OVER a hundred thousand members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) community and its allies attended the record-breaking Pride March in Quezon City on Saturday.
This figure was four times bigger than last year’s 25,000 participants. This made the LoveLaban Festival the biggest Pride event in Southeast Asia, as per the organizers.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said the number of attendees is proof that the voice of the queer community and its allies is stronger than ever.
“Hindi na pwedeng maliitin, hindi na pwedeng balewalain, at hindi na pwedeng magbingi-bingihan sa ating panawagan na kayo ay tratuhin nang tama, at buong pusong tanggapin,” Belmonte said.
Courtesy: Quezon City Government on Facebook
Members of the LGBTQIA+ community said the event was more than a celebration; it also provided them with a platform to talk about their concerns and issues that affect their sector.
“I’ve been present in all the marches and everyone here knows it’s a celebration and that is true, but the Pride march is also important because we got to talk about LGBTQIA+ issues,” said 31-year-old Mitch Ochosa.
Luke Gregorio, 28, said Pride March was also a place for queer people to express themselves without limitations or prejudice from society.
“I can express myself, I can wear what I want, I’m also meeting other people with the same shared values and also SOGIE’s that’s why I love it here,” he told republicasia.
The event was held at the Quezon Memorial Circle, in partnership with the Quezon City local government unit (LGU), and was centered on the theme, Love, Laban: A Celebration of the fight for love in all forms and ways.
The LGU said at least 110,752 attendees took part in this year’s event, spearheaded by Pride PH, one of the largest networks of LGBTQIA+ members and organizations in the country.
Courtesy: Quezon City Government on Facebook
Love always wins
Belmonte said that more than a festival, Pride March was also a protest to champion gay rights and fight discrimination and violence against the gay community in the Philippines.
And Quezon City is doing its part as it values the rights of individuals to love freely, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, she said.
“Bilang pagkilala sa karapatang ito, mayroon tayong Commitment Ceremony para sa LGBTQIA+ tuwing araw ng mga puso. Indeed, in QC, love always wins!” she said.
In line with the Pride event, the QC government also launched the Right To Care card that allows queer couples to make medical decisions for their partners.
The city is the first in the country to allow queer life partners to legally decide for each other regarding healthcare matters.
READ: Right to Care Card for LGBTQIA+ couples launched in Quezon City
Claim your space
Senator Risa Hontiveros also joined the vibrant celebration, and dressed like a fairy godmother to bring comfort and encouragement to the LGBTQIA+ community.
“Kayo ang dahilan kung bakit hindi tayo napapagod lumaban, makipagdebate, at mag-explain sa mga mga sarado ang isip na walang nakakahiya sa pagiging bakla,” Hontiveros said.
She also said the community was the very reason why she kept pushing for the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill.
Although the appeal for equal rights for the LGBTQIA+ community has been brushed aside for almost 23 years now, someday they will get there, she said.
“Gaano man nila tayo katagal siniseenzone sa ating SOGIE Equality Bill, mayroon silang hindi maitatanggi — you exist in this world, claim your space,” she said.
“We are here, we are queer, we are loud, and unstoppable,” the senator added.
Courtesy: Risa Hontiveros on Instagram (@hontiverosrisa)
The day-long LoveLaban Festival had three major activities: Pride Expo, Pride March, and Pride Night.
Aside from booths that offer photo opportunities and sell merchandise and food, the Pride event was also attended by many prominent figures, content creators, performers, and celebrities.
They include Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee, Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Andrea Brillantes, Juan Karlos Labajo, Ice Seguerra, Lady Gagita, Marina Summers, and Macoy Dubs, to name a few.
Courtesy: Quezon City Government on Facebook
Courtesy: Michelle Dee Universe (@mmd_universe), Andrea Brillantes (@blythe), and Lady Gagita (@ladygagitaofficial) on Instagram
