The calls for equality and respect especially towards the LGBT community significantly turned into a nationwide discussion last August after Gretchen Diez, a trans woman, was unjustly detained for using the ladies' rest room at a mall in Quezon City.
In a continuous push to heed this plight, SM Supermalls is set to start installing gender-neutral bathrooms at their branches beginning November of next month. These will be in addition to their existing PWD, male, and female bathrooms.
“With inclusivity and innovation at the core of everything we do, we endeavor to create spaces where all shoppers are welcome,” says SM Supermalls COO Steven Tan in their official press release.
According to SM's Facebook page, the new mandate will first take effect at their premiere malls including SM Mall of Asia, SM City North EDSA, SM Megamall, SM Aura Premier, The Podium, and SM Seaside City Cebu.
Aside from SM, three Robinsons branches have already enacted the same efforts by installing all-gender bathrooms at their Novaliches, Magnolia, and Galleria branches just last September.
Here's hoping for other major establishments to follow suit soon!
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