EU Bahaghari, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) student support group in Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation in Lucena City, Quezon Province has organized the first ever LGBT Pride marches in these parts of the Philippines.
The first Pride March was part of #EUPrideWeek2014, a three day event of forums, caucuses, and film showings that was participated by academic and non-academic student organizations and alliances, campus press, student councils, community youth organizations, and supportive individuals.
#EUPrideWeek2014’s theme, “Equal Rights: No more, No less!”, is EU Bahaghari’s expression of the nation’s outrage against discrimination, ignorance, impunity, homophobia, and systematic violence against the Filipino LGBT people.
“’Equal Rights: No more, No less’ means to have an inherent equal rights for all person, regardless of a status, condition or gender, and break free from the shackles that bind the LGBT people to a society we did not choose for ourselves. We have had enough of the same old story and we are choosing not to forget what we are bound to change,” said Aaron Bonette, president of EU Bahaghari.
The second march was part of “Bangon Quezon,” a fundraising activity for the victims of Typhoon Glenda in the Quezon Province. As solidarity, EU Bahaghari set-up a wedding booth that was open to LGBT and heterosexual couples.
“Bitbit ang 30 feet na Pride flag ng mga pumarada, ipinakita ang paglaban sa mga hate crimes, diskriminasyon sa LGBT, at pagsuporta sa Anti-Discrimination Bill of 2010 o House Bill 1438 na sinulat ni Rep. Teddy Casino kung saan mapoprotektahan nito ang karapatan ng mga may piniling kasarian sa ating bansa (Carrying the 30 feet pride flag, people in the March showed their call against hate crimes, LGBT discrimination, and their support for the Anti-Discrimination Bill of 2010 or House Bill 1438 that was authored by. Rep. Teddy Casino that protects people of different sexual orientation in the country),” said Bonette.
The Pride marches were not only participated by LGBT individuals, but also by supporters, advocates, and other willing participants who showed solidarity for genuine change not only in the LGBT and gender liberation movement, but as well as in society in general.
“Ako ay nagpapasalamat dahil nagkakaroon ng ganito (Pride March). Sana ay dumami pa ang mga proud na magulang. Kasi ako, 100% ang binibigay kong suporta sa anak ko, kahit ano pa man ang kanyang kasarian. Sana ay magpatuloy pa at lumawak ang ganitong gawain (I am grateful that this Pride March happened. I hope there would be more proud parents. Because for me, I give 100% to my child regardless of gender. I hope that this would spread and continue),” said Leah Marquez, mother of an EU Bahaghari member.
“Hangad ng EU Bahaghari na gawing LGBT-friendly ang lalawigan sa pamamagitan ng ganitong mga gawain (EU Bahaghari aims to make the province LGBT-friendly through these kinds of events),” Bonette ended.
