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Position-Paper

The document discusses the necessity of implementing mandatory gender-neutral restrooms in the Philippines to promote inclusivity and safety for all individuals, particularly transgender and non-binary people. It highlights the legal and social implications of restroom access, the challenges faced by these communities, and recent mandates by the Manila City government for establishments to provide such facilities. Financial constraints pose a significant barrier to widespread implementation, necessitating innovative funding solutions to ensure equitable access to inclusive spaces.

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Maria Alexsandria Saludo
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8 views

Position-Paper

The document discusses the necessity of implementing mandatory gender-neutral restrooms in the Philippines to promote inclusivity and safety for all individuals, particularly transgender and non-binary people. It highlights the legal and social implications of restroom access, the challenges faced by these communities, and recent mandates by the Manila City government for establishments to provide such facilities. Financial constraints pose a significant barrier to widespread implementation, necessitating innovative funding solutions to ensure equitable access to inclusive spaces.

Uploaded by

Maria Alexsandria Saludo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Mandatory Gender-Neutral

Restrooms in the Philippines

A Position Paper Presented to the Faculty of


FAITH Fidelis Senior High

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Subjects:


English for Academic & Professional Purposes,
Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person,
and Oral Communication in Context

Submitted by:

Ariola, Cymon Perez


Besabe, James Wilfred Razon
Caguicla, Joshane Balba
Macalintal, Charisse Hernandez
Manalo, Ma. Lyra Trillana
Saludo, Maria Alexsandria Dela Cruz
Unigo, Arc Gabriel Gonzales

November 2023
Maria, a twenty-four-year-old transgender employee, devastatingly received a complaint
from her co-worker and was issued an incident report following her usage of the women’s
restroom (De La Cruz, 2023). In a world that continually evolves towards inclusivity and
equality, the imperative of establishing gender-neutral restrooms stands as a crucial milestone in
fostering truly inclusive spaces. The debate surrounding restroom facilities transcends the
physical boundaries of washroom stalls, reaching into the realms of societal norms, human
rights, and the very essence of personal identity. The need for facilities that can accommodate
everyone, regardless of gender identity, is becoming more and more evident as we work through
the complexities of gender diversity and inclusivity. "Mandatory Gender-Neutral Restrooms in
the Philippines" addresses the social, psychological, and legal implications of this imperative,
delving into its numerous aspects.

The search for gender-neutral restrooms emerges not just as a convenience but also as a
crucial step towards a more equitable and understanding society in a time when the need for
acceptance is louder than ever. Gender-neutral restrooms, often designated as spaces where
individuals of any gender can comfortably use restroom facilities, challenge traditional notions
of public accommodation. This issue has gained significant traction in recent years, reflecting a
broader societal shift toward recognizing and respecting diverse gender identities. The
transgender and non-binary communities, in particular, face unique challenges in accessing safe
and affirming restroom facilities.

Discrimination, harassment, and discomfort are general in conventional gender-


segregated restrooms, emphasizing the urgency of adopting gender-neutral alternatives. Several
studies show that denying people the ability to use restrooms that correspond with their gender
identity has a negative impact on their mental health, emphasizing how urgent it is to create
inclusive spaces. In addition, the legal environment is changing to address these issues, with
numerous nations acknowledging the significance of gender-neutral restrooms as a basic human
right. Implementing the imperative of having gender-neutral restrooms should be established in
our community because it promotes safety and security, fosters inclusivity, and mitigates
discrimination.

Moreover, establishing gender-neutral restrooms in the Philippines contributes to the


enhanced safety and security of individuals. By providing facilities that are inclusive of all
gender identities, the likelihood of discriminatory incidents and harassment is reduced. This
fosters a sense of safety for transgender and non-binary individuals who may otherwise face
vulnerabilities in traditional gender-segregated spaces. Moreover, gender-neutral restrooms
promote a culture of mutual respect, emphasizing the importance of creating public spaces that
prioritize the safety and security of all citizens, regardless of their gender identity.

According to Bagagli (2021), in order to participate in civic life, the workplace,


educational settings, and other public spaces, one must have safe access to public restrooms. The
situation for transgender individuals is the same. However, the debate over gender identity and
access to public restrooms has become so heated that transgender persons are humiliated and
sometimes even kicked out of these places. The physical and mental well-being of transgender
people is negatively impacted by their inability to use public restrooms.
Beyond just being a practical convenience, having gender-neutral restrooms represents a
commitment to fostering inclusivity in a society where gender identities are diverse. A gender-
neutral restroom in public places solves a number of issues with utilities, real estate, people with
special needs, safety, and health. This could help society embrace inclusivity and acknowledge
everyone's rights, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. Furthermore, this might
promote gender equality, especially for the LGBTQ+ community.

