- 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
- ✖ No protections
- Discrimination
- ✖ Illegal in some contexts
- Employment Discrimination
- ✖ Sexual orientation only
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- ✖ Single only
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✖ Not banned
- Military
- ✔ Legal
- Donating Blood
- ✖ Banned (indefinite deferral)
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
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Public Opinion
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Homosexual activity in South Cotabato is legal.
Current status
Legal under federal Philippines 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 South Cotabato is banned.
Current status
Since Aug 3, 1988
Banned under federal Philippines 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 South Cotabato is no censorship.
Current status
No censorship under federal Philippines 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 South Cotabato is illegal.
Current status
Since 2007
Illegal under federal Philippines 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 South Cotabato is legal.
Current status
Since 1992
Legal under federal Philippines 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 under federal Philippines 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 South Cotabato is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized under federal Philippines 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 South Cotabato is no protections.
Current status
No protections
There are no protections from hate crimes provided to LGBTIQ+ people in South Cotabato.
LGBT discrimination in South Cotabato is illegal in some contexts.
Current status
Since Apr 11, 2007
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. This applies in South Cotabato. However, no other discrimination protections exist in the province.
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. This applies in South Cotabato. However, no other discrimination protections exist in the province.
Until Apr 10, 2007
No protections under federal Philippines 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 South Cotabato is sexual orientation only.
Current status
Since Apr 11, 2007
Sexual orientation only
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. This also applies in South Cotabato. However, gender identity remains unprotected.
LGBT housing discrimination in South Cotabato is no protections.
Current status
No protections
There are no protections from discrimination in housing provided to LGBTIQ+ people in South Cotabato.
Same-sex adoption in South Cotabato is single only.
Current status
Single only under federal Philippines law
If you are part of the LGBTQ in the Philippines, you can only adopt if you are single.
Intersex infant surgery in South Cotabato is not banned.
Current status
Not banned under federal Philippines law
Philippines does not ban medical interventions performed on intersex infants.
Blood donations by MSMs in South Cotabato is banned (indefinite deferral).
Current status
Banned (indefinite deferral) under federal Philippines law
Men who have had sex with men are never allowed to donate blood. Blood Donations by MSMs pending.
Conversion therapy in South Cotabato is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Conversion therapy is legal in South Cotabato.
Equal age of consent in South Cotabato is equal.
Current status
Equal under federal Philippines law
In the Philippines, the age of consent is equal for all sexual activity.
Legal Rights
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This region's Equality Index is based on legal rights alone. Please submit survey results that show the public opinion of LGBTQ+ issues in South Cotabato to help improve its accuracy.
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