The Department of Tourism (DOT) has announced it be conducting an investigation on an alleged sexual harassment and gender discrimination incident between a transgender guest and resort personnel in Samal Island.
Regional Director Tanya Rabat-Tan shared a DOT statement stating that the agency is an advocate of gender equality and mainstreaming, and does not tolerate any form of gender-based harassment nor discrimination in its systems, structures, policies, programs, and processes.
Isla Reta Beach Resort is under fire after Shannon Remotigue Gonzaga, a trans-woman, posted on her Facebook account her disappointment against the resort for prohibiting her to use the bathroom for women.
The incident gained negative reactions from different LGBTQ organizations and supporters of transgender community.
To avoid discrimination issue, Isla Reta owner Mario Reta said in a released statement that the resort will no longer accommodate transgenders due to the lack of facilities for them. His statement received criticisms from individuals and organizations supporting transgenders and LGBTQ.
The Mindanao Pride, a LGBTQ organization, condemned the alleged discriminatory policy of Isla Reta Beach Resort against the Transgender community.
The group stands that rinsing or washing is a normal act of hygiene and that in the context of COVID-19, washing is a vital preventive measure in the fight against the pandemic which everyone should be able to do regardless of gender and sexuality.
The University of the Philippines (UP) Babaylan also reported stating that “trans women are women, and as this and many other cases have proven, trans people are actually the ones getting harassed in restrooms.”
Meanwhile, Commissioner Norman Baloro, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor and LGBT advocate, said in the context of denying Gonzaga requesting to use the female washroom a clear act of discrimination.
DOT enjoins the entire tourism industry to abide by the national laws on gender and development.
