Gretchen Diez says she's open to running for office

Transgender woman Gretchen Diez on Saturday expressed openness to the possibility of running for offfice to maximize all means in advocating for change and equality for the LGBTQ+ community.

"I'm willing to maximize all of the power that's in front of me para makapag-advocate ng change sa ating bansa. If it takes running for office, then I'm open for that. Siguro wala naman pong masama na ang isang transgender na katulad ko ay mabigyan ng pagkakataon na magkaroon ng boses lalo na po sa ating pamahalaan," Diez said in an interview on the sidelines of the Kapihan sa Eurotel Media Forum in Quezon City.

WATCH: Gretchen Diez says she is open to running for public office to “maximize all the power” in advocating for equality and change for the LGBTQ+ community. | via @Ted_Cordero /GMA News Online pic.twitter.com/QdhyhrV7Up

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The transgender woman, however, clarified that all she wants is to find justice over the alleged discrimination she experienced at the Farmer's Plaza Mall in Cubao, Quezon City last week.

"Sabi na gusto pa nila akong tumakbo. Ako po ngayon ang gusto ko lang naman po ay mabigyan ng katarungan ang nangyari po sa akin kasi po 28 years po akong nabubuhay sa mundo, 28 years ko pong naranasan ang diskriminasyon," Diez said.

"Noong mga panahon na ako'y bata pa at wala pa akong edukasyon at wala pa po akong kaalaman tungkol sa pagsulong ng mga karapatan ko. Now that I'm given the education, now I'm given this privelege to be the voice of the LGBTQ+ community or being the voice for equality," she said.

Diez, 28, ended up in handcuffs at the Quezon City Police Department (QCPD) Station 7 after trying to use the women's restroom at the Farmer’s Plaza on Tuesday. 

She had recorded a video of her confrontation with a cleaning lady who led her out of the restroom, insisting that she use the male restroom instead.

Diez was later arrested, subjected to an investigation, and taken to the Quirino Memorial Medical Center to undergo medical examination.

She was eventually released in the evening after the mall’s management dropped the charges against her. The janitress involved has also issued an apology through a letter at the police station.

Diez lodged a complaint against Araneta Center Inc., Starline Security Agency, Inc., and the sanitation services agency contracted by the Araneta Center, Inc. for violation of the city's Gender Fair Ordinance. 

She pushed through with the complaint as the alleged discrimination against her took place amid the existence of Quezon City’s Gender Fair Ordinance.

The discrimination experienced by Diez brought to the spotlight the need for a Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) law.

The SOGIE Equality bill seeks to protect the members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community from discriminatory acts. —KG, GMA News