As it held a Pride event in the Philippines in September, the US Embassy in Manila stressed the “importance of furthering LGBTQI+ rights in the Philippines.”
In a prepared statement, US Ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson, stated that “even though June is traditionally the month when many countries celebrate Pride – though in Argentina, where I was last posted, it was celebrated in November – in my book, every month is the right time to celebrate Pride. Every day presents opportunities to honor the courage, resilience, and diversity of the LGBTQI+ community – here in the Philippines and everywhere around the world.”
Carlson noted that the LGBTQIA community has seen “remarkable strides toward equality and acceptance in the Philippines”. Nonetheless, “challenges remain, and discrimination, violence, and inequality continue to negatively affect many in the community – not just here, but virtually everywhere. It is our collective responsibility to stand against these injustices and advocate for a society where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.”
And so for the ambassador, “Pride events are more than celebrations: They are powerful reminders of the progress we have made and the work that remains to be done.”
Various issues faced by LGBTQIA Filipinos were highlighted by the ambassador, including: the need to pass the SOGIE Equality Bill “that seeks to establish the right of every Filipino, regardless of their identity, to live without fear of prejudice or harm”; and the need to focus on intersectionality to understand that “our struggles are interconnected with those of other marginalized groups.”
“LGBTQI+ rights are human rights. No lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex person should be denied employment, health care, housing, or other basic civil liberties no matter who they are, how they identify, or whom they love,” Carlson said. “Societies that empower LGBTQI+ persons to participate freely in civic life are more diverse, more tolerant, and offer greater opportunities for all. They are more democratic. In short: Pride is democracy.” – Special thanks to Atty. Raymond Alikpala
