MANILA -- Local celebrities, including "It's Showtime" host Anne Curtis, appealed to senators Tuesday to pass a bill that would give members of the LGBT community protection from discrimination.

The SOGIE (Sexual Orientation Gender Identity and Expression) Equality Bill has been pending in the upper chamber since September last year.

Curtis, along with other celebrities from showbiz, shared messages online for Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III with the hashtag that read: "Love is All We Need." They also tagged senators Manny Pacquiao and Joel Villanueva, who have also been against the anti-discrimination bill.

"There's nothing more I want for them than to have equal rights as citizens of this country," Curtis wrote.

The actress added that she wants them to live a life free from discriminatory acts, and in a country where "they can express themselves freely knowing that they are loved and protected."

Others who have expressed their support for the bill include Bianca Gonzalez, Joey Mead King, Divine Lee, Iza Calzado, Heart Evangelista, and broadcaster Karen Davila.

Dear @sotto_tito @mannypacquiao @senatorjoelv #LoveIsAllWeNeed pic.twitter.com/aUjYTjE3VO

— Divine Lee (@DivinemLee) July 23, 2018

Hi @mannypacquiao! I love your fighting spirit. Please use your power and privilege to fight as hard for every Filipino by supporting the SOGIE Equality Bill ❤️ #LoveIsAllWeNeed

— Mari Jasmine (@mari_jasmn) July 23, 2018

Hi @senatorjoelv! I can’t wait to see you preach love to ALL Filipinos and not just those that share your faith or beliefs. Please support the SOGIE Equality Bill ❤️ #LoveIsAllWeNeed

— Mari Jasmine (@mari_jasmn) July 23, 2018

Hi @sotto_tito! Please show us your love for every Filipino out there by supporting the SOGIE Equality Bill ❤️ #LoveIsAllWeNeed

— Mari Jasmine (@mari_jasmn) July 23, 2018

Dear @sotto_tito, @mannypacquiao, @senatorjoelv: As politicians, you’ve campaigned for change, so here’s to hoping you have a change of heart regarding the SOGIE bill. #loveisallweneed pic.twitter.com/3bXqH0MntY

— Samantha Lee (@givemesam) July 23, 2018

Dear Senators @mannypacquiao , @sotto_tito @senatorjoelv . I embrace my LGBT brothers & sisters. 🌈 Many are my closest friends & allies.
Please show them some luv & positivity by supporting the SOGIE equality bill.
We will love u more! #LoveIsAllWeNeed 💜 pic.twitter.com/XLya5JNaxk

— Christine Babao (@ChristineBBabao) July 23, 2018

Already too much hate on social media. Let's not add to it. Because #AllYouNeedIsLove. To our nation's Senators, please support and say yes to the SOGIE bill. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 @sotto_tito @mannypacquiao @senatorjoelv 🌈🌈🌈

— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) July 23, 2018

The SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity
and Expression) Equality Bill or Anti-Discrimination Bill, seeks to protect individuals against sex & gender-based discrimination, which include denial of access to public & health sevices, employment & education #LOVEISALLWENEED pic.twitter.com/JbEegTrloY

— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) July 23, 2018

LGBTQ are citizens too #LoveIsAllWeNeed pic.twitter.com/qLAKv84xcm

— Chot Reyes (@coachot) July 23, 2018

A post shared by Love Marie Ongpauco Escudero (@iamhearte) on Jul 22, 2018 at 10:47pm PDT

A post shared by Arnold van Opstal (@arnoldvanopstal) on Jul 23, 2018 at 5:26am PDT

A post shared by Laureen Uy (@laureenmuy) on Jul 23, 2018 at 5:49am PDT

A post shared by joeymeadking (@joeymeadking) on Jul 23, 2018 at 4:19am PDT

A post shared by Rajo Laurel (@rajolaurel) on Jul 23, 2018 at 4:58am PDT

The SOGIE bill was approved by the House of Representatives lasty year -- a landmark decision in a majorly Catholic nation.

Among the laundry list of protections LGBT people would be given under it are access to facilities such as gender-neutral toilets and a complaints desk in police stations.

It would also prevent people from denying them basic services because of their sexuality.