A drag queen from the second season of “Drag Race Philippines” decried being discriminated against at a waxing salon.
M1ss Jade So, a trans drag performer and LGBTQIA+ rights advocate, claimed that a personnel of the waxing salon repeatedly misgendered her and was hesitant to give her service for not disclosing that she was “not female.”
She posted this on her social media accounts on September 11.
“I am writing this with a heavy and disappointed heart to complain about the transphobia and discrimination that I experienced. I am a past customer and their esthetician who waxed me claim to have been uncomfortable with my private part,” Jade wrote.
I just got discriminated by a waxing salon.
There’s this waxing salon that I had an appointment last Aug 11. It was a successful and smooth appointment, the staff was nice and gentle. I usually have Brazilian, Full legs and full arm wax, I got it waxed by them. I was satisfied…
— M1ss Jade Laruesu So (@m1ssjadeso) September 11, 2023
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Discrimination complaint
The drag queen of Marikina City said that she was satisfied with the salon’s services during her first waxing experience there last month.
This is why she decided to book another appointment on Monday. Jade, however, alleged that the staff member who answered her call repeatedly asked her if she was a man or a woman.
The salon staff member also supposedly said that the esthetician who waxed her before felt uncomfortable with her.
“Idk [I don’t know] who called me but I think it’s their manager saying ‘Hello po, tanungin ko lang po kung babae po ba kayo or lalake?’ I was stunned to speak. I said ‘What?’ She repeated the question, but I didn’t answer. Then she said their esthetician was uncomfortable the last time I had their Brazilian waxing service and having clients like me is uncomfortable because they thought I was ‘Babae’, ‘hindi naman po pala’ they said,” Jade said.
The 24-year-old drag artist then decided to no longer push with the appointment.
Instead, Jade said that she offered to discuss gender sensitivity and inclusivity to the management.
“To move forward as a Trans advocate, I wanted to talk to their owner or whoever is in charge with their business,” she said.
When Jade called again, however, she said that the establishment dismissed her offer and kept calling her “sir.”
“The second call goes; ‘Hello sir’. I was MAD STUNNED and said ‘Now you called me sir?’ She was calling me ma’am earlier and now this? Then she said ‘ay sorry po nawala po sa isip ko. Humihingi po kami ng dispensa sa nangyare sir’ sir AGAIN? At this point, I said ‘Let me talk to the owner or manager because I want to say that this establishment should have proper seminars when it comes to gender sensitivity and inclusivity,’” Jade shared.
“This is the time she said ‘Alam na po ni mam,’ I said repeatedly ‘I want to talk to her, hindi na ko magpapa-appointment I just want to address this as an LGBT advocate’. She said wait and they will call back. End of convo,” she added.
Jade then expressed her views on why she felt discriminated against by such responses from the salon’s staff member.
“As a transwoman, I think that it is unfair for me to disclose such sensitive information especially if it will lead to potentially being turned down or discriminated. I am paying the same amount as the other female customers they have, I do not understand why it is necessary for me to mention my gender background as a customer,” she said.
The drag queen emphasized the need for businesses to train their workers on gender sensitivity and inclusivity.
“As a Trans advocate, this should not happen again. I am calling ALL waxing salons, and every establishment. That please have a gender sensitivity and inclusivity seminar on your staff,” Jade said.
How her fans, colleague reacted
Matilduh, another queen from “DRPH” Season 2, comforted her colleague and expressed support via the X app following Jade’s post.
“Hugs!! They could’ve handled the situation better. And yes, please use your voice for those people who can’t. Laban sisss,” she posted.
Other Filipinos also expressed words of sympathy and comfort for her in the replies to her posts.
In an episode of “Drag Race Philippines” season two last month, M1ss Jade So disclosed that she identifies as trans non-binary. She uses the pronouns she/her and they/them.
Misgendering, or the act of using a form of address that does not reflect a person’s identity, is considered a “dangerous expression of hostility toward those who are different,” according to the Associated Press.
As of writing, the Philippines has not yet passed a law that can protect a person’s Sexual, Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression (SOGIE) against discrimination and prejudice.
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