gender
    ✖ Illegal
    Gender-Affirming Care
    ✔ Legal
    Non-Binary Gender Recognition
    ✖ Not legally recognized
    Discrimination
    ✖ Illegal in some contexts
    Employment Discrimination
    ✖ Sexual orientation only
    Housing Discrimination
    Varies by Region
    Adoption
    ✖ Single only
    Intersex Infant Surgery
    Unknown
    Military
    ✔ Legal
    Donating Blood
    ✖ Banned (indefinite deferral)
    Conversion Therapy
    Varies by Region
    Age of Consent
    ✔ Equal
💬 Join Equaldex's LGBTQ+ Discord to discuss LGBT rights and chat!

Recent surveys in Philippines have revealed a mixed response towards LGBTQ+ rights and issues.

Public Trust of Gays and Lesbians

of Filipinos agree that gays and lesbians are just as trustworthy as any other Filipino

Support for Same-Sex Marriage

(Rappler, 2018)
21%
Support
61%
Against

LGBTQ+ Discrimination in the Workplace

Filipino LGBTQ workers experienced harassment from employers and superior officers
Filipino LGBTQ workers experienced harassment from co-workers
Filipino LGBTQ workers have been subjected to offensive slurs and jokes in the workplace

Survey

For the LGBT community or part of it
Against the LGBT community

Perception of LGBTQ+ People

Survey results from 7 LGBTQ+ Equaldex users who lived in or visited Philippines.

Overall

Overall

Perceived Safety*

Feel safe being open
Absence of verbal harassment
Absence of threats and violence
*Survey results represent personal perceptions of safety and may not be indicative of current actual conditions.

Equal Treatment

Treatment by peers
Treatment by family
Treatment at work
Treatment at school
Treatment by general public
Treatment by businesses
Treatment by law enforcement
Treatment by religious groups

Visibility & Representation

Inclusion in education
Representation in entertainment
Representation in news
Political support
Out public figures

Culture

Pride/events
Nightlife
Dating life
Interest groups and clubs

Services

Health and wellness
Gender-affirming care
Support and social services
Advocacy and legal

History

Homosexual activity in Philippines

?

Homosexual activity in Philippines is legal.

Current status
Legal
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.
Report error  ·  Log

Same-sex marriage in Philippines

?

Same-sex marriage in Philippines is unrecognized.

Current status
Since Aug 4, 1988
Unrecognized
Legalization pending. Law makers say denying gay marriage is unconstitutional. Same sex weddings do happen in The Philippines and can be blessed, but just not registered. Civil unions pending.
Report error  ·  Log
Jan 1, 1987–Aug 4, 1988
Banned
The Philippines does not recognize any form of same-sex union under any circumstance. The Philippine Supreme Court has also denied and dismissed the petition to legalize same-sex marriage.
Report error  ·  Log
Until 1987
Banned
The Philippines does not recognize nor provide any legal rights for same-sex marriages nor unions in any way. The Philippine Supreme Court rejects a petition to legalize same-sex marriage.
Report error  ·  Log

Censorship of LGBT issues in Philippines

?

Censorship of LGBT issues in Philippines is no censorship.

Current status
No censorship
In Philippines, there are no laws restricting to discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Report error  ·  Log

Right to change legal gender in Philippines

?

Right to change legal gender in Philippines is illegal.

Current status
Since 2007
Illegal
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.
Report error  ·  Log
Until 2007
Illegal
Filipinos who undergo gender re-assignment surgery are not permitted to change their legal gender per a supreme court ruling in 2007.

Gender-affirming care in Philippines

?

Gender-affirming care in Philippines is legal.

Current status
Since 1999
Legal
In 1999, Philippines adopted the ICD-10 classification, which contains codes for diagnosing transsexualism in adulthood and childhood, which authorize the initiation of medical transition.
Report error  ·  Log
Legal, but restricted for minors
In 1992, Philippines adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
Report error  ·  Log
Restricted
In 1976, Philippines legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
Report error  ·  Log
Until 1976
Banned
Medical transition is not possible
Report error  ·  Log

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Philippines

?

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Philippines is not legally recognized.

Current status
Not legally recognized
The Philippines does not recognize nor allow people to legally change "x" gender on their passports and other legal documents.
Sources:
manilatimes.net/2020/12/27/…~:text=Philippine%20laws%20do%20not%20recognize,ground%20of%20sex%20reassignment%20surgery.&text=The%20Supreme%20Court%2C%20through%20Chief,change%20his%20gender%20even%20judicially.
Report error  ·  Log

LGBT discrimination in Philippines

?

LGBT discrimination in Philippines is illegal in some contexts.

Current status
Since Sep 16, 2003
Illegal in some contexts
There are some local discrimination protections for LGBT people. Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill pending nationwide.
Jan 26, 2001–Sep 16, 2003
No protections
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.
Report error  ·  Log

LGBT employment discrimination in Philippines

?

LGBT employment discrimination in Philippines is sexual orientation only.

Current status
Sexual orientation only
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.

LGBT housing discrimination in Philippines

?

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.
Report error  ·  Log

Same-sex adoption in Philippines

?

Same-sex adoption in Philippines is single only.

Current status
Single only
If you are part of the LGBTQ in the Philippines, you can only adopt if you are single.
Sources:
travel.state.gov/content/tr…~:text=Philippine%20law%20does%20not%20recognize,from%20applying%20to%20adopt%20individually.
Report error  ·  Log

Intersex infant surgery in Philippines

?

Intersex infant surgery in Philippines is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Serving openly in military in Philippines

?

Serving openly in military in Philippines is legal.

Current status
Since 2009
Legal
Report error  ·  Log

Blood donations by MSMs in Philippines

?

Blood donations by MSMs in Philippines is banned (indefinite deferral).

Current status
Banned (indefinite deferral)
Men who have had sex with men are never allowed to donate blood. Blood Donations by MSMs pending.
Report error  ·  Log

Conversion therapy in Philippines

?

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.
Report error  ·  Log

Equal age of consent in Philippines

?

Equal age of consent in Philippines is equal.

Current status
Equal
Unsure of date
Report error  ·  Log


LGBT Rights by Province

View the LGBT laws in each individual province of Philippines.