A transgender woman has cried foul after the owner of the hostel she stayed at in Legazpi City, Albay confronted her for using the ladies’ room. 

Jules Balais, the transgender woman involved, shared the incident on social media. 

A video showed the argument between her and a man, identified as one of the hostel owners.

Balais said she was about to check out from the hostel when the confrontation occurred after she used the ladies’ room. 

The hostel owner reportedly waited for her outside the ladies’ room enraged and told her allegedly she should not have used the ladies’ room because she was not a true woman. 

“Medyo biglaan po yung pag-escalate nung situation, [be]cause I was about to checkout na, that was 11:30 ng umaga and ginamit ko po yung restroom ng women before po ako mag-checkout,” she said.

“And then paglabas ko po ng CR (comfort room), then suddenly doon ko na po nakita yung isang lalaki na very enraged and sinisigawan po ako,” she added.

The man's wife also arrived and reportedly tried to stop Balais from recording the incident on camera.

“The owner was really shouting at me saying na I’m not a true woman — na may sex at birth is male, so it does not give me the right to use the women’s bathroom. Dun na po nag-escalate yung situation since hindi rin po kumakalma yung owner sa pagkausap po sakin,” Balais said.

The owner of the hostel is yet to release a statement, as of this writing.

An existing ordinance in Albay prohibits discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community.

The Albay Anti-SOGIE Discrimination Ordinance 0065-2021 states that denying or limiting access to public accommodations based on sexual or gender identity or orientation is considered denial of access.

In a text message, Albay Governor Grex Lagman mentioned that they will strengthen the implementation of the ordinance.

“Proper implementation ang kailangan. I can raise this issue with the PNP’s leadership here in Albay,” Lagman said.

The ordinance is set to be discussed further with the leadership of the Albay police. 

Meanwhile, Balais said she’s willing to settle the matter but hopes for greater acceptance from the community.