Posted on by Social Marketing Office

On June 29, 2019, the Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region joined the LGBTQIA+ Community and its supporters to march in solidarity and celebrate with pride, with the aim of fighting injustices against the community. This is being done in celebration of the 25th Metro Manila Pride March 2019 with the theme, “Resist Together”, held at the Marikina Sports Center.

DSWD-NCR staff during the Pride March 2019

From 5,000 participants in 2017 to 25,000 last year, the number of participants in this year’s Pride March rose up to 77,000; making Metro Manila Pride the biggest in Southeast Asia. The event was known for providing a safe space for the LGBTQIA+, wherein love and diversity have thrived. Power hugs from moms, dads, and even straight participants were overflowing.

As part of the Department’s advocacy for equality and support to all marginalized sectors, the DSWD-NCR staff, together with the LGBTQIA+ Community, sang and chanted while raising their placards and pride flags calling for an end to discrimination, for the start of gender equality, and for resisting oppression and social injustice.

Part of the event was the lighting of the 12-meter symbolic monument which stands firm at the Cityhood Park, illuminating rainbow colors which represent the LGBTQIA+. The event was graced by the presence of Mayor Marcelino Teodoro and Vice Mayor Marion Andres of Marikina City.

Some of the participants of the Pride March 2019 together with their placards and rainbow flag

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa LGBTQ+ community dahil binibigyan nila ng kulay ang ating lungsod. Naipapakita natin na at the end of the day, we are all equally created. Isang malaking karangalan na dito natin ilulunsad ang ceremonial lighting of LGBTQ+ colors. At the same time, gusto natin palakasin ang ating institusyon na may malaking pagsuporta sa pagkapantay-pantay ng bawat isa,” Mayor  Teodoro said.

Despite the heavy rain, Marikina was still covered with colorful outfits, avant-garde floats, and upbeat music of the participants chanting for equality – Resisting together.

“The Church should just embrace differences, because being different doesn’t mean bad.” – Pope Francis ###

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