The Need of Separate Restroom for LGBT: Exploring Real Cases

While many are focused on the Burning of Amazon forest, the issue about separate restroom for LGBT is still very popular. Within this essay we will explore the case about Gretchen Custodio Diez - a transgender woman who was detained because of using the comfort room for females of a mall in Quezon City, according to a report on GMA News' Saksi. After the report, many concerned citizens and netizens gave their own opinions about this issue with some queries like having another comfort room for the third sex.

Both Sides Arguments About Separate Restroom for LGBT People

The cons or those who are on the side of the janitress come with comments and questions like “Why would the public adjust? There are only two sex the male and female it does not need to have another comfort room.” “Non-transgender should also be protected. What if someone enters the comfort room for girls who just pretend to be transgender?” and “Most individuals do not understand the word respect. They are just thinking about their welfare. No discrimination occurred. Janitress only cares about women’s well-being.”

While those who are in favor of are willing to make a change. Just like Vice Ganda who called on the government to create gender-neutral public restrooms following an incident wherein transgender woman Gretchen Diez was banned from using the female restroom at Farmers Plaza in Cubao, Quezon City. The It's Showtime host suggested on Friday, August 16 during the Tawag ng Tanghalan segment of the noontime show. According to Vice, he was initially not in favor of creating a separate restroom for the LGBTQ+ community – until the incident involving Gretchen happened. Vice said “Before, when I'd be asked if gay or transgender persons, the LGBTQ community should have a separate bathroom from males and females, I would say no. But since it became an issue, I've come to realize that maybe the LGBTQ+ community should have a separate restroom. Because if we use the male bathroom, men are uncomfortable. If men aren't comfortable, neither are we. And when a gay person or trans woman use the female restroom, women are uncomfortable.

The LGBT community isn't comfortable when others are uncomfortable. So, we adjust, we don't go to the bathroom at all. So, if nobody is comfortable, let's not force it. Why don't you just make us our bathroom, for all LGBT, so everyone has a safe space? I'm calling on the government, please create a safe place for everyone. If they won't accept us, give us our public restroom. We just want to pee and poop. That's it.” More artists have reacted to the issue of discrimination like Bianca Gonzalez, and Pia Wurtzbach. Diez finds friends with artists such as Ice Seguerra, Heart Evangelista, KaladKaren, Frankie Pangilinan; and even politicians Senator Risa Hontiveros and Bataan 1st District Representative Geraldine Roman, who is also a trans woman. Congresswoman Roman has also resolved to investigate Diez’s fate in the Chamber. Calls to create a separate bathroom for the LGBTQ+ community isn't new – but it's also a point of disagreement, especially for advocates who are pushing for acceptance and not mere tolerance.

Conclusion

Some cities and private businesses already have to gender-neutral restrooms in their respective areas – but this has yet to be institutionalized in the Philippines. The anti-SOGIE discrimination bill failed to pass during the last Congress. But, as a result of this issue, there has been a growing call to approve the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Bill, also known as the anti-discrimination bill. 

References

1. Grant, J. M., Mottet, L. A., & Tanis, J. (2011). National Transgender Discrimination Survey Report on Health and Health Care. National LGBTQ Task Force.

2. Kosciw, J. G., Greytak, E. A., Zongrone, A. D., Clark, C. M., & Truong, N. L. (2018). The 2017 National School Climate Survey: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Youth in Our Nation's Schools. GLSEN.

3. Bränström, R., Hatzenbuehler, M. L., & Pachankis, J. E. (2016). Sexual orientation disparities in physical health: Age and gender effects in a population-based study. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 51(2), 289-301.

4. Scheim, A. I., & Bauer, G. R. (2016). Sex and gender diversity among transgender persons in Ontario, Canada: Results from a respondent-driven sampling survey. Journal of Sex Research, 53(1), 75-86.

5. Institute of Medicine. (2011). The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding. National Academies Press.

6. Taylor, C. L., & Peter, T. (2011). Schools in transition: A guide for supporting transgender students in K-12 schools. Gender Creative Kids Canada.

7. National Center for Transgender Equality. (2015). Restroom Access for Transgender Employees: Best Practices Guide.

8. Minniecon, D. (2017). Making and Managing Space: Gender-Neutral Bathrooms in Universities and Schools. Australian Feminist Studies, 32(91), 58-75.

9. Peitzmeier, S. M., Khullar, K., Potter, J., Cook, M., & Mayer, K. H. (2018). Reaching those at greatest risk: A modeling study to estimate risk of HIV acquisition in transgender individuals in the United States. PloS One, 13(8), e0200479.

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10. Bauer, G. R., Scheim, A. I., Pyne, J., Travers, R., & Hammond, R. (2015). Intervenable factors associated with suicide risk in transgender persons: A respondent driven sampling study in Ontario, Canada. BMC Public Health, 15(1), 1-14.