PRIDE GUIDE 2014

PRIDE GUIDE 2014

KASI PAG-IBIG PARIN Now on its 20th year, the annual Metro Manila Pride march has served not only as an avenue for inspiration and empowerment for generations of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons, it has also been a platform for visually communicating the growing LGBT community in the country and for advocating for issues and concerns that impact the members of this community.

understanding on gender to include sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI); creating discussions on SOGI that are rooted in basic human rights instead of harmful stereotypes; creating a comprehensive policy environment that recognizes, protects, and fulfills the rights of LGBT people to non-discrimination in all spheres of their lives (e.g. school, work, public spaces, et cetera); and so much more.

While there is progress in the form of more mainstream spaces to discuss these LGBT-specific issues and concerns, countless anecdotes of violence and discrimination against LGBT persons persist. Most of which, alarmingly, begin in childhood. It is clear that there is still a lot of work to be done. Some of these pressing concerns are: expanding and deepening mainstream

All the issues that impact the rights and daily lives of LGBT persons require a response from all sectors. Thus, for 2014 we have decided to implement a campaign that enlists the help of allies in addressing these needs.

2014 metro manila pride objectives (1) Increase awareness on how to elevate the discussion on LGBT rights as human rights; (2) Identify, recognize, make visible, and thank pioneers and early supporters of the LGBT rights advocacy in the Philippines and Metro Manila.

(3) Encourage and highlight the participation of allies by making the 2014 Metro Manila Pride Season a safe space for families, friends, co-workers, etc. of LGBT people to voice their support for the community and for the LGBT human rights advocacy.

This year’s theme “Come Out for Love Kasi Pagibig Pa Rin” (Come Out For Love Because It’s Still All About Love), is a reminder of the love and passion that started and sustained 20 years of taking to the streets for the recognition and respect of LGBT lives as human lives.

2014 THEME EXPLAINED In celebrating Metro Manila Pride’s 20th Anniversary, we’re stripping down to the core of our cause: love

It is also a celebration of and an invitation for families, friends, and supporters of LGBT people to claim Metro Manila Pride as a safe space to voice their support for the community, for the LGBT human rights advocacy, and for the people they love and march with every year.

For the past 19 years, we’ve highlighted the voices of LGBT people — boisterous with pride and strong with equal rights activism. This year we are putting a spotlight on non-LGBT allies who believe in the same things we believe in. We want the world to hear the affirming voices of our parents, siblings, friends, co-

workers, neighbors, etc. We also would like to highlight businesses and institutions who implement non-discrimination policies and are highly supportive of LGBT people.

To Come Out for Love is the call to action. We want our heterosexual allies to come out with us. To come out as supporters, as people who love us and who believe in the recognition, promotion, and fulfillment of everyone’s rights.

We want to show the world that human rights and equal rights are the concern of everyone.

Kasi Pagibig Pa Rin is our answer to the question, “Why?” At the most human level, all discourse on rights and all efforts to fight for these rights is rooted in caring for persons who are in the center of this struggle for equal rights.

Creating spaces of freedom and safeguards for this freedom, is more than a political act, it is an act of love.

#COMEOUTFORLOVE

In September, we started an interactive and person-centric campaign based on this year’s theme. Dubbed #ComeOutForLove, it aims to gather stories of coming out, acceptance, and bravery. Because while past Pride marches have focused the lens on the LGBT community, we have decided to turn this around and engage our non-LGBT supporters in sharing their stories and this advocacy with us.

Through this campaign, we’d wanted to show everyone the importance of coming out to support your LGBT loved ones. We wanted to inspire people to be true to themselves, to be more accepting of their LGBT family members and friends, and to be the changemakers our society needs to continue the fight for EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL. Because when it comes down to it, Pride is still all about love.

Here are some of the stories that have been shared with us. You can find the entire campaign at http://bit.ly/COFLove

“Sumali ako [sa Come Out for Love campaign] kasi gusto kong magkaroon ng equality saka gusto kong malaman ng ibang tao na pag nagdidiscriminate sila, wala namang nababago sa isang LGBT kasi yun na sila.

Kasi wala namang masama dun saka love ko si Mommy.”

- Kelsey Hadjirul

“As someone who believes in the fluidity of gender (and someone who noticed that at a young age), it’s important to stand up for what’s natural and overdue —equality.

of gender and orientation and no one should be afraid to be who they are.”

- B. P.

I’m bisexual, and I came out to my parents pretty early, and a lot of people don’t have the luxury to do that - so they feel dejected and insecure and live in fear. But honestly, it’s something to be proud of. We’re all people, no labels, no limits. We should be treated equally regardless

B.P. Valenzuela is a 19-year old synth pop producer and singer-songwriter from Manila.

Kelsey is a 10 year old proud daughter to her lesbian mom, Cha Roque. She is also the youngest member of DAKILA Collective for Modern Heroism.

