A coalition of transgender organizations in the Philippines is working with lawmakers to push for the Lived Identities Recognition Act (LIRA), also known as the Sharmaine Bill. The proposed law has officially been filed in the House of Representatives through Akbayan Representative Perci Cendaña.
The bill gets its name from the viral “Sharmaine” meme, which began after a transgender woman was repeatedly called by her legal name instead of her chosen name during a public encounter.
If passed, the bill would give transgender Filipinos a simpler way to legally update their name and gender marker while strengthening protections against discrimination and protecting their privacy. Supporters say having IDs that match a person’s identity can make everyday life much easier, from applying for jobs to accessing healthcare and other essential services.
The bill was developed with input from several trans-led organizations, including Pioneer FTM, STRAP, CURLS, and LAGABLAB Philippines, all of which hope it will improve the lives of transgender and gender-diverse Filipinos.
While the Sharmaine Bill is still in the early stages of the legislative process, advocates are encouraging the public to help spread awareness and show support. They hope lawmakers will continue listening to the transgender community as the proposal moves through Congress.
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