FILE – 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 Diez filed on Friday a complaint against Araneta Center Group of Companies after she was taken under police custody for trying to enter a female toilet in a mall in Quezon City.
The complaint was filed before the Quezon City Legal Office.
On Tuesday, Diez documented the alleged harassment against her by a janitress who prevented her from entering the ladies’ room at Farmers Plaza, which is under Araneta Center.
“Diez formally filed a complaint to the QC Legal Office against Araneta Center, Inc. and Starline Security Agency for violation of the said ordinance,” Quezon City Public Affairs Department wrote in a Facebook post.
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In a press conference at Quezon City Hall, Diez said the incident was a clear violation of the Quezon City Gender Fair Ordinance.
“It is a clear violation. Today, we will be pushing through [with the filing]. We already have the documents ready. It is the fight of every gender because what happened to me can happen to anyone,” Diez said.
Quezon City is the first local government to implement a Gender-Fair Ordinance which prohibits any form of discrimination to sexual orientation.
Under the ordinance, there should be gender-neutral restrooms in establishments.
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