So, LGBTQIA+ Pride – held every June – is once again around the corner. Which – this year in particular – can be said to be even more important, considering the setbacks in everything LGBTQIA+-related all over the world, e.g. the (re)ascension into power of America’s first criminal president, convicted felon Donald Trump, who immediately released executive orders to deny the very existence of transgender people.
But reflective of the evolution of Pride, thanks to the direction Western countries have taken the supposed “struggle”, punahin na natin ang mga nagsusulputan na pinagkikitaan at pagkakakitaan ang Pride.
Marami-rami yung wala naman talagang ginagawa para tulungan ang LGBTQIA+ community pero nag-o-organize ng versions nila ng Pride. Ni wala ngang alam sa LGBTQIA+ history sa Pilipinas eh. But bilang profiteers, they are now looking for sponsors (e.g. moneyed people, organizations, companies, et cetera) to “show their support” by giving money, money, money sabay pretend to be for LGBTQIA+ human rights.
Sa ibang bansa, nagrereklamo na ang organizers ng San Francisco Pride because lots of their sponsors no longer want to finance them; the money-centric organizers could lose around $300,000, which should show you that yes, maraming “leaders” see Pride as just money-grab. The intent is actually to raise millions off Pride; though exactly how much of that is spent to help San Francisco’s LGBTQIA+ community isn’t made clear. And so fuck “struggle”, when you can just profit from it instead, no?
Maging mapanuri tayo. Dahil oo, galing na mismo sa LGBTQIA+ community ang problema. Particularly: For hijackers of Pride so they can make money off the LGBTQIA+ people.
They weaken the cause, the struggle, whether you see it or not, or whether you may admit it or not. Because with them, pera-pera na lang ang LGBTQIA+ advocacy.
But call out na rin natin ang sucker financiers of such efforts. Perhaps they’re getting their money’s worth (advertising-wise). After all, for them, nabibili naman pala ang Pride. But particularly for those who only surface once a year to pretend to show support to us by dumping their money on profiteers, guinoo, eff you na rin! Di kayo dapat sinusuportahan for your pinkwashing.
Mahaba pa ang pakikibakang kailangang gawin for all LGBTQIA+ people to get their human rights. Mas humahaba lalo dahil sa pagdami ng walang pakialam sa LGBTQIA+ struggle, and just want to make lots of money while using LGBTQIA+ causes and Pride.
