MANILA, Philippines — Mayor Joy Belmonte now wants all establishments in Quezon City to have toilets marked as “all gender comfort rooms.”
Belmonte said this is in accordance with Section V 1 (d) of its Gender-Fair ordinance, which aims to protect the LGBT+ community from all kinds of discrimination.
She said establishments do not really have to put up a new set of toilets in order to comply with the policy, but should ensure that there is one to be used by all genders.
“Kapag all gender, at least lahat pwede gumamit, all are welcome to use it. Walang pipigil, wala ring mag-iisip ng malisyosong idea kasi para sa lahat ito,” Belmonte said in an interview with Radyo Inquirer 990 AM.
Belmonte issued the statement after Gretchen Diez, a transgender woman was barred from using a women’s toilet in a mall in Quezon City. Apart from being prevented from using the women’s toilet, Diez was handcuffed and was brought to Quezon City Police District Station 7.
Belmonte admits that despite the city’s gender ordinance, the local government still needs to inform a majority of establishments that do not comply with the policy.
Under the ordinance, anyone who violates the Gender-Fair policy can be jailed from 60 days to one year, or pay a fine of P1,000 to P5,000. Establishments will also face charges for not complying with the all-gender toilet ordinance, Belmonte said.
“Para hindi na magkaroon ng ganong haka-haka na kapag pumasok ang isang transgender sa women’s toilet, na ‘baka naman hindi siya totoong transgender’,” Belmonte said .
“Edi bigyan nalang natin sila ng isang toilet, na designated na lahat ng kasarian ay pwedeng gumamit ng toilet na yan,” she added. /muf