A VIDEO recently taken inside a women’s restroom at a shopping mall in Davao City has stirred a painful but necessary national conversation. In the now-viral clip, a man angrily confronted and shamed a trans gay person for using the women’s restroom. He repeatedly insisted that the individual was “biologically male,” accused them of being “bastos,” and questioned what would happen if his daughter entered the same restroom. His tone grew louder, and the space that should have offered privacy and safety turned into a stage for humiliation.
Incidents like this reveal more than simple disagreements over restroom use. They show how fragile our understanding of dignity remains, how deeply society struggles to accept gender diversity, and how quickly a basic human act such as using a restroom can become a battleground for prejudice.
When someone is shamed in a public space, it is not just an isolated conflict. It is a reflection of our communal values. It shows how much, or how little, compassion we are willing to extend to one another.
The law is clear: public spaces must be safe for all
The Philippines is not without guidance. In 2019, the government passed Republic Act 11313, also known as the Safe Spaces Act or the Bawal Bastos Law. This law recognizes that public spaces must uphold respect and protection for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.
Under the Safe Spaces Act, it is unlawful to harass or shame any person in public places. This includes catcalling, derogatory remarks, sexist or transphobic comments, and verbal harassment. Restrooms in malls are designated as public spaces where safety and dignified treatment must be guaranteed.
The law requires establishments such as malls to create gender-sensitive safe spaces. They must place visible anti-harassment notices, ensure that security personnel are trained to respond appropriately, and provide a clear reporting system when incidents occur.
Furthermore, the law defines gender-based harassment in public spaces as any unwanted remarks or behavior that intimidates or demeans another person. When the man in the video confronted the trans individual aggressively and used demeaning language, this behavior appeared to fall exactly under what the Safe Spaces Act seeks to prevent.
Davao City’s local ordinances strengthen this protection
Davao City is not new to gender inclusivity. The city has one of the Philippines’ strongest anti-discrimination policies, formally known as the Davao City Anti-Discrimination Ordinance. This ordinance prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression in employment, education, accommodation, and access to public spaces. This includes restrooms.
The ordinance requires establishments to treat all persons equally and prohibits acts that shame, exclude, or harass someone because of their gender identity.
Given this, the man’s behavior inside a mall contradicts the principles the city has long advocated. Davao is known for its respect toward diverse identities. It has consistently signaled that discrimination is not welcome. What happened in that restroom is not reflective of the inclusive culture that many in Davao work hard to uphold.
Reality shows the law is not enough yet
Even with these protections on paper, many gender-diverse Filipinos continue to face verbal harassment, exclusion, and discrimination. This is not the first time a transgender or trans gay individual has been publicly confronted for using a restroom that aligns with their gender identity.
Several years ago, a similar incident happened in a Quezon City mall where a transgender woman was barred from using the women’s restroom. Thousands protested in support of her rights, but the pattern has not disappeared. It simply moved to different locations and different victims.
What these repeated incidents show is a painful gap between legal protection and lived experience. Laws alone cannot dismantle prejudice. Social education must work alongside enforcement so the public understands what inclusivity means.
Why the fear argument fails
The man in the video justified his anger by claiming he was protecting women, especially his daughter. This is a common argument raised in discussions about restroom access. But this reasoning often stems from misinformation and stereotypes rather than reality.
There is no evidence that transgender or trans gay individuals are a threat to women inside restrooms. On the contrary, they are often the ones at high risk of harassment.
To frame gender-diverse individuals as predators simply because of their gender identity is unfair and harmful. It reduces them to caricatures and denies them the right to basic dignity.
Protecting women and girls is important, but that goal is not achieved by discriminating against another marginalized group. Safety is a universal concern, and it must be approached with fairness and evidence, not fear and prejudice.
Dignity should never be negotiable
Using a restroom is a private, necessary activity. It should never be a moment where someone fears being yelled at, recorded, mocked, or humiliated. No one should have to defend their identity in a place meant for privacy and safety.
Respect is not complicated. It is simply the recognition that every person has dignity.
When we allow public shaming to happen, we normalize violence. When we excuse harassment, we encourage more of it. And when we tolerate discrimination, even in small moments, we send a message that some lives matter less.
A restroom for all genders should be realized
One of the clearest solutions to prevent incidents like this is the establishment of restrooms for all genders.
Gender-neutral or all-gender restrooms are not new ideas. Countries, universities, airports, restaurants, hospitals, and workplaces globally have already adopted them. These restrooms are designed for privacy, safety, and convenience for everyone: women, men, transgender individuals, parents with children, caregivers assisting elderly family members, and persons with disabilities who need assistance.
A restroom for all genders is not about erasing gender. It is about creating an environment where respect outweighs fear, where privacy is guaranteed, and where no one is humiliated for being who they are.
For malls as large and modern, this is entirely feasible. Even a few stalls designated as all-gender facilities would make a significant difference. For Davao City, which already prides itself on inclusive governance, this would strengthen its commitment to equality.
A restroom for all genders is not a radical request. It is a practical and compassionate step forward.
What we must do moving forward
This incident offers a chance for reflection and action.
First, establishments like malls must ensure their Safe Spaces Act protocols are functioning. Security personnel must be trained to respond immediately when someone is harassed inside their premises. Restrooms must be monitored with sensitivity, not with suspicion. Management should address the incident openly and clarify their anti-harassment stance to the public.
Second, the local government must continue strengthening awareness campaigns about the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance. Education is crucial. Many people still do not understand gender identity or the rights of transgender and gender-diverse individuals. By increasing public awareness, the city can reduce fear-based reactions and nurture empathy.
Finally, as a society, we must cultivate a culture where differences are not met with hostility. A restroom should never become a place of humiliation. We must speak up when we witness discrimination. Silence allows prejudice to grow. Action, even in small everyday forms, creates safer communities for everyone.
A call for kindness in our shared spaces
Public spaces reflect who we are. They speak about the values we uphold. If restrooms become places of conflict, it reflects the fractures in our society. If people are shamed simply for existing, it reflects our collective failure to protect human dignity.
Let this incident challenge us. Let it push us to listen more, judge less, and understand with greater humility. Let it remind us that laws exist not only to punish but to protect. And most importantly, let it remind us that every human being deserves respect, regardless of gender identity, appearance, or expression.
Respect is not optional. Inclusion is not optional. Human dignity is not optional.
Our spaces must speak kindness. And all of us must help them do so.
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Kethelle I. Sajonia is a college instructor at the University of Southeastern Philippines, Mintal Campus. She is currently in the final phase of her Doctor of Communication degree at the University of the Philippines. Her research interests include inclusivity, education, communication, and social development. She actively engages in scholarly research and community-based initiatives that advocate for inclusive and transformative communication practices.
