That was Iyah Mina—the first transgender woman to win a best actress award in local biz—retorting in jest, when asked about her thoughts on the recent outcries and debates over the discrimination transgender people deal with when using public restrooms.But kidding aside, she underscored the importance of educating people about what being a transgender or part of the LGBTQ+ community means, so that they could better empathize with them and understand their plight.
Personally, Iyah has never felt discriminated against when using ladies’ rooms. But she acknowledged that not everyone’s experiences—and the kind of people they encounter—are the same. She likewise expressed support for the Sogie bill—which seeks to “prohibit and penalize” discrimination “on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity—despite the many roadblocks it’s facing.Aside from her Cinema One triumph, she also received best actress nominations from the Urian and Famas.