Sunday, December 1, 2019

Congresswoman Geraldine Roman - the first openly transgender woman elected to the Congress of the Philippines talks about Equality: Is it achievable!

“If we are willing to fight against discrimination on the basis of these personal circumstances that have nothing to do with one’s capacity to work, why are we not able as a society to fight against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression? But I have to insist, these circumstances are not chosen and these circumstances are irrelevant especially when looking for a job or qualifying for a post in government. They should not be used as criteria in determining who should receive services from the government or who should be able to enter a public establishment like a hotel or a restaurant. That seeks to protect Filipinos who just happen to be LGBT, from discrimination at the workplace, in schools, in the delivery of government services, as well as access to commercial and public establishments. It also seeks to guarantee that Filipinos who happen to be LGBT will not be insulted in the streets, that they will be ‘outed’ without their consent. They say that the SOGIE bill is same-sex marriage. It is not. In fact, in one of the provisions where there was reference to professional licenses…we were careful to specify that these do not refer to marriage licenses. There are people who may have different sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. But these people have to be treated with dignity and respect. And their rights have to be guaranteed under the law.” ~Hon. Geraldine Roman, The first openly transgender woman elected to the Congress of the Philippines, advocating for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) rights

NOTABLES at AIM is a non-traditional speaker series hosted by an array of luminaries with expertise and insight on relevant topics. It is open to controversial figures in order to spur intelligent dialogue on challenging issues. Organized by The Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Master of Business Management (MBM) Batch 1995 has launched Notables at AIM, a nontraditional speaker series hosted by an array of luminaries with expertise and insight on relevant topics. MBM Batch '95, to further the renowned international management school's advocacy in providing quality education. The batch also hopes to raise funds for scholarships.


Members of the audience were encouraged to speak out their minds and engage in a conversation with the speaker.


Thought leaders and captains of industry are invited to engage not only with the AIM community but with the public in attendance as well. The speaker series kicked off Thursday, November 28 at Fuller Hall, AIM, Makati City.
“It provides a much-needed arena for informed and purposeful exchange on relevant issues. The third out of the seven fundamental human needs is the need to belong or connection. It comes after subsistence and security, and growth and understanding. Inclusivity addresses and fulfills that need. How do we achieve it? We temper if not altogether do away with discrimination. How do we go about it? We start with intelligent discourse. Inclusivity is a critical yet complicated humanitarian issue. Let’s start engaging with it.” ~Marc Ablaza, MBM ‘95 Batch Representative
Marc Ablaza, MBM ‘95 Batch Representative
What is Gender Equality?
  • Gender equality is achieved when women and men enjoy the same rights and opportunities across all sectors of society, including economic participation and decision-making, and when the different behaviors, aspirations, and needs of women and men are equally valued and favored.

It will take us a whole day or more when we discuss the word "Equality". Because this is an extremely complicated topic to discuss. It has even become one of the government issues just recently about Gretchen Custodio Diez, LGBTQ+ Advocate that really made noise in our society.

Hon. Geraldine Roman, The first openly transgender woman elected to the Congress of the Philippines, advocating for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) rights
The Bataan representative’s talk focused on equality and inclusivity in society. In her speech, Roman explained how Filipinos are being discriminated especially in the workplace in terms of age, religion, ethnicity, physical appearance, as well as sexual orientation and gender identity and expression or SOGIE. 

Hon. Geraldine Roman speaks about equality and inclusivity at the first Notables at AIM: A speaker series. 

The congresswoman is known as one of the champions of the SOGIE Equality Bill. She reiterated that the bill is an anti-discrimination bill.

Hon. Geraldine Roman, The first openly transgender woman elected to the Congress of the Philippines, advocating for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) rights
She reiterated that the bill is an anti-discrimination bill. Roman closed her speech with an appeal to treat the members of the LGBT community with respect.

AIM MBM Batch ’95 with Congresswoman Geraldine Roman.
AIM MBM Batch ’95 organized Notables at AIM to further the renowned international management school’s advocacy in providing quality education. The batch also hopes to raise funds for scholarships.


For more information about Notables, you may visit their social media pages at


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