Ice Seguerra bats for gender-neutral restrooms 

MANILA, Philippines – Singer and former National Youth Commission (NYC) chairperson Ice Seguerra is bating for gender-neutral restrooms and said the concerns of transgender people have yet to “fully transition.”

Seguerra made the call amid debates over the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Bill, a measure seeking to protect members of the lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, queers, intersexuals, and asexuals (LGBTQIA+) community from discrimination.

https://www.facebook.com/CYSeguerra/posts/2384359898351243?_rdc=1&_rdr

While a lot of transgender people are already using their preferred comfort rooms, Seguerra said the issue is a bigger concern for those like himself who have yet to fully transition and blend in.

“Sa totoo lang, and I am 100% sure, marami na pong transgender people ang nakakasama ninyo sa comfort rooms. Hindi niyo lang alam or napapansin because they have already transitioned (nakakapag take na ng hormones, probably gender reassignment surgery),” Seguerra wrote in a Facebook post over the weekend.

“Hindi kayo maiilang because they already look female or male. Ika nga, nakapag ‘blend in’ na sila sa mata ng mga tao,” he added.

The singer continued: “The comfort room issue is a concern for those of us who haven’t fully transitioned. Concern ito for those of us who know we are transgender but are being clocked (or looked at) because our features don’t look man or woman enough sa standards ng karamihan.”

Seguerra said it is painful to see fellow members of the LGBTIA+ community who are indifferent about the transgender people’s plight against discrimination.

“It pains me to see posts from friends especially from the LGBTQIA+ community na parang galit pa sa transpeople because we are speaking up about this. Pinagtatawanan kami, posting memes, and worse, speaking up against supporting the SOGIE Bill kasi hindi naman daw nila naranasan ang diskriminasyon so hindi nila kailangan,” he said.

Some may be lucky enough to have the ease of using restrooms, but Seguerra stressed that not everyone has the same experience.

“Swerte kayo kasi whenever you feel like going to the toilet, you can easily go without people questioning you,” Seguerra said.

“Swerte kayo. Pero hindi lahat swerte.”

“We are not disregarding your feelings or reservations about this issue. Kaya nga ang hiling namin ay sana may gender-neutral comfort rooms din. Para walang mailang on both sides,” Seguerra pointed out.

Seguerra earlier shared some frustrating incidents about using restrooms, admitting not feeling safe when he is prevented from using one.  /gsg

READ: Ice Seguerra deplores transgender comfort room discrimination