Members of the LGBTQIA+ community in Baguio City came together to celebrate Pride month with a vibrant and colorful street parade along Session Road on June 24, Saturday. More than 500 community members, alongside various groups and organizations, participated in the event. The celebration also included a program at Igorot Park, featuring solidarity messages from gender groups and captivating performances by organizations and drag queens.
The focal point of this year’s pride festivities in Baguio City was the urgent need for the passage of the SOGIE (Sexual Orientation Or Gender Identity Or Expression) bill. This legislation, which has been pending for 23 years since its initial filing, aims to protect the rights and ensure equality for individuals of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Herson Arcega, co-chairperson of Northern Luzon Pride, emphasized the importance of conveying the community’s message to Congress and urging them to pass the bill.
Julia Soriano, the other co-chairperson of Northern Luzon Pride, highlighted the significance of public demonstrations and events like the pride parade in shedding light on discrimination and showcasing the widespread support for the SOGIE Equality bill. Additionally, the attendees not only advocated for the passage of the bill but also voiced their concerns regarding higher wages for workers and the cessation of state-sponsored violence. The LGBTQIA+ community in Baguio City recognizes the interconnection between their struggles and those of other sectors in society.
Furthermore, this year’s pride festivities aimed to showcase the talent and creativity of local LGBTQIA+ artists and drag queens. A pride fair was organized at Igorot Park preceding the parade, featuring merchandise created by these artists. Supporting LGBTQ artists is essential in amplifying their experiences and reaching a wider audience. Baguio City, known for its vibrant artistic community, has a plethora of queer artists who played a significant role in the success of the Pride month event.
To conclude the pride parade, local drag performers “The Emerald” and “Faze” took the spotlight with captivating lip-sync performances, showcasing the immense talent of drag queens in Baguio City. Herson Arcega expressed his admiration for the growth and development of local drag queens, highlighting their exceptional abilities.
The pride celebrations in Baguio City were a magnificent display of unity, creativity, and resilience from the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies. Their collective voice and unwavering determination continue to push for equality, justice, and acceptance for all.
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