In Quezon City, the local government unit (LGU) announced that it will hold special graduation rites for LGBTQIA community members who have been denied to march in their gender-affirming attire.
In a statement, the LGU stressed that the occasion is a “special commencement activity” that is meant to honor students’ graduation rights by providing them with an opportunity to openly express their desired gender identity and gender expression.
“Sa Quezon City, kinikilala ang karapatan ng lahat anuman ang kanilang SOGIE. Sa QC, graduation rites are everyone’s rights, regardless of expression (In Quezon City, we recognize everyone’s rights no matter their SOGIE. In QC, graduation rites are everyone’s rights, regardless of expression).”
Forming part of the observance of the 85th anniversary of the city, the event is slated to happen on Saturday, June 22.
Aside from being part of the LGBTQIA community, and who has not able to march for their senior high school or college graduation ceremonies because of their SOGIE, the following requirements also need to be satisfied to qualify:
- Participants should be aged 18 and above.
- A Quezon City resident or those who graduated from schools located in the city.
Registration for the program started on Wednesday, May 29, and will close on Friday, June 7.
Interested participants can register HERE.
Quezon City is actually among the more progressive LGUs in the Philippines.
Quezon City has a non-discrimination ordinance, dubbed as the Gender-Fair Ordinance, which was passed on November 28, 2014. And more recently (this February), 205 LGBTQIA couples participated in the city’s annual commitment ceremony, helmed by the current mayor, Joy Belmonte.
