WORDS OF LOVE AND SUPPORT
On LGBTQ+ Pride Month, several celebrities, politicians and other personalities took to social media to send their messages of solidarity, love and support. Here are some of them:
LENI ROBREDO Vice President of the Philippines
Kaisa ako ng (I am one with the) LGBTQIA+ community sa pagdiriwang ng (in celebrating) Pride Month
Throughout the years, the LGBTQIA+ community provided a shelter to the oppressed, a voice to the marginalized and a family to the isolated. Despite this, challenges persist: Mula
sa (from) lack of employment opportunities and access to healthcare services, hanggang sa iba’t
ibang anyo ng (to different forms of) violence at (and) discrimination sa (in) public and virtual spaces, napakarami pang kailangang isulong
(there are a lot more things to address) to truly establish an atmosphere of acceptance and genuine equality for all.
That is why today and beyond this month-long celebration, we are called to intensify our efforts. Ang layunin natin: Isang lipunan kung saan lahat nasisilungan, lahat natutulungan, lahat naaaruga, anuman ang kasarian o katayuan sa buhay. Kung saan niyayakap ang LGBTQIA+ bilang kapwa tao who have the same rights and dignity, and that deserve the same love, respect and acceptance as everyone else.
May we continue to deepen the ties that bind us as a nation and strengthen our collective resolve to build a fairer, humane, truly equitable society. Muli (Again), Happy Pride Month sa lahat (to all)!
RISA HONTIVEROS Senator
The pandemic is characterized, especially for marginalized sectors, by loneliness and violence. And yet the LGBTQIA+ community, despite being met with so much discrimination, always reminds us: Love first. You are never alone.
LEILA M. DE LIMA Senator
I am one with KULAY (Kapisanan ng LGBTQi+ sa Pilipinas) and the whole LGBTQIA+ community in celebration of Pride Month and in our fight for equality and respect for human rights. Sa makahulugang pagdiriwang na ito, nakikita natin ang matingkad na kontribusyon ng LGBTQIA+ sa lipunan, at kung paanong sa kabila
ng pagsubok, nangingibabaw ang inyong di-natitinag na katatagan ng loob at lakas ng pagkakaisa (During this meaningful celebration, we see bright contribution of the LGBTQIA+ community to society and how despite the challenges how your unfaltering resilience and strength of unity shine through). Pero ang pinaka-hangad natin: Hindi lamang sa buwan na ito o sa mga piling pagdiriwang binibigyang-pansin at tinututukan ang inyong karapatan at ang mga hakbang para tuluyan nang wakasan ang pang-aapi at diskriminasyon. Sa pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay, itaguyod natin ang isang lipunang patas, may paggalang
at pagpapahalaga sa dignidad ng bawat isa (But our desire is that it is not only in this month and other celebrations that your rights are noticed and given attention, and steps are undertaken to end oppression and discrimination. In everyday life, let’s uphold an equitable society which respects and values the dignity of everyone).
A meaningful and joyful celebration of Pride Month to all!
GERALDINE ROMAN Representative of the First District of Bataan
May we all find the strength to reclaim our narratives and the courage to own our stories. I would like to remind you all that you are loved, you are valid and you are worth it.
Our fight continues. Sabay-sabay nating labanan ang diskriminasyon at karahasan laban sa mga miyembro ng LGBTQ community lalo na ngayong panahon ng
pandemya (Together, let’s fight discrimination and violence against the LGBTQ community, especially during the pandemic).
LOREN LEGARDA Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative
No person should be discriminated on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
As co-author of the SOGIE bill, I join everyone in celebrating Pride Month this June. Let us celebrate love, life, acceptance and envelop ourselves within that beautiful and colorful rainbow of understanding.
CATRIONA GRAY Miss Universe 2018
Time to proactively look back at how far we’ve come in our fight for equality and how far we have yet to go. I say
OUR fight towards equality because we cannot progress as a whole if some of us are left behind.
I stand with you in celebrating love in all forms, in freedom of self expression. Everyone, regardless of their identity, expression and preference deserves equal opportunities, safety and respect.
ANNE CURTIS Actor and host
Sending my love and support to the LGBTQIA+ community. You will always have my respect and support! I continue to stand with you!!! Big hugs and kisses!
MARIUS CARLOS JR. Editor and creative director
Ang sakit sa ulo na may naniniwala pa rin na magiging queer ang isang bata (My head hurts on the fact the there are still who believe that a child will be queer) by reading or watching anything with queer characters.
I had gay teachers in elementary and high school. I have a gay uncle who used to do make-up for Nora Aunor back in the day (or so they say) and he had groovy, shiny hair. My entire college life, I was surrounded by every band of the LGBTQIA+ flag. My friends would update me on their hook-ups and misadventures as gay, bisexual or otherwise queer folk. My sexuality and identity remained the same. They changed me, yes. They taught me how to love everyone, even as they come from a place that was rarely loved.
It’s not the queer community that is the problem. It is bigotry. Don’t raise this generation on misinformation, antiquated religion and hate. It ends with us.
The child twenty years ago has spoken. No more hate.