WHILE looking forward to the Pride PH Festival this year, many netizens suggested organizers Pride PH refrain from publicizing the roster of artists who would grace the much-anticipated event.
They came up with this suggestion after several attendees from the “Love Laban 2 Everyone” Pride March and Festival in 2024 complained about other participants who were only at the event to watch their favorite artists perform for free but not be one with the protest of the LGBTQIA+ community.
On Facebook, Pride PH announced that “LOV3LABAN 2025,” the annual Love Laban Pride March and Festival, is scheduled for June 28, Saturday.
Further details about the event, including the exact venue, have not been disclosed yet. Still, many netizens encouraged the organizers to keep it a surprise should they invite popular celebrities again.
“The problem is, people show up just for the celebrity and completely miss the real essence of the pride march. Worst case? Even members of the community end up feeling uncomfortable because of certain encounters, especially with homophobic straight dudes,” one Facebook user said.
“If mag-i-invite kayo ng big artists na alam niyong may malaking fandom, please, ‘wag niyo nang i-announce. Dudumugin na naman ng mga tao ‘yang Pride na free concert lang naman ang habol,” another netizen said.
“Ang Pride ay protesta, hindi concert,” they added.
Another internet user commented, “Please, surprise guest na lang. Pride march is a protest, not a concert for homophobic people.”
This did not mean that they wanted to limit the celebration of Pride Month to members of the LGBTQIA+ community. In fact, they are happy to know that more allies are joining their efforts to advocate for the rights and amplify the voices of the queer community.
The netizens clarified that they wanted attendees to be aware of the real purpose of the Love Laban Pride March and Festival.
“Nothing wrong na may mga sumamang hindi part ng LGBTQIA+ community pero sana naman ally,” one Facebook user said.
Pride PH has been joining forces with the Quezon City Government to host the Love Laban Pride Festival since 2021, which serves as a platform for the LGBTQIA+ community to advocate for gender equality and inclusivity.
What happened last year?
Titled “Love Laban 2 Everyone,” the 2024 festival featured several big Filipino acts including P-pop girl group BINI, folk-pop band Ben&Ben, alternative pop band Cup of Joe, Gen Z singer-songwriter Juan Karlos, rapper Gloc-9, drag queen Marina Summers, and television host Vice Ganda.
However, the event was cut short due to an unexpected heavy downpour, canceling performances of BINI, Vice Ganda, and Gloc-9 to ensure the attendees’ safety.
Other than this, several attendees were disappointed with straight cis-men at the event who reportedly made homophobic comments to the queer community.
Some also pointed out the organizers’ ineffective planning and poor crowd control.
Nonetheless, Pride PH and the Quezon City Government said the “Love Laban 2 Everyone” Pride March and Festival went “smooth and safe,” thanking the attendees for their support and discipline.
The event drew more than its target of 200,000 participants.
