The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) strongly condemns the discrimination faced by Gretchen Custodio Diez on Tuesday, August 13, while at a Cubao mall. As Gender Ombud of the country, CHR denounces all forms of bigotry and discrimination against our persons of diverse SOGIE, and urges the government, as well as employers, around the country to make sure their workers are properly trained to prevent any similar future incidents. Ignorance manifests as discrimination, and this is something we can combat with better training, awareness, and education.

Diez, a transwoman, was barred from using the women’s restroom by a janitress who insisted she use the men’s restroom instead. This treatment goes against Quezon City’s Anti-Discrimination Ordinance, which prohibits discrimination based on a person’s SOGIE. When Diez confronted the janitress, Diez broadcasted the exchange on Facebook live. This was when Diez was handcuffed. She was later detained. The arrest was due to the staffers reportedly being distressed that Diez recorded them without their permission. Diez was brought to QCPD Station 7 (Cubao) and then to QCPD’s Anti-Cybercrime Division. After she was released at around midnight, Diez told reporters that the staff members have dropped the charges, and the janitress had apologized to her through a letter.

This case has been endorsed to both CHR’s Gender, Equality, and Women’s Human Rights Center, and the CHR NCR office. Both offices will be investigating to help ensure no other person has to go through this kind of discrimination again. CHR also once again calls for the passage of the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill, as there is a clear need for the LGBTQIA+ community to have this kind of legal protection against all forms of discrimination.