Cebuano Pride is taking it up a notch this year with so many celebrations prepared by various organizations and LGUs. And with every passing year, the community and festivities are just getting bigger and bigger.
I had the opportunity to attend Cebu Pride Festival’s media huddle held on May 29, and the Opening Night House Party on June 1 at the LoveYourself headquarters. In those events I gained so much insight and met many inspiring individuals of today’s LGBTQIA + community.
We’ve come a long way since the first celebrations of pride. The first ever march in the Philippines was on June 26, 1994. It was to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City. This historical moment was not only the first Pride March in our country, but in Asia too!
A lot has changed from that point on. The LGBTQIA+ community continues to grow. Generations come and go but the spirit remains the same. Celebrating pride has always been a protest in the form of parades and parties. And as a young member such as myself, it is so easy to get lost in the dancing, the music, in the pride.
Cebu Pride Festival’s (CBF) initiatives have served as a reminder to myself that the battle is far from over. Although the community has gained more acceptance in society with government policies in place to protect it, there is still so much work to be done. This is where Cebu Pride Festival’s partnership with LoveYourself Cebu comes in.
LoveYourself is an organization that provides free HIV testing and treatment, and promotes preventative measures like PrEP. It also recognizes the mental health challenges faced by the community and offers support services. Beyond healthcare, they create safe spaces through community centers and advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and equality.
Together with LoveYourself Cebu, CPF 2024 comes with the purest of intentions to put purpose into these celebrations as Ramon Basabe, one of the spearheads, emphasized in the media huddle. This year CPF will have several advocacies to roll out in line with the merry-making.
I realized how crucial it is to remember that Pride goes beyond having fun and celebrating ourselves. We commemorate the members of the community who have paved the way for us. We honor their sacrifices by advocating for the minorities and people in need.
On Pride month, we keep the fight for LGBTQIA+ equality alive. We raise awareness about ongoing issues like HIV/AIDS discrimination, we amplify the voices of minorities like the PWDs, and push for positive change, visibility and community action.
As a Gen Z member or ally, it is our responsibility to educate ourselves and get involved. Let’s get out there and party, protest, and protect our rights. Cebuanos are lucky enough to have a packed schedule for Pride. So you can check out the official Facebook page of Cebu Pride Festival (https://www.facebook.com/cebupridefestival) for upcoming events and LoveYourself Cebu (https://www.facebook.com/loveyourselfwhitehouse/) to learn more about the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Happy Pride!
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