Gretchen Diez (right) was turned over to Police Station 7 of the Quezon City Police District after she was barred from entering a ladies’ room in a mall. (Photo from the QCPD Public Information Office)
MANILA, Philippines — Transgender woman Gretchen Custodio Diez called on President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday to push for the passage of the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression (SOGIE) bill that aims to prohibit discrimination against sexual orientation.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to talk to our President,” Diez said during a press conference with the Quezon City Pride Council in Quezon City.
“I think it is a very big step that he signed the ‘Ang Bawal Ang Bastos Law’ and it is very admirable of him and it just shows how much he loves the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual [LGBTQIA+] community so Mr. President sana ipagpatuloy na natin at ipasa ang SOGIE Equality bill.”
On Tuesday, Diez was arrested after she took a live video of a janitress preventing her from entering the ladies’ room at the Farmer’s Plaza in Quezon City.
Araneta Center Group of Companies already issued an apology but Diez said she is looking into filing a case against the management of Farmer’s Plaza.
READ: Transgender woman in women’s comfort room causes stir in QC mall
READ: Despite apology from mall, trans woman eyes charges
Diez expressed dismay over the incident as it happened in Quezon City which passed the Gender Fair ordinance which seeks to protect the rights of LGBTQIA+.
“It is disappointing that what happened to me happened inside in Quezon City which is supposed to be celebrating, accepting, and embracing people like me because we are also human beings,” Diez said.
Diez added that the incident was a “wake-up call” to the public to stop the harassment against the LGBTQIA+ community.
“It is time for us to wake up, ilan pa po ba ang katulad ko na ma-ha-harass? Ilan ang katulad ko ang babastusin? Ilan ang katulad ko ang ide-deprive ang karapatan na gamitin ang palikuran?” Diez said.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said on Thursday that Duterte is supporting the SOGIE bill.
Panelo, however, noted that he couldn’t say if Duterte will certify the measure as urgent to allow its swift passage. /jpv
READ: Panelo: Duterte supports SOGIE bill