DAVAO CITY — The Davao City government has converted the restrooms at the ground floor of the Sangguniang Panlungsod building to "all-gender restroom’ to accommodate the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community.
This was announced by Vice Mayor Bernard Al-ag, who said the all-gender comfort room is seen to reduce discrimination against people who have other sexual preference.
This move also strengthens the city's implementation of the anti-discrimination ordinance approved in 2012.
“We are just finalizing the signage, anytime next week we will launch it. It will be placed at the ground floor,” Al-ag said.
He said it is time to put up the all-gender comfort room, citing last year’s incident where a transgender woman figured in a heated altercation with another woman who felt "uncomfortable" with her presence.
“Following our anti-discrimination ordinance, it will be an opportunity for the LGBT community not to be discriminated against with this all-gender comfort room,” Al-ag said.
Al-ag said the Sanguniang Panlungsod should serve as the avenue for the LGBT community to express their gender preference without being discriminated.
Under the anti-discrimination ordinance of the city, Dabawenyos are prohibited from discriminating against people based on gender, religion, life status and others.
Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte has also proposed an amendment to the ordinance to include the health status of a person, following reports that some workers were dismissed from their work because they have Hepatitis B.
Last year, the Ateneo de Davao University put up its gender- friendly restrooms. (Funny Pearl Gajunera/PNA)
