LGBTQI unity statement on anti-transgender discrimination and harassment in Isla Reta Beach Resort

(Text on this image provided as follows.)

LGBTQI UNITY STATEMENT ON ANTI-TRANSGENDER DISCRIMINATION & HARASSMENT IN ISLA RETA BEACH RESORT‪

There is no place for discrimination and harassment in all public places. We vehemently condemn Isla Reta’s unjust treatment of our trans sibling, Shannon Gonzaga, and their discriminatory policy of outright banning transgender people from their beach resort.‬

On May 8, resort staff prohibited Shannon from using the women’s bathroom and even demanded a video of their genitals to “prove” their gender identity. When Shannon reported it to the management, they were met with the same discriminatory treatment as the management affirmed that it was indeed the resort policy. The resort owner’s statement tries to justify their discriminatory policy and the incident of harassment through remarks that reeks of stigma and prejudice.

Aside from it being an act of gender-based discrimination, it violates a person’s basic rights and dignity. Insisting that any person, regardless of SOGIE, show their genitals before allowing them to use any facility can never be valid. Furthermore, this is in direct violation of the Safe Spaces Act, which prohibits gender-based and sexual harassment in public spaces, an act of violence that the trans community has endured for so long.

Even without an anti-discrimination law, private establishments cannot impose discriminatory policies that effectively enable gender-based sexual harassment. Under the Safe Spaces Act, privately-owned places open to the public, including resorts, are required to adopt a zero tolerance policy against sexual harassment and to create a safe gender-sensitive environment for victims of gender-based sexual harassment. Instead of creating a safe space, Isla Reta Resort assisted this incident of harassment.

We urge Isla Reta to comply with the Safe Spaces Act and to work with LGBTQI organizations in making their resort more inclusive. We also urge the Department of Tourism and the local government unit of the Island to investigate other possible violations of other establishments under the Safe Spaces Act and other existing laws.

This incident underscores the need for the immediate passage of a national anti-discrimination law to prohibit all forms of discrimination against persons of diverse SOGIESC. Pass the SOGIE Equality Bill now!

#TransWomenAreWomen

#SOGIEEqualityNow

#PassADBNow

Signatories:

Lagablab LGBT Network

Babaylanes, Inc.

UP Babaylan

Rainbow Rights

Gender and Development Advocates (GANDA) Filipinas

LakanBini Advocates Pilipinas

LGBTS Christian Church Philippines

LGBTQ Plus Party-list

Pioneer Filipino Transgender Men Movement

PANTAY

Transman Equality and Awareness Movement

CURLS

Gayon Albay LGBT Org., Inc.

Outrage Magazine

Bahaghari Center for SOGIE Research, Education and Advocacy, Inc.

Safezone CIIT

PUP Kasarianlan

TLF SHARE Collective, Inc.

Iloilo Pride Team

Metro Manila Pride

Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP)

Mujer-LGBT Organization, Inc

Ladlad Partylist

Equality Philippines

Side B Philippines

Pinoy Deaf Rainbow

TransDeaf Philippines

CARE (Center for HIV and AIDS Responses)

Mindanao Pride

EMPRESS- MSU

ASEAN SOGIE Caucus

UPLB Babaylan

Transman of Sibugay

Galang Philippines

Sources:

[1] https://www.facebook.com/IslaReta.../posts/4089724311085401 [No longer available as at blog's date]

[2] https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1894334/Davao/Local-News/Resort-under-fire-after-alleged-discrimination

[3] https://www.facebook.com/635470006595137/posts/2202004936608295/