UP Pride starts today
The University of the Philippines Diliman (UP) is officially starting its 13th Pride celebration today, 26 October. This year, it carries the theme “Sama-Sama, Pantay-Pantay” (Together for Equality), enjoining the different sectors of the university to move forward for real acceptance and gender equality.
The opening event will stream live on the UP Pride Facebook page at 10 a.m., highlighted by the messages of Vice President Leni Robredo, the first government official of the highest position to openly express support for the LGBTQ+ community in Philippine history; Senator Risa Hontiveros, a long-time ally of the community; and the director of the UP Center for Women’s and Gender Studies Nathalie Africa-Verceles.
They will joined by guest celebrities and social media personalities including actors of local Boys’ Love series — Tony Labrusca, JC Alcantara and Miguel Almendras of Hello Stranger; Ali King, Alec Kevin and Carlo Tingcungco of Boys’ Lockdown; Paolo Pangilinan and Ian Pangilinan of Gaya sa Pelikula; Royce Cabrera of Quaranthings; and Teejay Marquez and Jerome Ponce of Ben x Jim — KaladKaren, Adrienne Vergara, Adrianna So, Iyah Mina and Macoy Dubs.
There will be a lineup of events for the five days, but there have been precursor events such as the Datathon from 17 to 25 October to create a map of HIV facilities in the Philippines. The information HIV and AIDS, gathered from support organizations and individuals, will be used to create a consolidated map of HIV services that can be publicly accessed beginning 31 October.
LGBTQ+ rights are human rights.
On 23 October, “EDbokasiya 1: SOGIESC 101” was held from 6 to 7 p.m., live on their Facebook page, with Philippine Anti-Discrimination Alliance of Youth Leaders (PANTAY) convener Vince Liban sharing basic information on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC).
The UP College of Home Economics (CHE) Student Council held an educational online discussion on equality and inclusivity, “Tara! uCHEp Tayo!” on 24 October, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Guest speakers were Venus Aves, Pangalawang Punong Babaylan of UP Babaylan and co-head of UP Pride 2020, and Kale Capital of Bahaghari and Alay Sining UP Diliman.
In support of the UP Pride, the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHR) posted infographics on 21 and 22 October on Facebook about the Gender Ombud Guidelines Protocol 3 on handling cases involving persons with diverse sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, and the different sexual orientations and gender identities and the meanings of LGBTQIA+ to educate the public.
“Humanity is so diverse and that makes our world colorful and wonderful. Spread the knowledge and spread the love. Let the pride colors shine bright!” the government agency said.
CHR also released colorful wallpapers for mobile phones, with messages such as “LGBTQ+ rights are human rights,” saying that they are “one with the community in continuously pushing for equality and end of discrimination and violence based on SOGIESC.”
Aside from the messages, the opening day will also see the posting of infographics on cases of discrimination based on SOGIESC, released by the UP Diliman Gender Office. The Virtual Pride Hangout will also be open on the Roblox platform until 30 October. UP Pride will also be featured at the opening of the historic Philippine Queer Studies Conference live on Facebook.
The UP CHE Student Council will be back with “Rainbow Narratives” from 27 to 30 October. On the other hand, the UP Diliman Gender Office will hold its podcast series “Chikahan sa Panitikang LGBTQIA++” on Facebook and Twitter at 3 p.m. from 27 to 29 October.
On 28 October, from 4 to 6 p.m., “Equality Talk 1: Being Queer in UP” will be tackle SOGIESC-based discrimination and LGBTQ+ inclusion with queer and allied students, professors and staff of the UP system. Panelists will include Mary Kathleen Tronco from UP Baguio, Eloi Hernandez from UP Diliman, Dr. Emilia A. Lastica-Ternura from UP Los Baños, Dr. Winlove Mojica from UP Manila, Rey Mart Malaya Lapiña from UP Mindanao and Elizabeth Van Cauwenberghe from UP Visayas. UP Babaylan Clark Chapter will hold “Bakla Lang?: A Roundtable Discussion About the Emergence and Trend of Boys’ Love Series” on Facebook from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
The following day, from 5 to 7 p.m., “Equality Talk 2: Seal the Bill” will spotlight the SOGIE Equality Bill and antidiscrimination ordinances with Senator Risa Hontiveros; Kaka Bag-ao, governor of Dinagat Islands; Claire de Leon of Lagablab LGBT Ne t wo r k ; Maroz Ramos of GALANG; and Magdalena Robinson of Cebu United Rainbow LGBT Sector. UP Babaylan Clark Chapter will hold “Hindi Astig Ang Stigma: An Educational Discussion About the Situation of the PLHIV in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic” on Facebook from 3:45 to 6 p.m. The last day, 30 October, will feature “HQ76.5-2020: A Roundtable Discussion on Finding Pride in the Stacks” at 2 p.m. by the UP School of Library and Information Studies. The UP Pride will culminate with the Equality Rally by
UP’s LGTBQ+ groups at the University Avenue, from 3 to 6 p.m. followed by the UP Pride Twitter Rally, which will start at 8 p.m.
This year, it carries the theme ‘ Sama-Sama, Pantay-Pantay’ (Together for Equality), enjoining the different sectors of the university to move forward for real acceptance and gender equality