By Julliane Nicole B. Labinghisa

Highlighting risks of repercussions, Far Eastern University (FEU) Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) opposed the recently proposed Heterosexual Act of 2025, raising concerns over gender equality and progress. 

Filed by Congressman Bienvenido M. Abante Jr. last August 5, the Heterosexual Act of 2025, or House Bill 3043, was lobbied to recognize, define, and protect the rights of heterosexuals.

The house bill highlights the protection of heterosexual individuals and their freedom of expression and religious beliefs, as well as protection against other forms of violence.  

In an interview with FEU Advocate, FEU SAGA President Neo Anthony Toralde stated that the sudden filing of the Heterosexual Act of 2025 felt like a diversion tactic from prominent social issues. 

“To me, it seemed like a response to something that wasn’t really a problem… Heterosexuals have been historically privileged in most societies, so the need for legal protection for them feels pretty disconnected from the real struggles that other marginalized groups still face today,” Toralde said. 

Despite a more progressive and accepting perception of society toward the LGBTQIA+ community, discrimination and violence are still experienced by its members. 

Moreover, Toralde emphasized that the proposed act might perpetuate divisiveness and regression in the acceptance and protection of queer members.

“The Heterosexual Act of 2025 could create a harmful divide, pitting different communities against each other instead of uniting people in a collective fight for equal rights… undermining the progress that has been made in creating a more inclusive society,” he shared.

Additionally, with the rise of media representation and advocacy campaigns, attitudes toward the queer community have grown more positive, with annual pride events celebrated all over the world. 

Toralde expressed that if diversity and inclusivity are the reasons behind Abante’s proposed act, he should support the passage of the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, Or Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Equality Bill instead.

The SOGIE Equality Bill was refiled by Senators Risa Hontiveros and Loren Legarda last July 2025 after failing to be enacted into law since the first filing of the SOGIE Bill in January 2000, during the 11th Congress. 

Furthermore, Toralde shared that if the Heterosexual Act of 2025 were to be passed, it could trigger a reevaluation of inclusive policies, leading to increased discrimination or exclusion of members of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

“For many LGBTQI+ [LGBTQIA+] students, university life is an environment where they often explore and affirm their identities in a relatively open and accepting setting. If this bill enforces a strict framework that excludes or stigmatizes LGBTQI+ [LGBTQIA+] experiences,” the SAGA President said. 

The University has been a clear advocate of inclusivity, allowing students to dress freely according to their gender identity as long as it abides by the University’s attire policy, and installing gender-neutral bathrooms around the campus in 2019.

Toralde also mentioned that on a larger scope, the Heterosexual Act of 2025 may also fuel public stigma and discrimination toward the community, creating harsher conditions for them in societal acceptance. 

FEU SAGA is the first accredited student-led LGBTQIA+ organization in FEU Manila that actively advocates for inclusivity, equality, and protection of the rights of the members of the community. 

(Photo by Aleena Louise Abad/FEU Advocate)