MANILA – The city government of Manila will be holding its first Pride parade in April to show support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, through its Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila (DTCAM), on Sunday announced it was organizing the inaugural Manila Summer Pride celebration.
“Come and join this historic gathering of all colors to celebrate the LGTBQIA+ pride and how far the movement has gone over the years. It’s time we take a pause to celebrate the milestones of the LGBTQIA+ community. The City of Manila stands with you. We are proud to be one!”, the city council of Manila posted on their facebook account.
The Manila Summer Pride is set to launch on April 19, 2020 at the Burnham Green, Quirino Grandstand.
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY, ITS ALLIES, AND SUPPORTERS:
We would like to start by thanking all of the members of the LGBTQIA+ community, its allies, and supporters who expressed their support for the upcoming Manila Summer Pride. With the City of Manila’s vision of rebuilding the nation’s capital as a safe space for one’s own expression of sexual orientation and gender identity, we have decided to launch a gathering to celebrate our LGBTQIA+ community.
The Manila Summer Pride will be the first Pride celebration organized by the City Government of Manila and we are honored to host this historical event. In the course of our preparation, we have received criticisms which we have taken into deep consideration, knowing that these people criticize the upcoming Pride only to help us improve our efforts. We will forever be grateful for your comments and recommendations.
The DTCAM is the main office assigned to assist in the execution of this event knowing that the office already has enough experience to handle such. We are aiming to create a significant impact through this event and to create an awareness among Filipinos that LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights.
We will be hosting this Pride celebration in April, rather than in June which is the traditional Pride month. Pride Marches in June are known all across the world and we understand that this also signifies unity among the LGBTQIA+ community members globally. However, times are changing and even in other countries and places in the Philippines, Pride Marches are now being conducted in different months and we believe that as a movement, it is due to be celebrated anywhere and anytime of the year.
There are still a lot of battles to be won for the LGBTQIA+ community to achieve its ultimate goal of equality and this celebration opens just another avenue for these people to showcase their unity and to be inspired to continue fighting for their causes. Pride celebration does not start and end in June. We have won so many victories over the years and are still fighting for more to come. We need to celebrate these triumphs, big or small, and we need to celebrate it as much as we can.
Through this event, we are proud to express it loudly that the City of Manila is an LGBTQIA+ ally, supporting their causes and providing a safe space for them to choose their Pride.
The City of Manila is taking steps towards promoting gender diversity and legally protecting the LGBTQIA+ community.
We hope to see you on April 19, 2020 at Burnham Green, Quirino Grandstand. Let us come united and celebrate our Pride!
Sincerely,
The Manila Summer Pride
Advocates from PANTAY, Metro Manila Pride , GANDA Filipinas, Pioneer FTM, and various LGBT Student Organizations in Manila through the Students for Equality, met with Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso earlier for a SOGIE 101 and to discuss the urgency of passing an ADO. The Mayor has affirmed his commitment to passing the Manila ADO.
Photo credit: Pantay Pilipinas
