In the Philippines, it’s illegal for queer couples to make crucial decisions for each other during medical emergencies. Without same-sex unions, the law does not see them as partners. Without The SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression) Equality Bill that will legalize same-sex unions, hospitals have no choice but to follow the law and allow the next-of-kin and/or legal spouses to do this.

To remedy this healthcare injustice, The Quezon City government launched The Right to Care card on the last day of Pride Month. This card repurposes a Special Power of Attorney (legal document commonly used in financial transactions) into portable proof that grants LGBTQ couples decision-making rights during medical emergencies.

The inaugural batch started with 1,462 registrations and is still increasing every day. The Department of Health and Commission on Human Rights declared national support. Talks have begun with multiple cities about adopting the card.

If the law has yet to address discrimination based on sexual orientation, what if it could also be our ally?

To remedy this healthcare injustice, we partnered with multiple legal teams to find a way. The Right to Care Card creatively repurposes a Special Power of Attorney (a legal document commonly used in financial transactions) into portable proof that authorizes LGBTQ couples to decide for each other during medical emergencies. The Right to Care Card legalizes what was previously thought to be impossible, while still remaining within the Philippine Constitution.

The Right to Care card is proof that everyone should have the equal right to take care of their loved ones. It is a tool that allows people to protest against a healthcare injustice perpetrated by the law.

We let the Right to Care card get launched by an equality champion –– the Mayor of Quezon City as a form of protest to this healthcare injustice on the day of Pride March, the biggest Pride March in Southeast Asia.

Launching it on Pride March, with the lack of national government’s inaction, made the launch a stand out as the Quezon City Local Government was able to provide its constituents a tool to fight this healthcare injustice.

By doing this, the Quezon City Local Government will now be known as the city that made their health system more inclusive for the LGBTQ community.

The Right to Care Card creatively repurposes a Special Power of Attorney (legal document commonly used in financial transactions) into portable proof that authorizes LGBTQ couples to decide for each other during medical emergencies. While LGBTQ couples cannot be legally married in the Philippines, they should have the right to make medical decisions on behalf of their partners.

Created together with multiple legal teams, the Right to Care Card legalizes what was previously thought to be impossible while still obeying the Philippine Constitution.

As a card, it’s easy to carry and show at hospitals. While it is simple on the surface, it is a truly innovative approach, and a giant step for equality in the healthcare system of the Philippines.

The mayor of Quezon City, the Philippines’ most populous city, launched the Right to Care Card during Pride March. Half of the total Pride-related online buzz on Twitter mentioned the card. Organic pickup by 132 media outlets and a total of 85.2 million organic impressions meant a lot of awareness could be converted into action.

The inaugural batch started with 1,462 registrations and is still increasing every day. The Department of Health declared its support. The Commission on Human Rights released a full statement hailing the Right to Care Card as a brave step towards equality. Talks have begun with multiple cities about adopting the card.