In the controversy on “Gretchen Diez,” the bone of contention may not necessarily be the issue of discrimination against LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) as much as it is the violation of one’s legal and human rights.
Transwoman Diez herself caught on video the maltreatment she experienced in the hands of maintenance and security personnel of Farmers’ Plaza in Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City a few days ago.
So, the janitors and security guards cannot deny their utter disregard of the laws when they forced Diez out of the restroom and detained her for hours.
Diez's ordeal did not end when Quezon City policemen came who, instead of resolving the dispute, readily handcuffed and hauled her to the police station despite no clear justification. One thing clear is the fact that the policemen themselves prejudiced against the transwoman.
It is not anyone else's business what ever bias those nincompoops at Farmers' Plaza have against the LGBTQs for as long as nobody's legal and human rights are trampled on.
Conservative people may find LGBTQs mannerisms and actuations disgusting but one cannot deprive them of their rights just because one finds them repulsive.
The bathroom incident at Farmers' Plaza may be a simple case of stupidity that led to the abuse and maltreatment of Diez.
The janitress did not have the right to stop Diez from using the bathroom, thinking that she was just a transvestite or a cross-dresser at first. Still, the janitors and the security guards refused to believe when Diez told them she was a "transwoman."
Would the janitress have stopped a lesbian or a tomboy from using either the women's or men's bathroom?
Don't tell me there was a need for Diez to show a transgender certificate like what they are just implementing in the United Kingdom?
There is no need for that here in the Philippines.
The culprits, including the cops, were either acting out their prejudice against Diez or they were in fact simply morons.
Either way, they are liable for the hateful maltreatment and abuse of one fine, educated and cultured woman.
Ignorance of the law excuses no one.
