In celebration of Pride Month, organizations from LGBTQIA+ communities around the Philippines gathered to lobby for a national council.

In the Heroes Hall of Malacañang Palace, various council members of the LGBT Pilipinas party list from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao gathered in celebration of Pride Month. On June 29, 2023, the reception offered a platform for an alliance of LGBTQIA+ organizations to push for the creation of a commission or an advisory council for gender equality to the Office of the President.

The reception began with welcome messages by Maria Renan Eusebio, Secretary-General of LGBT Pilipinas, and Director Norman Baloro, the National Chair. This was followed by a multi-colored Festival of Lights Performance, the Bailes De Luces. To top the multi-colored display, a flagbearer from Negros Occidental waved a light-adorned rainbow flag.

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The theatrical Bailes De Luces performance. Photos courtesy of Liam Labrooy.

The reception continued from the morning to the afternoon with solidarity messages by multiple speakers and figures in the minority community pushing for gender inclusivity. These included Maria Corazon Abalos, Hon. Vice Mayor Gefree Alonsabe, Hon. Mayor Florence Fawa-Batula, Hon. Vice Governor Eufemia Ang Dacayo, Hon. Vice Governor Karen Agapay, Administrator Arnell Ignacio, Usec. Patricia Yvonne M. Caunan. The solidarity message ended with Hon. Congresswoman Geraldine Roman, who is well-known as the first transgender person elected to Congress. For the official PRIDE speech, USEC Py Caunan from the Department of Migrant Workers took to the stage.

Various LGBT Council Members from the South. Photo from Liza Marcos FB page.

Liza Marcos delivers a message at the reception. Photo from Liza Marcos FB page.

First Lady Louise Araneta (Liza) Marcos shared on the podium that the first family has a tradition every Christmas to ask for one wish, indicating that for the upcoming holidays, she will offer her wish to give a national commission to the LGBTQIA+ community. She said in her speech:

“I was going to talk about the different bills… But instead, I will talk about love and why we are so blessed to wake up every morning with the people we love. Kayo (you) fought for love. No one should dictate who you love. So let’s always remember to support one another in unity.”

While President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was not scheduled to attend the reception, he surprised the crowd with a sudden appearance.

A surprise visit from the President Marcos — A surprise visit from the President. Photo courtesy of Liam Labrooy.

Since 2016, LGBT Pilipinas has been a grassroots alliance and a national network of LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations. The community has long sought for national measures to penalize discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). In an appeal to the Office of the President, the colorful reception revolved around a continued push for inclusive policies for the LGBTQIA+ community in the country.