Fashion designer denied entry to a BGC club because of gender identity

US-based Filipina fashion designer Veejay Floresca, who was on holiday in the Philippines, was reportedly denied entry to a club in Bonifacio Global City because of her gender identity.

In a Facebook post, model and activist Geena Rocero, who gave a TED Talk about coming out last year, explained that Floresca was initially not allowed inside the Valkyrie club because of a "No crossdressers allowed" policy. The fashion designer was there to attend a friend's birthday party at the nightclub.

"They told her even though she showed her California ID with female name and gender marker, 'Lalaki pa [r]in ['y]an,'" Rocero wrote.

The model then called on Valkyrie owners Tim Yap and Neil Arce to acknowledge this mistake. Rocero had even arranged a talk with the management regarding the policy but Valkyrie postponed the meeting.

"Enough of this Hypocrisy, Ignorance, Discrimination, Erasure and Denial of our Personhood," Rocero added.

Though Floresca was eventually allowed in the nightclub, she said in her own Facebook post that she was denied entry to the club twice.

Though there were no hard feelings, she hoped the incident would bring more awareness to the current situation of transgenders in the Philippines.

"If there are people who can't accept me for who I am, let it be. We can't please everyone. It's impossible. But at least I did something to give awareness about the current situation of transgenders in the Philippines," she wrote.

"Transgender women are human beings like anybody else. We have feelings and emotions. We have the courage to accept our genuine self, our true identity despite the harm, danger, and discrimination from people who can't understand," she explained further.  

Meanwhile, TV personality Vice Ganda tweeted on Monday that he would pull out his "very small share" from Valkyrie if it continued to implent the "No Crossdressing Policy."

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

A few nights earlier, reigning Miss Gay Manila, Trixie Maristela, had also been denied entry into Valkyrie for not being "dressed as a man."



— Trisha Macas/DVM, GMA News