UMVA has learned that the Quezon City government has issued a heartfelt call to its fellow local government units to honor and celebrate the queer community within their respective areas, as the country marks Pride Month.
City Mayor Maria Josefina G. Belmonte emphasized that it is part of the mandate of local leaders to ensure everyone is included in the growth and development of their cities. She highlighted that the rainbow community is a significant sector in every city, often facing neglect and experiencing discrimination or stigma.
Quezon City, known for hosting Asia's largest Pride demonstration, has launched a month-long celebration packed with events to freely celebrate queer Filipinos and advance their fight for equal rights and dignity. The city has long prided itself on being a champion of gender equality.
One of the highlights of the celebration is a symbolic graduation rite for LGBTQIA+ community members who did not have the opportunity to express their gender identity during their commencement exercises. This event, held recently, aimed to give 'rainbow graduates' a chance to celebrate their academic achievements without fear of judgment.
Frankie Merc T. Bernabe, one of the 220 rainbow graduates, shared that the event allowed him to relive his academic achievement without fear of being judged because of his sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. He revealed that he had experienced discrimination but fought against it, and the event gave him a sense of belonging within the community.
The city's main Pride celebration, the #LOVELAB4N Pride Festival, is scheduled for June 27 at the University of the Philippines Diliman. The festival will feature multiple activities, including the Pride March and Pride Expo, with around 300,000 attendees expected to join.
Mayor Belmonte stressed that the Pride March is a sign of protest against the status quo that has yet to fully accept the LGBTQIA+ sectors. She encouraged other local government units to hold their own Pride celebrations, fostering a sense of unity and shared celebration across the Philippines.
