Kristine Abao Mr.
Zardo Toroy
Rina Mae Apdian October 3, 2019
Maita Jullane M. Daan ETHICS Mth 6:30-8:00 pm
Zhea Sambas
ST. THOMAS NATURAL LAW: An ethical arguement towards Sogie Equality Bill
SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity expression) or also called as Anti-
discrimination law. It seeks to protect confused gender individuals and communities that
experiences human rights violation. This bill continues to be under legislative debate,
whether to approve it to the senate or not. Its not just a typical bill that can easily be dealt
with because it covers several dimensions and underrated several Republic Acts.
In correlation with this on trend issue, an ethical approach of St. Thomas Natural Law
takes in. Even before, Aquinas already denotes that the Act of Existence is the unifying
principle of all beings. And beings act according to its nature. Since the focus of SOGIE
Equality bill is to protect human rights towards the shelter of LGBTQ+ individuals. These
individuals act according to its nature. But they aren’t born to be like that. Every LGBTQ+
individuals chose to be called as one of those. Not forcedly taken, its their own product of
their choices. Since every individual has the capacity to choose ethically and morally. But
the result of their choices encompasses feelings, emotions and irregular hormonal
movements that lead them to be dual blooded gender individuals. Their existence is still
considered to be humans. Indeed, man is a rational being. Their characteristics and
genders are part of the rationality. Meaning have unique and special characteristics that
only exist within them.
On the other hand, in cosmological view. Aquinas’s cosmology is viewed from the
viewpoint of God. Even before, God already stated in the Holy Bible about this theory.
That man is created for woman, and woman are created for man. Wherein they can
multiply. In the eyes of God, there are only two genders: Man and woman. But to think of
this theory, LGBTQ+ are special genders made under the product of imagination and
thinking of man.
St. Thomas emphasized that humans are moral imperative. The future of the cosmos
lies in the future and present choices we make. So if the senate will grant Sogie Bill as
officially Republic Act.. What would then happen of our moral and ethical grounds? The
choice to protect human rights violation is fine, but changing naturally made laws are
immoral. Like crossdressing, implementing comfort rooms for transgenders to enter into
their “desired” genders and among others. To protect their rights as their chosen genders
is good, but to restate human being and to be substituted to something they wished to be
is something unethical. To be ethical contributes to have a moral character in a moral
sense.
Every individual has a will to choose. We all have freedom. But having this must covers
the truth, which to think if it is good for yourself and also to the person around you.
Deliberation, choice must be deliberated before acting it out. To avoid further
consequences. SOGIE Bill barely protects only LGBTQ+ individuals who are thirsty to be
protected of by criticisms, judgments, discrimination and rights. But to think of it, this isn’t
just an anti-discrimination law. It’s giving them special treatment. That they rational by
being, they are unique. So they must be treated as unique individuals. Its far from
proposing “equality”. Because if talking about “equality” it must covers the right to protect
the well being of straight individuals.
It is said that Natural law are believed to be human laws that are defined by morality,
NOT by an authority figure (government, legislative authority). But practically thinking,
SOGIE Equality Bill isn’t Natural aw at all. It is something to be associated with Legal
positivism. Despite of its immorality and flawed dimensions, it is still considered as a
law(bill).
