Iyah Mina Calls for Respect After Being Repeatedly Called “Sir”
IYAH MINA – The transgender actress went viral after sharing an uncomfortable experience at a popular coffee shop along West Avenue in Quezon City, where she was repeatedly called “Sir” by the staff.
In her Facebook post on November 2, Iyah described the incident, explaining that while ordering through the drive-thru, one of the staff members asked whether to address her as “Sir” or “Ma’am.” However, even after she clarified, the staff continued to call her “Sir” several times. Iyah said she found the experience frustrating and insensitive, especially since the employee had already asked how she preferred to be addressed. She added humor to her post, joking about her thick blush-on, but also admitted that the situation made her feel uncomfortable.
The post quickly gained attention and sparked mixed reactions online. Some people supported Iyah, saying that what happened was a clear example of misgendering, which can be hurtful to transgender individuals. They pointed out that the incident highlighted the importance of awareness and sensitivity training, especially for employees who deal directly with customers. One commenter said that no one should have to repeatedly explain their gender identity just to be treated with respect.
However, others believed it may have been a misunderstanding, noting that in drive-thru setups, staff often identify customers only by their voice at first. Some said that if a person’s voice does not sound feminine, it’s understandable for staff to make an honest mistake. They added that the employee even asked politely whether to say “Sir” or “Ma’am,” which they considered a reasonable gesture.
The discussion opened a wider conversation about respect, awareness, and inclusivity in the Philippines. Many emphasized that using the correct pronouns and terms of address is a basic form of respect toward transgender individuals.
Iyah Mina remains an influential figure in Philippine entertainment, known as the first transgender woman to win Best Actress at the Cinema One Originals Film Festival in 2018 for her role in “Mamu: And a Mother Too.”
As of this writing, the coffee shop involved has not released any official statement regarding the incident.
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