Gretchen Diez

Gretchen Custodio Diez – is a Filipino transgender woman who gained prominence when she got arrested on August 13, 2019 at Farmer’s Plaza, Cubao, Quezon City for using female comfort room. Her arrest started a renewed debate on the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill. (1)

Diez, a 28-year-old transgender woman who work as a cognitive development specialist in Ortigas District, Pasig City, cited violation of Quezon City’s 2014 anti-discrimination ordinance when a female janitor of the mall barred her. She was detained when the mall’s management filed an unjust vexation case against her. (2)
In connection to this incident, Senator Risa Hontiveros again called for the passage of the SOGIE Equality bill. Likewise, Representative Geraldine Roman called for a House probe against the discrimination. (3). The Philippine National Police (PNP) also vowed to investigate the matter. (4)
On August 20, 2019 Gretchen Diez had a meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. It was considered a step towards equality for the members of the LGBTQIA+ in the country. It was here that the president promised to push for the SOGIE Equality Bill passage. (5). On the same day, a senate hearing on SOGIE Bill was conducted by Senator Hontiveros, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality. (6)
(1) https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/16/19/pang-parlor-lang-trans-woman-gretchen-diez-hits-stereotypes
(2) https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/15/19/palace-calls-for-respect-for-lgbt-rights-after-discrimination-vs-trans-woman
(3) https://www.rappler.com/nation/237702-geraldine-roman-vows-house-probe-discrimination-vs-gretchen-diez
(4) https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/8/20/Transgender-woman-arrest-Gretchen-Diez-investigation.html
(5) https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/8/20/Duterte-Gretchen-Diez-SOGIE-Equality-Bill.html
(6) https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/multimedia/photo/08/20/19/hearing-out-the-lgbtq