Lacson: How about our privacy?

THE right to privacy is one of the basic human rights enshrined in our Constitution. The physical privacy of every person is mandated in Article III Sections 1 and 2 of the 1987 constitution and "states the government's limited ability to search and/or deprive one's person, place and things of any unwarranted intrusion to one's private affairs for any reason unless legally allowed to do so."

While it is not explicitly stated in the law that the right to privacy extends in public utilities such as toilets and restrooms, every one demands the privacy of being able to use these facilities without the feeling of being goosey or uncomfortable. I, for one, is annoyed with the feeling of someone intruding my personal space, much more the feeling of not being safe and secure in the ladies' room.

In the midst of the national controversy sparked after the arrest of transgender woman Gretchen Custodio Diez, who was not allowed to use the ladies CR in a Cubao mall in Quezon City recently, and the urgent demand of the LGBTQ community to pass the sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (Sogie) equality bill, it is but also appropriate to include the conservative community as they are also part of the society as a whole.

To be specific, in terms of the inclusion of trans women in ladies' restrooms, the government should make clear efforts and forge consultations and public fora to bring the important issues at fore. Of the issue solely is for the members of the LGBTQ community to have their own restrooms, then so be it.

I hope I am not sending the wrong message here. We all demand for equality and equity in our society. We, as conservatives, also have our rights that must be protected. In my own personal opinion, providing them their own restroom is the most ideal solution to this dilemma.

Here are some more opinions on this matter:

"I believe if you have the male parts you go to the males' bathroom and if you have the female parts you go to a ladies room and that's just the way we were raised.

I have the utmost respect for LGBQT community but we also demand respect for our privacy. Safe space for natural women is paramount. And, it's not about discrimination but it's about propriety.

Sensationalizing Diez demand for acceptance will not help either especially when someone has lost a living because she was protecting women's rights to privacy and safety.

Let's understand first what is a transgender?

A person whose sense of identity does not correspond with their birth sex -- for instance, a man who, despite having male genitalia, feels he is a woman -- is considered transgender.

Emphasis on 'male genitalia'... a simplistic understanding to keep things in perspective." - Vivian Velez

"Ano na ang nangyayari sa mundo? Ang mali ang tnitingnang tama at ang tama ay mali. Malapit na talaga magunaw ang mundo. Kaya ung mga baluktot ang isip, humanda na kau sa d mapigilang paghuhukom ng Diyos." - Enrique Sinio

"Always, there are at least 2 sides to a story. It's best to listen to all sides before passing judgment. The victim is not always who he or she seems to be. Just like VV [Vivian Velez], I respect the LGBTQ community. But I'm not on their side on this one. This was never about discrimination." - Dhey Santos