Sexual orientation - the preferred term used when referring to an individual's physical and/or emotional attraction to the same

and/or opposite gender; "Heterosexual," "bisexual" and "homosexual; distinct from a person's gender identity and expression

SOURCE: http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/sexual-orientation-and-genderidentity-terminology-and-definitions

Gender identity - refers to a person's innate, deeply felt psychological identification as male or female, which may or may not correspond to the person's body or designated sex at birth (meaning what sex was originally listed on a person's birth certificate)

SOURCE: http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/sexual-orientation-and-genderidentity-terminology-and-definitions

Gender expression - refers to all of the external characteristics and behaviors that are socially defined as either masculine or feminine, such as dress, grooming, mannerisms, speech patterns and social interactions

SOURCE: http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/sexual-orientation-and-genderidentity-terminology-and-definitions

Transgender - broad range of people who experience and/or express their gender differently from what most people expect either in terms of expressing a gender that does not match their designated sex at birth or physically changing their sex; an umbrella term that includes people who are transsexual, cross-dressers or otherwise gender non-conforming

SOURCE: http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/sexual-orientation-and-genderidentity-terminology-and-definitions

Transsexual a person who has changed, or is in the process of changing, his or her physical and/or legal sex to conform to his or her internal sense of gender identity; includes people who, without undergoing medical treatment, identify and live their lives fulltime as a member of the gender opposite their birth sex (MTFs, FTMs)

SOURCE: http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/sexual-orientation-and-genderidentity-terminology-and-definitions

Cross-dresser one who wears the clothing and/or accoutrements, such as makeup and accessories, that are considered by society to correspond to the "opposite sex." Unlike transsexuals, cross-dressers typically do not seek to change their physical characteristics and/or manner of expression permanently or desire to live full-time as the opposite gender.

SOURCE: http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/sexual-orientation-and-genderidentity-terminology-and-definitions

FORMAL Equality - assumes that equality is achieved if the law treats all persons alike; in some cases, does not address real inequality in circumstances SUBSTANTIVE Equality - requires that the effects of laws, policies, and practices, be examined to determine whether they are discriminatory

DISCRIMINATION AND VIOLENCE

According to data collated by the Philippine

LGBT Hate Crime Watch, there have been around 164 cases of murdered LGBTs in the country from 1996 to June 2012. Problem on the lack of data is to be addressed by CHRs documentation of hate crimes (2013)

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE Article 16, UN Declaration of Human Rights

(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution. (2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses. (3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

Discrimination shall be understood to imply any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference, which is based on any ground such as sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, whether actual or perceived, and which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment, or exercise by all persons an equal footing of all rights and freedoms. The bill said sexual orientation and gender identity should not also be used as the basis for hiring, promotion and dismissal of workers and in the determination of compensation, training, incentives, privileges, benefits or allowances, and other terms and conditions of employment. Denying access to public service, including military service, is among the discriminatory practices that could be penalized under the measure.