Gay parade draws 4,000 people in Mandaue City

At least 4,000 people have converged during the Pride March organized by the groups of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, queer, intersex and asexuals (LGBTQIA) in Mandaue City last Sunday evening.

Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing said he did not expect the huge number of crowd because he was only expecting about 500 people to gather at the city's heritage plaza. Quisumbing said that the number of people during the event shows that the LGBT community is being supported.

"The LGBT community, as well as those that are allies really, came out in full force kay Mandaue City has long been considered the home of tolerance, the home of equality, and tonight's activity is an excellent testimony for that," Quisumbing said during his speech.

When it comes to fighting for equality, Quisumbing believes that the heterosexual women and men are the LGBT's strongest allies.

LGBT communities from the cities of LapuLapu, Mandaue, Talisay and as far as Negros Oriental took their individuality by parading from the Heritage Plaza of Mandaue City through the streets of Barangay Ibabao-Estancia, to A.C. Cortes, Plaridel, and back in the plaza.

All the LGBT members were calling for the passage and approval of the proposed Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Bill which is still pending at the Senate.

The proposed bill seeks to protect the rights of the member of the LGBT community and to eliminate the discriminatory acts based on SOGIE.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza also supported event by joining the LGBT community from the city known as Mahuyang Alang sa Kalamboan (MASK). A motorcade of rainbowcolored floats spiced up the streets of Mandaue City. The parade was led by City Treasurer Regal Oliva, a strong advocate of LGBT rights.

Janice Marsada, who leads the Talisay City Lesbian Camaraderie (TLC), said the Pride March was a great experience for all of them.

"It was a great experience and we are very thankful to the organizers. The Pride March gave us an avenue to express ourselves freely and celebrate our identity. We are looking forward to participating in a similar event next year! We are also hoping that our signatures would help pass the SOGIE Bill," Marsada said.

She founded the TLC after she joined Miss Talisay last year. The group now has 123 members. With Mandaue City being known as the LGBTfriendly city, 23-year-old Marsada hopes that Talisay City will soon have the same celebration.

"Yes, nag-hope gyud! We would be very supportive if mahitabo na," Marsada said.