Is gay marriage allowed in philippines
What’s the context?
A proposed law in the Philippines would grant health decision rights to LGBTQ+ couples.
- Proposed law aids Homosexual couples in health decisions
- Quezon City tests right-to-care card for LGBTQ+ patients
- Lawmaker says bill a first step toward equality
MANILA - A draft rule in the Philippines could be the first step towards recognising same-sex partnerships, signalling a major shift in a country where Congress has rejected suggestions against the discrimination of LGBTQ+ people for a quarter-century.
Party-list representative Percival Cendaña filed a measure in November last year to shield LGBTQ+ couples from stigma and discrimination in health settings.
Under the proposed Right to Care Operate, patients can designate their partners through a special force of attorney to make critical health decisions and acquire information on their behalf if they become incapacitated.
The bill, which is organism debated in committee, includes a "right to care" card for couples that all health facilities must accept or face penalties.
Without a national law on marriage equality in the predominantly Catholic country, partners of people of diverse sexual orientation
Recent surveys in Philippines include revealed a mixed response towards LGBTQ+ rights and issues.
Survey results from 11 LGBTQ+ Equaldex users who lived in or visited Philippines.
Perceived Safety*Absence of verbal harassmentAbsence of threats and violence*Survey results represent personal perceptions of safety and may not be indicative of current actual conditions.
Equal TreatmentTreatment by general publicTreatment by law enforcementTreatment by religious groups
Visibility & RepresentationRepresentation in entertainment
CultureInterest groups and clubs
ServicesSupport and social services
History
Homosexual activity in Philippines
?Homosexual exercise in Philippines is legal.
However it is still partially illegal in the Marawi city for its Muslim residents.
Same-sex marriage in Philippines
?Same-sex marriage in Philippines is banned.
Marriage Equality Around the World
The Human Rights Campaign tracks developments in the legal recognition of same-sex marriage around the world. Working through a worldwide network of HRC global alumni and partners, we lift up the voices of community, national and regional advocates and share tools, resources, and lessons learned to authorize movements for marriage equality.
Current State of Marriage Equality
There are currently 38 countries where same-sex marriage is legal: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Uruguay.
These countries have legalized marriage equality through both legislation and court decisions.
Countries that Legalized Marriage Equality in 2025
Liechtenstein: On May 16, 2024, Liechtenstein's government passed a bill in favor of marriage equality. The law went into effect January 1, 2025.
Couples apply for 1st same-sex marriage licences in Philippines
MANILA (AFP) - Two homosexual Philippine couples applied for marriage licences on Monday (Aug 3) in a first for the conservative Catholic nation, but were promptly rejected by the government.
Maria Arlyn Ibanez and her companion Joanne Reena Gregorio joined Pastor Crescencio Agbayani and his partner Marlon Pelipe in trooping to a civil registry office in Manila, hoping to boost awareness about queer rights.
"We expected it would be denied but we tried it anyway.... We thought maybe there would be a miracle and it would be approved," Ibanez, a 33-year-old call centre worker, told AFP.
After the government agency turned them down, Ibanez and Agbayani, who runs an informal church for female homosexual, gay, bisexual and transgender people, brandished a sign saying "We were denied" in front of a rainbow flag.
Officials at the agency told reporters it was the first time a alike sex couple had applied for a marriage licence.
Government officials have previously said no same-sex unions will be recognised unless a rule is passed for the purpose, adding that it would likely be blocked by legislators allied with the Catholic church.
Gay
Same-sex marriage represents a critical milestone in the Queer rights movement, allowing couples of the same sex to legally marry and receive the same marital benefits as heterosexual couples. The journey towards legalization has been varied across the globe, influenced by cultural, religious, and political factors. In some regions, the push for marriage equality has gained significant traction and achieved legal recognition, often after prolonged public and legal battles.
While full marriage equality is celebrated in many places, an alternative approach through civil unions or national partnerships persists in others. These frameworks typically grant a subset of rights that marriage offers, focusing on aspects like property rights or hospital visitation. However, they often decline short in areas such as inheritance, pension rights, and parental responsibilities, displaying a gap in the legal recognition of relationships.
The acceptance and implementation of same-sex marriage have brought substantial legal benefits, including inheritance rights, tax reductions, and enhanced health insurance options, which are crucial for the security and well-being of families. This progr