‘Celebration, freedom, and equality:’ Netizens speak up about pride

MANILA, Philippines – Pride can mean different things to different people. 

This was evident as MovePH, Rappler’s civic engagement arm, kicked off its 2019 Pride Month coverage through an online conversation on Saturday, June 1. Twitter was filled with love and compassion when it asked its readers: “What does Pride mean to you?” 

From celebrations of love to fighting for equality, LGBTQI+  (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex) members and allies expressed their thoughts on what pride was for them.

For Twitter user hyacinthe, pride is a celebration of diversity and accepting who you are. This was echoed by Carlos, saying pride is a “platform where everyone can be whoever they want to be.”

Pride is simply accepting who you are. It is breaking through the barriers and confinements of stereotypical beliefs in our society. It is a celebration of diversity. This is who I am and I am proud of it. #PHPride2019 #ResistTogether https://t.co/SC4UWvXXWg

— hyacinthe (@hanxyuree) June 1, 2019

Pride is a a celebration of one’s uniqueness and individuality. It is embracing the real ‘you’ without hesitation. Pride is a platform where everyone can be whoever they want to be. #PHPride2019 #ResistTogether https://t.co/5aaljGkL2i

— CARLOS (@carlos_rossi19) June 1, 2019

 

Meanwhile, Edward Bryan made a striking point that pride goes beyond the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community. For Bryan, pride is the humanity that calls for acceptance “regardless of the choices we make.”

Pride goes beyond the struggles of LGBT people. It’s also about the humanity that resides inside of us. It’s this ‘humanity’ that calls us to respect and love each other regardless of the choices we make.

— Edward Bryan (@eccaisip) June 1, 2019

 

For Twitter user Kim, pride means the “freedom to love without the fear of judgment.”

It means freedom to love and express without fear or judgement.
It means resisting and toppling the patriarchy and capitalism.
Pride means equality for ALL.#PHPride2019 #ResistTogether https://t.co/jodCE13WdI

— kim (@bluebendystraw) June 2, 2019

 

Giolo Bucoy Tadeo, meanwhile, called for equality as he expressed his thoughts about what pride means. “Gay rights are human rights and must be equal in all aspect of society!”

Pride is about being truthful and coming into terms on who you are. Gay rights are human rights and must be equal in all aspect of society! #PHPride2019

— Giolo Bucoy Tadeo (@gtinsf) June 2, 2019

 

For a long while now, the Philippine LGBTQI+ community has lobbied for the enactment of an anti-discrimination law, rather than a law on same-sex marriage.

Last year, the issue was brought before the Supreme Court. (READ: Your guide to the Supreme Court oral arguments on same-sex marriage)

The fight for same-sex marriage in the Philippines goes beyond what is morally accepted or not. It’s about the equal protection of the law. (READ: As #LoveWins in Taiwan, Filipinos weigh in on same-sex marriage in PH)

Below are the highlights of the conversation:

#PHPride2019 – Curated tweets by rapplerdotcom

 

Join us again on Saturday, June 8, at 7 pm for the second part of our online conversation for pride month. – Rappler.com