Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The management of Valkyrie Nightclub has reached out to members of the local transgender community, who voiced out their grievances over recent incidents at the Taguig City establishment — because of its alleged “no cross-dressing policy.”
A dialogue to discuss and settle issues between the management of the nightclub and local transgender community leaders, has been set for Friday (June 26).
This developed after transgender model and founder of the Gender Proud advocacy organization Geena Rocero took to Facebook on Sunday (June 21) to share the incident involving fashion designer and transgender woman Veejay Floresca.
According to the post, Floresca was barred from entering the club on two separate occasions because of the alleged policy. It was only when the designer showed her California State issued ID, where the name and gender marker specified is female, was she allowed to enter.
Management apology
Rocero called on the management of the nightclub, through the same Facebook post, to abolish the alleged policy claiming: “You Acknowledged that this Problematic “No CrossDresser Policy” being enforced on TransWomen/Gender Non Conforming People as URGENT but you don’t ACT on it.”
The management of Valkyrie swiftly responded by issuing an official apology on Monday night (June 22) through co-owner Neil Arce. The statement apologized to Floresca and other “individuals if the denial of entry resulted in their embarrassment or made them feel disrespected in any way.”
The statement further explained: “The management of Valkyrie Nightclub and The Palace Pool Club wishes to clarify that it does not discriminate against transwomen and transgender individuals.”
Floresca told CNN Philippines that she appreciated their apology, but deferred from making any further comments.
She did appear on the television show Aquino and Abunda last Tuesday evening (June 23) to share her experience.
She is expected to be one of the participants in the dialogue on Friday.
Amidst these incidents, House Bill 5687, a substitute bill which includes the Anti-LGBT Discrimination Act, has been approved by the House Committee on Women and Gender on Thursday (June 25). The bill will hopefully be brought to the Plenary Session for further discussion.
Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, main author and proponent of the bill, expressed in its explanatory note: “In schools, workplaces, commercial establishments… prejudicial practices and policies based on sexual orientation and gender identity limit the exercise and enjoyment of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
“This instance is only one of the many reasons why we should finally enact the Anti-Discrimination Bill into law. Through this measure, public establishments can be penalized whenever they commit discriminatory practices,” Bag-ao told CNN Philippines.
