Pride comes.
The very first Pride event was held in Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) in Zamboanga City to highlight the importance of showcasing LGBTQIA people’s issues even in educational institutions. This is also the first Pride-related event in the Philippines this 2025.
Themed “Liyab: Love-anan para sa inklusibong yakap mula sa alab ng bahaghari”, the event was considered particularly significant considering the continuing anti-LGBTQIA initiatives happening globally – e.g. America’s first criminal president, convicted felon Donald Trump, had been issuing executive orders to deny the very existence of transgender as well as intersex people, while punishing those that support them; while locally, even after 24 years of being “deliberated” in Congress, the anti-discrimination law that eyes to protect the human rights of LGBTQIA Filipinos is still not passed.
“Pride is Important as it reflects our ongoing struggle, and thus the need for visibility and advocacy,” said Rio Therese Gregorio, Mhiema Rosas/president of LGBTQIA organization WMSU Lakandiwa, which organized the event. “Pride celebrates who we are, and provides us an avenue to be visible. It is a show of our strength despite the ongoing struggles, thereby counteracting hate and discrimination.”
For Gregorio, LGBTQIA Filipinos continue to face various challenges – e.g. gender insensitivity of community members.
The creation of safe spaces is, therefore, of utmost importance, she said, and “Pride is such.”
The very first Pride in WMSU was suported by Babaylanes Inc., Lagablab LGBT Network, Mujer-LGBT Organization, WMSU Gender Research and Resource Center, and the WMSU University Student Council.
Already, WMSU Lakandiwa is planning to hold a “caravan” to spread lessons on LGBTQIA inclusion in other educational institutions in their locality and beyond.
