MANILA, Philippines – After transgender woman Gretchen Diez was rejected from using the bathroom on the basis of sex, Senator Risa Hontiveros renewed her call for Congress to pass the SOGIE equality bill.

In her privilege speech on Wedensday, August 14, Hontiveros said: "I am calling my colleagues in this plenary at sa Kongreso, ipasa na natin ang SOGIE equality bill. Para kay Gretchen, para sa lahat ng Filipino lesbians, gays, transgenders, intersex, queers, at asexuals, na matagal nang nakaposas sa panghuhusga, pangmamatâ, at diskriminasyon."

(I am calling my colleagues in this plenary and in Congress, let us pass the SOGIE equality bill. For Gretchen, for all Filipino lesbians, gays, transgenders, intersex, queers, and asexuals, who have long been trapped in judgment and discrimination.)

Gretchen Custodio Diez is the transgender woman who was rejected access to the women's bathroom in a Cubao mall by a janitress. She tried to document the discrimination, angering the janitress who had her arrested.

Hours after her arrest, Diez was set free following public outcry that pushed the janitress to drop the complaint against Diez. (READ: Trans woman Gretchen Diez: I didn't think I'd be treated like a criminal)

Refiled by Hontiveros at the Senate for the 18th Congress, Senate Bill No. 159 or the SOGIE (sexual orientation or gender identity or expression) equality bill protects people from discriminatory acts. Read more via Rappler