Transgender actress and comedian Iyah Mina has clarified that the recent incident involving her being misgendered at a Starbucks drive-thru in West Avenue, Quezon City has been peacefully resolved.
In a Facebook post on November 2, Iyah said she has already spoken with the café’s manager and made it clear that she was not asking for anyone to be dismissed from work over the misunderstanding.
“Sinabihan ko din na ayaw kong may matanggal sa trabaho,” Iyah wrote. “Hindi dahil gusto ko lang na tawagin akong ma’am. Naiintindihan ng manager na tama naman pag hindi alam ang pronoun—name basis or in other respectful ways.”
The actress explained that the issue arose from a lack of gender sensitivity awareness among some staff members. She emphasized the importance of training and orientation in ensuring that such incidents do not happen again.
Iyah also cited Quezon City’s Gender-Fair Ordinance of 2014, which protects individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression — especially in workplaces and business establishments.
According to Iyah, her conversation with the store manager was cordial and respectful.
“Tinawag pa akong ‘Mamu’ kasi kilala niya pala ako. Pero thanks po sa pakikinig… basta sa mabuting pag-uusap,” she added.
She also addressed critics who accused her of overreacting or acting entitled.
“Hindi ako being entitled na sinasabi niyo. Reading comprehension talaga problema now,” Iyah wrote. “Hindi naman ito tungkol lang sa tawag na ‘ma’am’ o ‘sir’—ito ay tungkol sa respeto.”
The actress ended her post on a light note, thanking Starbucks Philippines for listening and jokingly requesting her go-to order: “Ah I want Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade Venti eme. Charot lang.”
The incident has since sparked conversations online about gender sensitivity and proper etiquette when addressing customers.
Iyah Mina made history in 2018 as the first transgender woman to win Best Actress at the Cinema One Originals Film Festival for her performance in ‘Mamu: And a Mother Too.’
