Yesterday, October 19, netizen Louis Marasigan took to TikTok to share her unfortunate experience of alleged discrimination at the Zara branch in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. In her video, she detailed how she was barred from entering the women's fitting room even after explaining that she was a transwoman.
"Pumasok ako sa fitting room ng babae. May lumapit sa'kin na babae, sabi nya 'Sir, sa taas po kayo.' Sabi ko, 'Bakit po?" Sabi nya na yung fitting room ng mga lalaki nasa taas," she narrates. Louis then told the woman, who was presumably a store assistant, that she was a transwoman, and that she was at the appropriate fitting room. The store assistant was persistent about not letting her in the room, saying that other customers might complain, even if they were the only ones in the area at the time.
"Tumaas ako, binayaran ko yung damit ko, nagreklamo ako doon sa nasa counter," she continues. The store manager, whom Louis assumed was also a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, was called regarding the complaint. Though, instead of offering her any consolation or promise that they would educate the store assistant, the manager simply asked if the issue was resolved already. According to Louis, she left the store humiliated.
Her video quickly became viral, with many netizens, queers and allies alike, expressing their disdain for the alleged discrimination by the Zara personnel.
One netizen and fellow transwoman sympathized with Louis and echoed how difficult it is to shop at different stores. "Hindi naman masama na i-assist [ako] pero ako na [yung] mismong lumalayo... 'Tas lalo na yung sasabihan ka pa ng 'SIR' diba. BABAE po kami," she shares.
Meanwhile, there were also some users, ones who claim that they're also part of the LGBTQIA+ community, who found no fault in what the store assistant and manager did.
A Twitter user pointed out that this was no isolated case, since discrimination like this still happens everywhere. It's a prevalent occurence that a trans person's identity is assumed solely because of what they're wearing or what they look like on the outside.
Though, it has been said many times before that one's gender identity does not rely on these arbitrary factors. "Transwomen are WOMEN!" one netizen exclaimed.
Mela Habijan, a champion for LGBTQIA+ rights in the country, reposted the TikTok on her Instagram account, calling out Zara for the alleged discriminatory behavior of its employees. She called on the fast fashion giant to educate its workers on SOGIESC, and also asked for the Taguig LGU to strictly enforce the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance made effective last 2018
"A lot of Filipinos still don’t recognize trans women as women. Dahil sa pisikal—katawan, boses, hitsura, at ari na mayroon kami... To you my dearest friends, help us in amplifying the call to PASS SOGIE EQUALITY BILL NOW! To Miss Louis and our fellow trans and queer people, kapit tayo. Mapagwawagian natin ang labang ito!" she closes out her post.
The Philippines' SOGIE Bill, which aims to protect and uplift the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, was authored all the way back in 2017, and has yet to be passed in Congress.
Preview has reached out to Zara for their side of the story and we have yet to receive their official statement on the matter as of writing. This space will be updated if there are further developments on the issue.
Hey, Preview readers! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Tiktok, and Twitter to stay up to speed on all things trendy and creative. We’ll curate the most stylish feed for you!
