On his Twitter account, phenomenal comedian Vice Ganda shared his experience as part of the LGBTQ+ community while working for ABS-CBN.
Vice wrote how fortunate he is to work for ABS-CBN since he didn’t experience discrimination in the Kapamilya network. Then, he added that not every member of the LGBTQ+ community experiences the same treatment at the workplace because of their Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression (SOGIE). Hence, the comedian expressed his support for the said SOGIE equality bill.
“Mapalad ako at di ako nadiscriminate sa ABS-CBN base sa aking SOGIE. Pero di lahat ng kumpanya ay gaya ng pinagtatrabahuhan ko. Maraming napagkakaitan ng oportunidad at karapatan na makapagtrabaho ng dahil sa kanilang SOGIE. Yun ang totoo. Walang loko! #YESToSOGIEBill,” wrote Vice via Twitter.
Mapalad ako at di ako nadiscriminate sa ABS-CBN base sa aking SOGIE. Pero di lahat ng kumpanya ay gaya ng pinagtatrabahuhan ko. Maraming napagkakaitan ng oportunidad at karapatan na makapagtrabaho ng dahil sa kanilang SOGIE. Yun ang totoo. Walang loko! #YESToSOGIEBill
— jose marie viceral (@vicegandako) November 5, 2020
In a 2018 study from the United Nations in three countries: China, Thailand, and the Philippines, 30% percent of LGBTQI+ from the Philippines responded that they felt discriminated against in the workplace because of their SOGIE. On the other hand, 21% from China and 23% from Thailand responded similarly. The study had 1571 respondents for quantitive data and 151 participants for focus group discussions.
Additionally, the said study also confirmed that 21% of the respondents from the Philippines felt that companies denied hiring them solely based on their SOGIE.
Out of the three countries involved in the study, Thailand already passed a national law protecting discrimination based on gender expression back in 2015 with the Gender Equality Act B.E 2558 (2015).
Vice started as a guest comedian in ABS-CBN’s noontime shows. Then, he joined the cast of It’s Showtime as a guest judge. Because of his quick wit, he became a mainstay of the TV program, becoming one of its prominent hosts. He also starred in multiple blockbuster films such as Praybeyt Benjamin (2011) and Petrang Kabayo (2010).
