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View Full Version : People Like Us: An Open Letter of a Transgender Woman in the Philippines


sass
05-26-2008, 05:30 AM
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Eleanor Roosevelt


My friends and I have been made to feel inferior approximately five hours before I wrote this letter. I’d like to sweep this incident under the proverbial rug but there is no more space to accommodate it.

On the 24th of May 2008, my friends and I were celebrating the anniversary of our organization the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP), the first transsexual women’s support group and transgender rights advocacy organization in the Philippines. We settled to celebrate it in Ice Vodka Bar, located in Greenbelt 3, 3rd level Ayala Center, Makati City, Metro Manila. It was my first time in that bar. Two in our group have been there before and they had nothing bad to say about it.

There were five of us. I was leading the way. The bouncer stopped us. I asked why. His reason was we were dressed “inappropriately”. We were rather dressed decently, tastefully, and most importantly just like any other human being who lives her life as female 24 hours a day.

I asked for the manager. The bouncer was nice enough to let me in. The manager, Ms Belle Castro, accommodated me. I don’t know if I spelled her name right. I asked for a business card but she had none available. Her telling feature though was her braced teeth.

I complained. Ms Castro listened to me. I found her sympathetic, even respectful as she addressed me all throughout as ma’am. She told me the following...


To continue reading and for updates about the development of this incident go to the website of the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP)

at www dot tsphilippines dot com

justmetaneisha
05-27-2008, 03:06 PM
yes i have a friend way back 2 years ago who been stopped at the entrance of absinthe because she was wearing a womans blouse i wasnt dressing up those time thats why i was able to get in. im a frequent at greenbelt but didnt know about that policy goodthing one of my friend was wearing a jacket and give it to my friend so she can use it as a cover up. embassy at the fort have the no ts rules before but not anymore as long as you look decent you can get in.

justmetaneisha
05-27-2008, 03:09 PM
shame on these people.

wynna
08-19-2008, 01:55 AM
Hi, those bars must have great publicity... are they that strict?
I'm glad i'm in cebu... we're really accepted a lot here.