QC mayor to meet Pride Council after arrest of transgender inside mall

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. INQUIRER.net file photo / RYAN LEAGOGO

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said Thursday she will meet with the QC Pride Council (QCPC) on Friday following an incident where a a transgender woman was arrested inside a mall for entering a comfort room for women.

Belmonte explained that the meeting would revolve around the implementation of the city’s Gender Fair Ordinance, which includes gender-sensitivity trainings in the companies located in the city.

“Ang QC Pride Council ang pangunahing inisyatiba ng lokal na pamahalaan para sa pagbuo ng mga programa para sa mga miyembro ng LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer), para sa ganap na pagpapatupad ng Gender Fair Ordinance,” Belmonte said in a statement.

Aside from the gender-sensitivity trainings, the ordinance also includes establishment of gender neutral toilets within the city.

READ: Belmonte orders QC businesses to comply with Gender Fair Ordinance

Earlier this week, transgender woman Gretchen Diez was about to use the women’s comfort room inside a mall in Cubao when she was accosted by the sanitation crew identified as Chayra Ganal.

READ: Transgender woman in women’s comfort room causes stir in QC mall

Following the incident, Diez was handcuffed and arrested over unjust vexation charges but was also released on the same day after Ganal apologized and backed out from filing the case.

The management of the mall where the incident happened also apologized on Wednesday, denying any involvement in the case filed against Diaz.

READ: Mall apologizes to trans woman for ladies’ room incident

“Kaya makasisiguro kayo na lalo pa nating pagiigtingin at pagbubutihin ang pagpapatupad ng Gender Fair Ordinance para hindi na maulit ang diskriminasyon na naranasan ni Gretchen Diez,” Belmonte said. /jpv