LGBTQ+ Use of Women’s Restroom in Pagadian Sparks Debate
A woman expressed concern about members of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly gay men, using the women’s restroom at Robinsons Mall in Pagadian City.
Raihana T. Tuansi clarified that she does not harbor hatred toward the LGBTQ+ community, but emphasized the importance of mutual respect—especially for women, including Muslim women who wear hijabs. She explained that many Muslim women feel uncomfortable sharing restrooms with individuals they still perceive as male, particularly because their religious beliefs prohibit exposing their hair to men.
She questioned why being gay is considered a valid reason to enter female restrooms and urged respect toward personal and religious boundaries, so that respect may also be given in return. She specifically pointed out the discomfort experienced by hijabis who were adjusting their head coverings when gay men entered the restroom.
As of now, the management of Robinsons Pagadian has not released an official statement regarding the incident, and no formal complaint has been filed. However, the situation has reignited a wider discussion on gender-neutral restrooms, LGBTQ+ rights, and the need to balance these with the protection of women’s and religious communities’ spaces.
Meanwhile, the incident triggered strong reactions online, especially from members of Muslim communities. One commenter expressed concern that the passing of the SOGIE Bill could make it harder to regulate such situations, potentially compromising the privacy of Muslim women. Another pointed out that by definition, gay men are still biologically male and should therefore use the men’s restroom.
A woman from the Zamboanga Peninsula shared that seeing gay individuals in the ladies’ restroom felt deeply disrespectful—particularly in conservative Muslim areas where traditional values remain strong. She argued that regardless of one’s gender identity, cultural and religious norms must still be respected.