Whether you’re a part of the LGBTQIA+ community or an ally, Pride Month is a time to live and be free.
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While we’ve celebrated Pride for decades, this year’s celebrations and protests feel just as urgent. With all the advances we’ve had as a society in terms of inclusion and acceptance for the LGBTQIA+ community, there have been multiple setbacks. Drag continues to be vilified, the transgender community is under attack from those who wish to erase them, and the SOGIE Bill counties to languish in government.
Now, more than ever, we should not turn our back on Pride as we continue to advocate for people across all backgrounds and spectrums. As Pride Month continues, we’ve listed down a few suggestions on how you can still make the most of the month and live the spirit of Pride.
ATTEND PRIDE EVENTS AND MARCHES
This June will see dozens of events be held all over the Philippines to celebrate, commemorate, and advocate for Pride, If you’re looking to do just that, you may want to attend one, two, or multiple events. Two of the biggest ones will be happening on June 24. The first is Pride Festival 2023, which will have a theme of Love, Laban: A Celebration of the Fight for Love in All Forms and Ways, and will be going down in Quezon City. The second one is Metro Manila Pride’s march and festival with this year’s theme being Tayo and Kulayaan and will take place at Circuit Makati.
If you’re looking for that special music kick in your Pride festivities, you may also want to attend Pop Emergency and UMUSIC Philippines’ Pride and Power Volume III: Loves Takes Space in Quezon City on June 17, which will see drag queens, queer advocates, and allies come together. Chances are, a Pride event may be happening in your neighborhood, so feel free to attend any you like. Just remember what the whole point of these events is about, and tip your local drag queens, if you can.
BE A GOOD ALLY
Pride Month, and all months of the year actually, is a good time to be a supportive ally towards the LGBTQIA+ community. Pride is all about celebrating and fighting for the rights of the community, and the last thing they need is for people to turn their backs on them. It doesn’t take long to realize that we still have a long way to go for LGBTQIA+ acceptance in the Philippines. Pride is still a protest, after all. Support also doesn’t need to be done through grand gestures, it can be as simple as accepting and respecting LGBTQIA+ family and friends and making them feel seen and heard. It literally costs zero pesos to be a good ally.
BE WHO YOU ARE
Pride Month is all about waving your flag and embracing who you are. A time to be loud and proud, Pride Month brings together the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies to advance the cause of creating a safe and inclusive space for everyone to live to the fullest. Simply being who you are and living your truth is enough to bring meaning to Pride. While some try to tear down the community and brush off their concerns as not important, that shouldn’t stop you from embracing your liberating, unapologetic, and boundless colors.
SUPPORT QUEER-OWNED AND ALLIED BUSINESSES
While it is nice seeing big corporations show their support to the LGBTQIA+ community, rainbow capitalism can be a double-edged sword, especially since some companies can back away from their support at the hint of criticism (*cough* Target *cough). This is why, this Pride Month, show your support towards queer Filipino-owned and true allied businesses by directing your wallet towards them. Cop yourself items that are brimming with Pride, such as LollyKiss’ sweet and special Pride lollies that feature over 30 designs across the spectrum. Whether you are a part of the community or an ally, know that your shopping is going to the right people.
Continue Reading: So, After Pride Month, How Do You Really Support The LGBTQIA+ Community?
