Vice Ganda, kinondena ang 'no crossdresser policy' sa mga establisimyento

Sa pamamagitan ng mga post sa kaniyang Twitter account, binigyan-diin ni Vice Ganda ang suporta niya sa LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community. Kasabay nito, kinondena niya ang anumang uri ng diskriminasyon kabilang na ang 'no crossdresser policy' sa mga establisimyento -- maging sa club na co-owner siya.
 
Sa post ni Vice sa naturang microblogging site, binangging nito ang Valkyrie resto-bar sa Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, kung saan mayroon daw siyang "very small share."
 
“To all members of the LGBT community: I AM ONE OF YOU AND I AM ONE WITH YOU," saad ng tv host-actor.

Dagdag pa niya, “The 'No Crossdressing Policy' in any establishment is so THIRD WORLD. If Valkyrie implements this crap I will pull out my very small share.”

To all members of the LGBT community: I AM ONE OF YOU AND I AM ONE WITH YOU.

— jose marie viceral (@vicegandako) June 22, 2015

The 'No Crossdressing Policy' in any establishment is so THIRD WORLD. If Valkyrie implements this crap i will pull out my very small share.

— jose marie viceral (@vicegandako) June 22, 2015

 
Sa isang artikulong isinulat ni Rachelle Siazon sa Philippine Entertainment Portal nitong Martes, sinabi na ang tinutukoy ni Vice ay ang reklamo ng isang fashion designer na si Veejay Floresca sa Valkyrie resto-bar.

Hindi raw pinayagan si Veejay na makapasok sa bar noong gabi ng June 12 at June 20 dahil daw sa “no crossdresser policy” ng Valkyrie, na co-owner din umano sina Tim Yap at Neil Arce.

Nang mga sandaling iyon, nakapambabaeng kasuotan daw si Veejay noong gabi ng June 12 at June 20.

Ayon sa ulat, maituturing  "transwoman" si Veejay dahil base sa U.S. identification card nito ay nakasaad na isa siyang "female."

Sinubukan umano ng PEP.ph na hingan ng reaksiyon ang pamunuan ng Valkyrie, sa pamamagitan ng pakikipag-usap sa telepono kay Neil Arce.

Ngunit wala pa raw ipinapadalang opisyal na pahayag ang pamunuan ng Valkyrie hinggil sa isyu.   Nananatiling bukas ang PEP sa anumang pahayag na nais ipahayag ng pamunuan ng Valkyrie, Veejay Floresca, at Vice Ganda.

Tutugunan ang usapin-- JM Rodriguez

Samantala, kabilang ang creative director si Queenmelo Esguerra, sa mga nagpahayag din ng saloobin tungkol sa sinasabing "no crossdressing policy" sa Valkyrie.

Sa post ni Queenmelo sa kaniyang Facebook account, nanawagan siya sa pamunuan ng Valkyrie at maging sa iba pang establisimyento na igalang ang karapatan ng bawat isa.

"To Valkyrie and the management and investors behind it and all the other nightclubs in the country. let's celebrate the Philippine nightlife with an open mind and respect for individuality. The last thing we need in a great party is for everyone to look and think the same. Studio 54 was an iconic nightclub because it celebrated diversity and welcomed everyone from all walks of life, particularly the LGBT community!

"Be part of the culture of change in the country by putting a STOP to gender discrimination, homophobia and transphobia. It's time to put an end to this "No Crossdressing Policy".

"Thank you for your support!

Nakibahagi naman sa palitan ng komento sa naturang post si JM Rodriguez, na isa sa mga co-owner ng Valkyrie.

Bagaman iginiit niya na na wala umanong "no cross dressing policy" sa club, sinabi nito na may karapatan ang bawat establisimyento na tanggihan ang sinumang nais na pumasok sa club, anuman ang kasarian nito.

Ipinaliwanag din niya na nasasaktan siya sa kumakalat na balitang tungkol sa umano'y patakaran ng club lalo pa't marami siyang mga kaibigan sa LGBT.

JM Rodriguez: "we just spoke about this. Where is this coming from. ? I thought it was clear. There is no such thing as a no cross dressing policy ! I feel betrayed!"

JM Rodriguez:  "My point Carl's is we have the right refuse whoever no matter what sex they are. It's not about gender and never will be."

JM Rodriguez: "You can ask all of my trans friends who come to Valkyrie and hang with me every week This is not about gender. This is simply about following dress code rules, that's all. I really hope you see what we are trying to enforce. It's the same rule every club in the world follows. Again this is never about sexuality. It will break my heart for people to think that because I love transgenders , they are my true friends and I would never let that happen to them in my club."

-- FRJ, GMA News