ZAMBOANGA CITY, Mar 7 (PIA) – Mujer LGBTQ+ Organization Inc. in Zamboanga City participates in Sydney World Pride 2023 on February 17 to March 5, 2023.

The organization proudly represented the Philippines and the Mindanaoan in this celebration of pride among the LGBTQ+ community. Alvin Toni Gee Fernandez, President and Executive Director of Mujer-LGBT Organization Inc., took this opportunity to share the struggles and issues faced by the community in Mindanao.

Fernandez emphasized that LGBTQ+ Communities in Mindanao share mostly the same struggles with the other communities in the rest of the country, Mindanao LGBTQ+ Communities differ in the level of exclusion and violence they need to put up with because they face problems from different aspects: economically, mentally, and politically. Still a marginalized sector in the political sphere, challenged by threats, victimization and pressure; and underserved during calamities.

There are several issues that needs to be addressed especially that manifests in times of conflict and refuge. Some of which are evacuation sites not being sensitive to LGBTQ+ needs, and families led by same sex-couples not being recognized in relief goods distribution and disaster assistance.

Moreover, the Mujer LGBTQ+ Organization Inc. expressed their gratitude to be part of the World Pride as LGBT movements are still mostly centralized in Metro Manila and other regions are having a hard time keeping up with addressing the concerns of the sector, “this holds true especially in less developed spaces and areas of conflict, World Pride provided Mindanaoans representation and visibility,” Fernandez added.

In celebration of Women's Month, the organization will conduct a caravan and congress entitled #Women2023: Hermosa Trans Congress to push for social inclusion of trans women in public spaces.

“We hope to open more minds and illuminate more issues and struggles unique to the LGBTQ+ Communities across the beautiful Island of Mindanao. And we will strive to push for more causes to make the lives of our LGBTQ siblings in our island, as vibrant and serene as the vintas sailing on its seas,” Fernandez said. (NBE/EDT/MLE/PIA9-Zamboanga City/With reports from Mujer LGBTQ+ Organization Inc.)