Eyeing to celebrate the feats won by the LGBT community in the Philippines, the White Party Manila 2013 is slated to take place at Julio Nakpil corner Ma. Orosa Street in Malate in the City of Manila on June 29. The same gathering, however, also aims to stress the continuing need to push for equal rights.
According to Jeff Klein, communications and public relations officer of White Party Manila 2013, “while it is true that majority of Filipinos are now embracing and are gradually becoming passive about homosexuality, it is also true that majority are still unable to accept the very core of LGBT’s existence,” he said. As such, “the driving force for this year will be ‘acceptance’.”
With this push for acceptance, therefore, “what makes (this year’s event) unique from the past years’ White Party is its attempt to reach out not only to the LGBT community we are catering to, but also the majority of the populace, heterosexuals included. We believe that engagement outside the community is a potent force for educating them about gender and equality,” Klein said.
White Party is the name of a number of circuit parties catering to LGBT communities held every year all over the world. In the Philippines, it started in Malate 2001 as a marketing tool for the Malate-based businesses, though over the years, LGBT organizations became directly involved in it.
Attendees for this years’ White Party can “expect the best music, the best performers and the best authorities in the LGBT community,” Klein said, since support groups and other LGBT advocates will also be putting up booths at the event venue (for free HIV testing, among others). As it is overseas, “the main purpose of the event is to educate all members and its allies about current issues that involve LGBTs – HIV awareness will be among this year’s highlights.”
A cover charge of P150 (entrance only) will be collected, with VIP tickets selling for P1,000 (with unlimited drinks). This year’s committee is still looking for this year’s White Party’s beneficiary/ies.
