ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jul 03 (PIA) – The Pride Flag with its vivid "colors of the rainbow" took center stage in the recently concluded Pride Month here.
The City Government of Zamboanga, showing its strong support on gender equality and expression of the LGBTQIA+ community, organized the colorful "Pride Parade" in celebration of the Pride Month.
This is the second city-wide Pride Parade that the City Government of Zamboanga Gender and Development Office conducted, in collaboration with the Mujer LGBT+ organization, which hoped to promote gender equality through awareness on discrimination, especially against the LGBTQIA+ community.
Wilfredo Aporongao, head of Zamboanga City GAD office said the Pride month is about recognizing the uniqueness of each individual and how can they contribute to the society.
“Pride is not just about a single letter or identity, it's about embracing the entire spectrum of love and expression,” he stressed.
Agreeably, the Mujer LGBT+ Organization in Zamboanga City also emphasized that Pride is not just about celebration, but also about activism, education, and creating change.
"While our Pride Month celebration ends, our fight and call for equality continues. As long as people of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression experience discrimination and harassment, Pride will always be a protest," said Toni Gee Fernandez, president of Mujer LGBT+ Organization.
Aside from the Pride Parade, several activities are lined-up during the whole month of June for the LGBTQIA+ community. One of the activities highlighted is the proposed anti-discrimination ordinance of Zamboanga City, which is still pending at the city council.
The Gender and Development Office, together with other stakeholders, had a consultative meeting on the city’s Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Ordinance.
This is a move to strengthen the protection of Zamboangueños against all forms of discrimination on the basis of race, color, civil and social status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions, language, national or social origin, including culture and ethnicity, property, birth or age, disability and health status, religion, creed and ideological beliefs and physical appearance.
The City Government of Zamboanga expects the support of all Zamboangeños in achieving the vision of an inclusive society.
“Together, let us show the world that love knows no boundaries; that diversity is our strength; and that we are proud to be who we are,” said Aporongao. (RVC/EDT/MLE/PIA9-Zamboanga City)
