Senator Lito Lapid revealed that he’s not confident of letting the members of the LGBTQ+ community use the toilet designated for female.
In an interview, Lapid said that there’s no need for passing a law to avoid inequality among all genders, but an additional comfort room designated for lesbian and gay should be built.
He explained that if members of the LGBTQ+ were legally allowed to use the female bathroom, some lawbreakers might use this as an excuse to do their bad acts against women.
“Kung itutuloy ang sinasabi nila na ang mga kapatid na bakla pupunta dun sa babae, eh ang dami magaling na magbakla-baklaan,” Lapid said.
He also pointed out that some cities already implemented anti-inequality ordinances that would disallow anyone to reject the LGBTQ+ people to use the comfort room they want.
“Hindi na siguro. Katulad ng Quezon City, lokal lamang nagawa nila hindi lang na implement, dapat maimplement. Napalaki ang issue dahil may nasaktan, may naagrabyado, hindi alam na me batas na pala,” Lapid said.
Lapid made the statement in the middle of the discussion on the possible implementation of the SOGIE equality bill that would give more freedom and protection to the LGBTQ+ community.
Trans woman Gretchen Diez sparked the topic of LGBTQ+ rights after she was rejected by a mall staff to use a comfort room designated for women.
She was even handcuffed and brought to Camp Karingal because of fighting for her rights.
Diez received support from high profile politicians like President Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Leni Robredo and Bataan 1st District Representative Geraldine Roman.