LGBT PRIDE PARADE!

Atotal of 41 Davaobased Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) groups participated in the annual LGBT pride parade last June 24, at Roxas Avenue, Davao City. The annual activity serves as a venue for LGBT members to express their call for support of the pending SOGIE Bill. The SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression) Equality Bill, also known as the Anti-Discrimination Bill, is still pending in Congress. It is intended to prevent various economic and public accommodation-related acts of discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

Around 2,000 individuals joined the parade, which occupied one lane of Roxas Avenue from the junction of C.M. Recto Street to the corner of Padre Gomez.

Aside from the LGBT groups, a group of motorcycle riders also participated in the parade. The Davao Mio I (DMI) club is

a group of Davao-based riders composed of individuals from different sectors.

On their motorcycles, the group joined the parade to show their support to the LGBT members.

"Duna sab miy mga miyembro sa club nga mga LGBT mao nga todo ang amoang suporta sa maong aktibidad. Ang amoang pagpartisipar silbing pagpakita sab nga ang amoang club andam mo dawat og mga riders mapa-straight man o LGBT," DMI treasurer Jas Candido said.

The Pride Parade lightened up the quiet Sunday mood, gathering a crowd that cheered at the antics of the more flamboyant gays.