MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Beating its record in 2018, this year’s Metro Manila Pride March continued its streak as the largest and oldest Pride demonstration in Southeast Asia.

The 2019 Metro Manila Pride March at the Marikina Sports Center recorded 70,000 attendees on Saturday, June 29, the organizers said. This was almost thrice its number of participants in 2018. 

Last year, Metro Manila Pride broke records as the oldest and biggest Pride demonstration in Southeast Asia because of its 25,000-strong crowd.

70,000 strong na tayo mga mahal! #ResistTogether pic.twitter.com/7RFs2Ic9fB

— Metro Manila Pride (@mmprideorg) June 29, 2019

Anchored on the theme #ResistTogether, this year’s celebration of Pride aims to highlight the rootedness of Pride in protest, particularly the Stonewall riots of June 1969.  Those riots which broke out 50 years ago were sparked by repeated police raids on the Stonewall Inn – a well-known gay bar in New York’s Greenwich Village.

The Pride march also seeks to amplify the clamor against the oppression and social injustices faced not only by the LGBTQ+ community but also other marginalized sectors at large. (READ: [OPINION] Pride is coming to an end, now what?)

Established in 1994, Metro Manila Pride has provided avenues for allies and members of the LGBTQ+ community to celebrate their identities while staging protests on social issues. (READ: Beyond Pride march, advocates urge LGBTQ+ community to #ResistTogether)

Rappler is one of the official media partners of Metro Manila Pride. – Rappler.com