RepublicAsia Asks: What does pride month mean to the LGBTQIA+ community?

THIS YEAR’S pride month celebration is almost at its curtain call, and June has once again been painted with rainbow colors all over the world. 

In the Philippines, the culture of pride shines brighter than ever. 

The recently concluded annual pride festival last Saturday, June 22, once again made history as it amassed more than 200,000 people at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, surpassing the 110,000+ strong crowd last year. Dubbed as “Love Laban 2 Everyone,” it gathered LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies from families, progressive groups and organizations,  and LGBTQIA+-run businesses. 

While unfortunate circumstances brought by heavy rains affected the event, the organizers of the pride festival, headed by Pride PH and the Quezon City Government, deemed it a success. 

And truth be told, no extreme heat and inclement weather have stopped the LGBTQIA+ community to put their best foot forward in commemorating pride month. This resolve reminds us of the bigger reason as to why pride month exists and how it empowers those in the community. 

With this, we ask: what does pride month mean to the members of the LGBTQIA+ community? RepublicAsia asked some attendees of the monumental QC pride gathering.

JOSHUA ERNE (he/they):

Photo Courtesy: Joshua Erne

“Pride Month is both a historical and political milestone in the persistent struggle for social justice. It holds an important place in my heart since it is a moment when our visibility is recognized in society. It promotes solidarity and belonging within many communities. In its simplest form, it is a moment to demonstrate what the word queERNEss looks like regardless of race, gender, expression, religion, or nationality.”

EULA MONTERAS (she/her):

Photo Courtesy: Eula Monteras

“Pride month represents a profound declaration of self-affirmation and a celebration of the right to unapologetically exist as one truly is, regardless of one’s sexual orientation and gender identity. As someone who lives in a country where the SOGIE Equality bill is still struggling to be passed as a law, pride month is also inherently political – a protest against discrimination and a demand for societal acceptance and full legal protections. 

At its core, pride is about empowering the LGBTQIA+ community to embrace their true selves and foster a sense of belongingness. The drive towards transformative change transcends individual feelings, embodying a collective fight for liberation and the dismantling of oppressive systems. In the face of ongoing struggles against equality, pride month represents an inspired vision for a world that celebrates the unfettered right of all people to authentically coexist.”

LEX BARCENAS (she/her):

Photo Courtesy: Lex Barcenas

“For me, pride month is a celebration and a protest. Celebration kasi it allows people to connect, be seen, and heard like cisgender relationships can be gay too. Protest naman kasi the fact na we are commemorating a special month every year doesn’t mean it came easy. Pride month is something our ancestors fought so hard for, so the fact na there is pride month is a protest for me.”

RYAN SAN GABRIEL (he/they):

“I think it’s about a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community and the ongoing struggle for equality. Every day, our fight for equality with regards to sexual orientation and gender identity strives and continues and such events amplify those movements and awareness. It highlights the people’s accomplishments and contributions while also raising awareness about the issues they face around the world. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for human rights, inclusivity, and the right to love whoever they want.”

ISHI (she/her):

“Cliche as it may sound, Pride month is the chance for the LGBTQIA+ community to celebrate and at the same time fight for their rights since its members are still denied rights and proper appreciation and respect from society.

Given the history of how Pride started and is celebrated, the significance of Pride should always be viewed as a “protest” as it intersects with social and political issues.

In the Philippine setting, challenges persist such as the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill, which the community has been advocating for despite its introduction years ago. Religious influence further complicates matters, perpetuating beliefs that are perceived as anti-homosexual or anti-LGBTQIA+.

However, it would be great if the issues and problems within the community were addressed all the time, not just during June. But given the situations we have, it is still a good thing that we have Pride Month which provides a space to amplify the significance of this event and to feel accepted, seen, and respected.”

MIA SELECCION (she/they): 

Photo Courtesy: Mia Seleccion

“For me, Pride Month is a protest as much as it is a celebration. More than sparkles and shared laughters, it is a time to be earnest in making use of our voices to bring attention to important issues in our community. Likewise, it’s a meaningful opportunity for the queer community to get together, celebrate our diversity, push for inclusion, and make a stand together in solidarity to call for better legislation in our country that embraces and protects us. There is nothing more uplifting than being in the presence of those who share like-minded ideals, values, beliefs, and experiences, and that is what Pride Month does for us—to lift us up, give us life, and hearken back the icons who paved the way for our community.”

CASSIE APANO (she/her):

Photo Courtesy: Cassie Apano

“Pride month, to me, is a celebration to the community. The ideal moment to honor diversity and to boldly display the genuine colors of everyone! While we celebrate differences and have fun, this may also be a great moment to reflect on the challenges that the community is experiencing. Pride month is to raise rainbow flags in solidarity for those who remain to experience prejudice and discrimination. It is also a way to bring the members of the community together to establish larger platforms to express everyone’s protest for a more equal future.”

KATE JM (she/they):

Photo Courtesy: Kate JM

“There’s so much to unpack. But for the most part, it means freedom and a reason.

Freedom, as it’s a time for the members of the community to feel as free as they want. And I do, whenever June comes, I feel that added energy. It somewhat feels like a comfort. I know I can be as free as I want at any time, but Pride Month just has that extra something in it. It’s like it’s the time for the gays; it’s finally a time for the gays.

Pride Month is also is a “reason”. An opportunity to talk about important issues regarding the community, the SOGIE bill, and the persistent homophobia. Overall, it’s a reason to be louder, to be more vocal about the things that involve the LGBTQIA+ community, and to let people know that these things are vital. Pride Month for me is a call for a resolution that needs to happen as soon as possible.”

With reports from Adelainne Balbin