In celebration of Pride Month, a bill was introduced in the Philippine Congress to formally recognize the lived gender identities of LGBTQ+ individuals, streamlining the process for legal name and gender marker changes.
In June 2026, the Akbayan party-list in the Philippine House of Representatives filed House Bill No. 9929, known as the Lived Identities Recognition Bill or the “Sharmaine Bill.” Named after a viral video about an orange wanting to change its name to Sharmaine, the bill aims to extend similar compassion to transgender, intersex, and non-binary Filipinos seeking to align their legal identities with their gender experiences.
According to Akbayan Representative Perci Cendaña, the bill sets provisions allowing individuals aged 18 and above to change their names and gender markers based on their deeply felt internal gender identities. It proposes the creation of an administrative mechanism managed by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to process these applications efficiently.
The bill covers transgender and non-binary individuals, intersex people who were initially misclassified by sex, and survivors of gender-based violence seeking name changes for safety and mental health reasons. Requirements include a sworn affidavit explaining the reason for the change, supporting documents such as birth certificates and witness affidavits, and clearances from law enforcement.
One significant feature is the introduction of a “non-binary” gender marker option to be incorporated in legal documents. Upon PSA approval, applicants receive a Certificate of Name Change or Gender Recognition along with an updated birth certificate free of annotations related to the change. This updated documentation should facilitate changes in other legal records like passports, licenses, educational and medical records.
Rep. Cendaña highlighted that the current process is lengthy, costly, and complicated, often exposing individuals to ridicule and discrimination, especially when their legal names and gender markers do not match their lived gender presentation. The bill aims to simplify procedures and reduce bureaucratic obstacles.
While the bill has not yet become law, Cendaña encourages individuals and institutions to practice sensitivity by respecting and using the lived names and identities of LGBTQ+ persons in daily interactions. This initiative aligns with efforts to foster dignity and reduce discrimination against gender-diverse communities in the Philippines.
Sources referenced:
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/balitambayan/balita/992935/alamin-ano-ang-sharmaine-bill-na-kinikilala-ang-lived-identities-ng-mga-miyembro-ng-lgbtq-communi/story/
