Transwoman denied restroom access alleges discrimination

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

A transwoman has alleged discrimination after a janitress at a local supermarket and grocery chain in Iloilo City allegedly barred her from entering the women’s restroom on Tuesday, Aug. 19.

The transwoman, identified as Ayumi Nicole, said she was “deeply traumatized and humiliated” when the janitress at Marymart Center in the City Proper district stopped her at the restroom entrance and called a security guard to prevent her entry.

“Diin mo ko gusto mag-CR? Girl ko yah gani. LGBT ko yah, miss. Trans ko yah, miss. [Where do you want me to go? I am a girl. I am part of the LGBT community. I am a transwoman],” she said in an 11-second video posted on Facebook.

Nicole also wrote on Facebook that the incident left her feeling “singled out, disrespected, and discriminated against in a place where I should have felt safe and welcome.”

She is demanding disciplinary action against the personnel involved and has urged the establishment to conduct inclusivity and sensitivity training for staff.

The transwoman said she expects a “clear and concrete response” from management on how the matter will be addressed.

Meanwhile, the city’s Office of the LGBTQ+ Affairs said that after a meeting with the management, the company expressed willingness to cooperate.

“Their management has signified readiness to take concrete action upon receipt of a formal letter of complaint from our office,” the office said.

It added that the management also showed openness to institutional changes, including the possible installation of all-gender restrooms.

“We recognize Marymart’s willingness to listen and to act, and we will hold them accountable to their commitments,” it added.

In an earlier statement, the LGBTQ+ Affairs office said it was “deeply alarmed and disheartened” by the incident.

“This kind of treatment is unacceptable. Iloilo City has long prided itself on being a safe and inclusive space for people of diverse SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics),” the office said.

It emphasized that denial of restroom access based on gender identity undermines the city’s ongoing efforts to uphold dignity, respect, and equal rights for all.

The office cited Regulation Ordinance No. 2018-090, the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance of Iloilo City, which prohibits acts of discrimination based on SOGIESC—including denying access to public facilities such as restrooms.

“What transpired today is a clear violation of this ordinance. Discrimination has no place in Iloilo City,” the office added.

Under the ordinance, the following penalties apply to acts of discrimination based on sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, descent, ethnic origin, or religious beliefs:

• First offense: Admonition and a fine of PHP1,000
• Second offense: Fine of PHP2,000 and imprisonment of up to 10 days, at the court’s discretion
• Third offense: Fine of PHP5,000 and imprisonment of 15 days

The office stressed it will “exhaust all legal means to ensure justice is served” and hopes the case will be “a turning point for stronger protection” of the LGBTQ+ community.