The Philippines’ top court heard arguments on Tuesday for the legalization of gay marriage, a historic first in the overwhelmingly Catholic nation. Two same-sex couples denied licences to wed urged the Supreme Court to strike down a 1987 law that states marriage must be between a man and a woman. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed his support for same-sex unions, after previously declaring his opposition to gay marriage, in an about-face that may displease bishops in the mainly Roman Catholic country. In September, Philippine Congress approved a bill that protects the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. The bill states that those who discriminate based on gender can be fined anywhere from PHP100,000 (US$1,900) to PHP500,000 and/or imprisoned for not less than one year and not more than 6 years.