Valenzuela to get ‘gender-fair’ toilets

MANILA, Philippines — Valenzuela will soon get its own gender-fair public and private toilets  following the passage of a city ordinance seeking to criminalize discrimination of lesbians, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (SOGIE).

In Ordinance 549 approved by Mayor Rex Gatchalian last March 11 and authored by Councilor Kimberly Galang, acts of discrimination based on gender is punishable with a fine ranging from P1,000 to P5,000 and imprisonment between six months and a year, depending on the number of offenses.

Among the prohibited acts include denying access to services in educational institutions or workplaces or the use of private and public facilities; humiliating based on gender on social media; and including SOGIE in the criteria for hiring or dismissal.

The ordinance mandates LGBTQ desks in every barangay and the construction of gender-fair toilets in public and private business establishments.

The funds will be sourced from the city’s gender and development budget.