Pride Month: Raising the flag and loving out loud

Mitzi Santos

June 27, 2020

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  Month of June emits colors and pride as the LGBTQ+ community and its allies celebrate Pride Month.

  Filipino LGBTQ+ community celebrates Pride Month every June. According to Spot.ph, the first Metro Manila Pride March first took place in 1996. It was spearheaded by the ReachOut Foundation. This was also the first time the Filipino queer community came together and obviously this was definitely not the last.

  More than an extravagant march, Pride March is more than just a celebration, it is not just a protest about LGBTQ+ rights but the rights of the marginalized as well. It is not only just about an expression of love towards the same sex but the love for others as well.

  Due to the global health crisis, Pride March is not happening this year. No Pride March, no problem, because there are still ways for you to celebrate Pride Month without violating quarantine protocols.

  Here are the ways to celebrate this year’s Pride Month online:

  Sinagtala Philippines

  Sinagtala Philippines is leading an online pride event for Filipino Youth called Banyuhay: Anyo ng Buhay. It is a daily webinar that will run from June 25 to 27. Topics that will be tackled are recognition and debunking of LGBTQ+ stereotypes, issues that are faced by the community at home and at the workplace and the others. They will be also featuring personalities from the LGBTQ+ Community. The webinar will be live on Facebook and on Zoom every 7 PM.

  Up Babaylan

  University of the Philippines Babaylan is the oldest student-led LGBTQ+ organization and has been an avenue for the LGBTQ+ members to write open letters addressed to the community, their family and friends. Their initiative is to provide a safe space for the LGBTQ+ members who are still unaccepted in their homes and social circle.

  Metro Manila Pride

  Different issues related to the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community and their fight for the human rights will be tackled through a webinar series all Saturdays of June. The series is entitled “Pride Speaks.” This is done in partnership with the LGBTQIA+ human rights organization. This event is part of the 2020 Metro Manila Pride March and Festival calendar of activities.

  Watch out on June 27 for they will be hosting an online protest. They will be featuring performances from LGBTQ+ artists as well as solidarity messages from partner organizations.

  How about you? How do you show your support as a member or ally of the LGBTQ+ community? Share your thoughts on the comment section now!

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