A recent advisory from the Quezon City Business Permits and Licensing Department (QC-BPLD) encouraged all business establishments to designate all-gender toilet rooms and lavatories.
The notice cited a provision of City Ordinance No. SP-2357, S-2014, otherwise known as the Quezon City Gender-Fair Ordinance, which states: “All government agencies, private offices, and commercial/ industrial establishments shall designate toilet rooms and lavatories for the equal and shared use of individuals of all genders”
Ma. Margarita T. Santos, Ph. D., Head of the QC-BPLD, reiterated the city’s stance on equal rights, and its firm commitment to ensure the protection of those rights, regardless of gender identity. “As a city, we are always actively working towards true gender equality – protecting the rights of the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, etc) community and abolishing all forms of discrimination,” she expounded. “Mandating gender-inclusive comfort rooms in government offices, and encouraging business establishments to do the same, is a small but significant step towards that goal.”
With this, QC is looking to build or designate a third all-gender CR in all government and public spaces. The gender-inclusive comfort rooms can be used by individuals who do not strictly identify as cisgender males or females, and thus create a safer and more comfortable environment for them.
Santos also reiterated the support of other QC departments for this gender-inclusive policy of QC Mayor Joy Belmonte, who is considered by many among the LGBTQIA+ community to be a champion and a staunch ally. “I think I speak on behalf of the other local government departments and Mayor Joy when I say that the City’s support for the queer community will never waver. We will take steps big and small to ensure that everyone, regardless of gender, will have equal rights and accessibility,” she concluded.