“Gay or Straight, we’re Coming Out!” — Alex, Ruth, Jerell, AJ Alex Anselmuccio (straight) is coming out for his friends. Ruth Pascual (straight) is coming out for worldwide acceptance. Jerell Francisco is coming out for everyone who struggles with self-worth. AJ Cruz is coming out for happiness.

“Hindi naman nagsabi sa akin ang mga anak ko na bading sila, nakikita ko ang mga kilos nila, ako ang nagtanong at sinagot nila. Yakap yung unang reaksyon ko, at nuon ko rin nakita ang ngiti nila, nawala ang hirap ng loob at takot nila s pagkubli ng pagiging bading.

Sa mga nang-aabusong ama, marami ang nawawala sa inyo: ang pagiging ama sa anak, pagmamahal ng anak, respeto ng anak at sa inyong anak [mawawala ang kanilang] dignidad ng pagkatao.

Mula nung una ko silang makita pagkaluwal sa kanila, tinanggap ko na sila, bilang isang anak, minahal at inaruga, kahit hindi ko alam na magiging bading sila. Ang alam ko lang mahal ko sila dahil mga anak ko

sila, bigay sila sa akin ng Diyos.

Sa mga anak ko, wag n’yong kalimutan anuman ang inyong kahaharapin sa buhay, nandito ako palagi sa tabi n’yo, laging magpasalamat sa Diyos at sa inyong ina na nagluwal sa inyo.

Magmahalan kayong magkakapatid.

Tumulong sa kapwa. Laging magdasal.

Lagi n’yong tandaan na ang Diyos ay laging nasa puso n’yo. Magsumikap kayo para umunlad at ipakita n’yo sa mga taong mapanghusga kung paano maging mabuting nilalang sa mundo.”

- Rodante Acoba, Administrative Aide III at Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital

“The UP Mountaineers joins hands with the rest of the world and the LGBT community in making a clear and unequivocal stand for equal rights for everyone, in full belief that what diminishes one, diminishes us all and what strengthens one, strengthens us all and that we are all in this together. No freedom till we’re ALL equal.”

- The UP Mountaineers (UPM), A premier mountaineering group in the country and a member of

Tatay: “Sakin kasi importante itong mga ganitong bagay na suportahan ang LGBT kasi marami sa mga parents o magulang at relatives, marami dyan na ikinakahiya ung mga LGBT. Madalas dito kasi samin lalo nung bata pa sya (Ana), dito tatambay yung mga kabarkada niyang mga lesbian. Pati bading. Pupunta dito, tatambay tapos sasabihin, ‘Ana, kaswerto mo. Naiintindihan ka ng mga magulang mo. Kami pinapalo kami. Ikinakahiya kami.’ Yun kaya gusto ko mainterview para dito.

Para sa mga parents. Kasi dapat suportahan niyo din, lesbians o ano man.”

Nanay: “Bakit mahalagang suportahan?

Kasi sabi nga dyan o, empowerment.

Mahalagang makikilala ng lahat na bawat isang tao, including ang mga lesbyana at mga bading, ay may kanyakanyang kakayahan at kinakailangan nating idevelop ang kanilang mga kakayahan para lalo silang maging mahusay na kontributor sa lipunan.”

- Teofilo Jose Geaga is 66 years of age and a Freelance Printing Agent. Monina Geaga is 62 years of age, and is the outgoing Secretary General of SARILAYA (KasarianKalayaan), a National Women’s Organization focusing on health and the environment. Teofilo and Monina are the proud parents of lesbian daughter Ana Geaga.

the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines Inc. (MFPI), is a dynamic, non-profit student organization whose mission is to establish and strengthen a broad-based community of outdoor leaders who actively promote responsible mountaineering and committed to understanding, appreciating and protecting the environment.

“Sa aking pananaw, paano naman ako magmamahal bilang isang homosexual man if I don’t express sexually my love with my partner? [When asked to explain his take on the Church’s statement of homosexuality is okay, gay sex is not.] How can love be a sin?”

- The “King of Talk”, publicist, talent manager, celebrity endorser, founding chairman of the Make Your Nanay Proud Foundation, proud gay man, and loving son Boy Abunda supports the Come Out For love campaign.

“I come out for love for the people I love & work with.” #gaypride #20yrs #Dec6 - Christine Bersola-Babao, Philippine-based veteran television anchor, children’s book author, entrepreneur, advocate.

DEC. 6 PRIDE MARCH OFFICIAL SCHEDULE 2:30pm–4:00pm

Registration, assembly, and pre-march program

4:00pm–6:00pm

THE HISTORIC 20th METRO MANILA PRIDE MARCH

6:00pm–7:30pm

Post-march program

7:30pm–1:00am

The Official COME OUT FOR LOVE Pride Party

OUR PARTNERS and sponsors

participating organizations