ILOILO City – Some 1,500 members of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) community in the city and province of Iloilo marched to press for equal rights and mark Pride Month.
Pride Month is an annual international observance dedicated to promoting gender diversity and equality, acceptance and harmony.
The marchers on Saturday pushed for, among others, equal opportunity in workplaces.
While LGBTQ members excel in many industries, discrimination and stereotyping still exist, lamented Reyna Clamor, the incoming executive assistant for LGBTQ Affairs of Mayor Jerry Treñas.
The march started at the Iloilo Esplanade Skating Park going to SM Strata on the Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue in Mandurriao district and back to the esplanade.
“Mabaton sila sa mga criteria nga na-set sang company but because of the way they dress or look, sometimes ga-compromise,” Clamor lamented.
Clamor called on business establishments to be accepting of LGBTQ members and stressed the importance of strengthen public awareness on gender equality to eradicate discrimination.
“We join the whole country in celebrating Pride Month and pushing for equal rights,” said Gab Umadhay, president of the Iloilo LGBT Network.
The march was backed by the city government’s Office of LGBT Affairs in coordination with various LGBTQ organizations.
The goal was to “reignite the flames” for gender rights and acceptan ce in Iloilo, said Umadhay, also the outgoing Executive Assistant for LGBTQ Affairs of Mayor Treñas.
“We urged everyone to join in our cause,” said Umadhay.
Pride is celebrated in the month of June as that was the month when the Stonewall riots took place.
The Stonewall riots were important protests that took place in 1969 in the United States that changed gay rights for a lot of people in America and around the world.
“Nagapasalamat kami una kay Mayor Treñas sa dako nga suporta sang Office of LGBT Affairs. Umpisa lang ini sang madamu pa nga activities this year. We hope to see you all in October for our Grand Pride March,” said Umadhay./PN
