Transgender woman barred from ladies' room files discrimination charges

A transgender woman has filed a complaint for discrimination before the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office against two security guards for barring her from entering the women's bathroom at her workplace.

"Pumasok po ako sa female restroom during our break nang bigla na lang akong harangin at palabasin ng isang babaeng guwardiya," said Mara La Torre, formerly John Gerard, on GMA News' "News To Go" Friday.

She continued, "Sinabi niya sa akin, 'Ma'am, bakit po kayo andito?' (Tinanong ko) bakit? And then she replied to me, 'Ma'am bawal po kasi kayo dito.' And then I said, 'Bakit, eh babae ako?'"

La Torre said the incident, which happened on Feb. 20, is a violation of Quezon City Ordinance No. SP-1309 S-2003, which prohibits "all discriminatory acts against homosexuals in the workplace, whether in hiring, treatment, promotion or dismissal, in both the government and private sector."

The ordinance penalizes discrimination against homosexuals with a fine of up to P5,000 and up to six months in prison.



"Bilang isang transgender woman, ina-identify ko ang sarili ko as a woman, at ang pagpapalabas sa akin sa female restroom ay ang pagtanggal ng aking karapatan at pribelehiyo na pumasok sa isang pasilidad where I identify myself with," said La Torre.

The Association of Transgender People of the Philippines is backing La Torre's complaint and has promised to monitor developments closely. Dindi Tan, political, legal, and interorganizational head for the group, said the case is "a good test to see if this ordinance has teeth."

GMA News sought comment from the security guards and from Teleperformance, La Torre's employer, but they have yet to respond.

To prevent further incidents, Commission on Human Rights Chairperson Etta Rosales suggested the use of more unisex bathrooms in public spaces.

"As long as yung urinal malinis [at] sanitary, eh yung unisex puwede na. Puwede nang lalaki, puwede nang babae, puwede nang transgender," said Rosales. — Rie Takumi/JDS, GMA News