Gender-inclusive bathrooms are usually single-stall, lockable facilities that are accessible
to people of all genders and sexes. Gender-inclusive bathrooms offer a safe, private space for
transgender, genderqueer, and gender non-conforming people, as well as families with children
and people with disabilities who may require assistance. Many people face harassment,
intimidation, legal charges, and violence on a daily basis. Transgender, genderqueer, and/or
gender non-conforming people are particularly impacted by bathroom segregation due to visible
gender differences that may not correspond with cultural gender norms (LGBTQIA Resource
Center, 2023).

Promoting gender-neutral restrooms in the Philippines is an important step toward


mitigating discrimination and fostering an equitable and welcoming environment for all. This
initiative not only respects individual expression but also improves overall safety by allowing
people to express themselves freely without fear of judgment or harm. Adopting gender
neutrality helps to create a more inclusive and secure social environment. This not only benefits
those who use the facilities, but it also promotes a broader culture of acceptance.

The 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey, conducted by The National Center for Transgender
Equality, shows significant challenges faced by transgender individuals in just “Male” and
“Female” public facilities in the United States. The survey highlighted some of the issues,
including discomfort, discrimination, and instances of violence experienced by transgender
individuals in such environments. Significantly, the implementation of gender-neutral bathrooms
or inclusive restrooms serves as an important factor in addressing these challenges, contributing
substantially to the enhancement of overall well-being and safety for transgender individuals by
providing them with spaces that better align with their gender identity (James, 2016).

Nevertheless, governments might lack the necessary financial resources to fully


support the establishment of gender-neutral restrooms in public spaces across the Philippines.
Despite the widely acknowledged importance of promoting inclusivity, budgetary limitations
may pose a significant barrier to the widespread implementation of such facilities. Finding
innovative funding solutions or forming partnerships to overcome these financial limitations and
prioritize the creation of equitable environments is the challenge. Addressing this funding gap is
critical to ensuring that the benefits of gender-neutral restrooms are available to all people in
public places.

As part of its anti-discrimination campaign, the Manila City government mandated in


October 2020 that all establishments have gender-neutral toilets by 2023. The regulation
mandates the installation of gender-neutral restrooms within three years of the enactment of this
ordinance. These facilities are to be situated in the lavatories or comfort rooms of restaurants,
bars, stores, movie houses, shopping malls, and other comparable business establishments in the
City of Manila. Gender-neutral toilets are toilets that are not labeled with the traditional "men"
and "women" labels, but are open to all, regardless of gender (Talabong, 2020).
In conclusion, establishing gender-neutral restrooms in the Philippines is crucial for
fostering inclusivity, enhancing safety, and mitigating discrimination, particularly against
transgender and non-binary individuals. The recent mandate by the Manila City government to
implement gender-neutral toilets reflects a positive step, although financial limitations pose a
challenge. Overcoming this obstacle requires innovative funding solutions and continued
advocacy to ensure equitable access to inclusive facilities for all citizens.

References

Bagagli, B. P. (2021). Trans Women and Public Restrooms: The Legal Discourse and Its
Violence. ResearchGate. From
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350516939_Trans_Women_and_Public_Restr
ooms_The_Legal_Discourse_and_Its_Violence
Cruz, C. I. (2023, june 2). How All-Gender Restrooms Become Just Another Form of
Discrimination. From SPOT.ph:
https://www.spot.ph/amp/newsfeatures/culture/105049/all-gender-restrooms-at-the-
workplace-a833-20230602-lfrm2?
fbclid=IwAR1_BIZdH8UYtvju1jCBefd_h29jooG6i6ORSuCQ2BWeIy0m0ALtoVDk0Qk
James, S. E. (2016, December). The Report of the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey. National
Center for transgender equality, 1-302. From
https://transequality.org/sites/default/files/docs/usts/USTS-Full-Report-Dec17.pdf
LGBTQIA Resource Center. (2023, July 31). More Information About Gender-Inclusive
Restrooms. From LGBTQIA Resource Center:
https://lgbtqia.ucdavis.edu/support/restroom/more-info#:~:text=Gender%20inclusive
%20bathrooms%20are%20typically%20single-stall%2C%20lockable%20bathrooms,and
%20people%20with%20disabilities%20who%20may%20need%20assistance.
Talabong, R. (2020, October 29). Manila businesses ordered to have gender-neutral toilets by
2023. From rappler: https://www.rappler.com/nation/businesses-manila-ordered-gender-
neutral-toilets-2023-anti-discrimination-ordinance/#:~:text=As%20part%20of%20its
%20campaign%20against,to%20have%20gender-neutral%20toilets%20by
%202023.&text=As%20part%20of%20its,gender-neutra

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