LGBT group laments discrimination against trans woman in QC despite ordinance

An organization for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people on Wednesday condemned the treatment of a transgender woman who tried to use the women's restroom in a mall in Quezon City.

"Nakakalungkot at nakakagalit ang pangyayaring ito ng diskriminasyon at karahasan," said lawyer Claire De Leon, secretary general of Lagablab Network, in an interview in GMA News TV's Balitanghali.

"Ang gusto lang natin makapag-CR ang mga LGBT kung saan sila komportableng mag-CR," she added.

On Tuesday, Gretchen Custodio Diez filmed a member of the mall's staff striking and speaking angrily to her after disallowing her from using the women's restroom.

Diez was handcuffed and brought to the police station, but later released.

De Leon lamented that it happened in a city where an anti-discrimination ordinance was in place.

"Ang sisi ay hindi lamang sa single na empleyadong nag-discriminate kay Gretchen kundi pati sa management ng mall for not having policies in place na magpe-prevent ng ganitong types of discrimination or harassment," De Leon said.

The lawyer said that their group will provide Diez with legal support.

Moreover, she called for the passage of the  Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Equality or SOGIE bill.

"Nakikita natin dito sa insidenteng ito na hindi sapat na mayroong mga ordinansa na applicable sa specific na cities," De Leon said. — Dona Magsino/BM, GMA News