Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo addressed the media on President Duterte’s stance on comfort rooms for the LGBTQ+ community.
“Sabi niya (Duterte) dapat meron nang third restroom for them, napag-usapan namin ‘yun kahapon,” (He said that there should be a third restroom for them, we talked about it yesterday) said Sec. Panelo said in an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel.
Duterte’s favor is in light of the issue regarding trans woman Gretchen Diez, who was prohibited to use the female restroom in a Quezon City mall, and was even brought to the precinct because of it. This once again stirred the conversation on the implementation of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) bill.
“AkoI agree kailangan talagamay third restroom for them para wala nang problema diba? (I agree that a third restroom is needed so that there will be no more problems) That will solve everything,” Sec. Panelo said as he was asked for his opinion on the matter. He also confirmed that the President is also in favor of the SOGIE bill that was refiled by Sen. Risa Hontiveros in the 18th Congress.
Will separate restrooms really solve the issue? Trans women are women, and the use of toilets is a basic need of mankind. Separating the LGBT+ community would only put a thicker barrier between them and the rest of society.
What do you think?
Let us know in the comments.
Photo courtesy Nil Nodalo’s Instagram account
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