Duterte meets transgender Gretchen Diez

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, who organized the meeting, said the President and Diez were also joined by other LGBTQ advocates including 1st District of Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman. (Photo courtesy of Senator Bong Go)

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night met Gretchen Diez, a transgender who figured in the news after being barred from entering a female restroom.

During their meeting in Malacañang, Duterte vowed to work with Congress to push for the passage of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill that would protect the rights of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) community against discrimination.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, who organized the meeting, said the President and Diez were also joined by other LGBTQ advocates including 1st District of Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman.

Go, who has been vocal about his support for the SOGIE bill, said discussed during the meeting was the possibility of creating a commission for LGBTQ pending the enactment of a SOGIE law.

On the other hand, he said government plans to coordinate with LGBTQ groups to create a national LGBTQ convention where advocates from different regions will be represented to raise their concerns and come up with policy proposals to promote and protect their welfare.

“The LGBTQ advocates expressed their gratitude after the meeting and are looking forward to the passage of a law that will protect them from discrimination before the President’s term ends,” Go said in a statement.

Last week, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the act of barring Diez from entering a female restroom is a “violation” of the city’s Gender-Fair Ordinance that protects members of the LGBT community from discrimination.

Under the local measure, it is unlawful to “ridicule, to commit harassment, disallow the entry from any establishment, promote discrimination and to commit any act that demeans the dignity and self-respect of a person.”

The SOGIE bill, which was refiled by Senator Risa Hontiveros in the 18th Congress, seeks to penalize discrimination against the LGBT community by a fine of PHP100,000 to PHP500,000 or imprisonment of six to 12 years subject to the discretion of the court.