PASIG CITY, 23 July 2013 – Task Force Pride (TFP) Philippines announces that it has decided not to host the annual Metro Manila Pride March for December 2013. This is in support of the planned Quezon City Pride March by the Quezon City Pride Council.
In a historical first, the Quezon City government formed the Quezon City Pride Council (QCPC) in March of this year. Chaired by movie and television director, Soxie Topacio, QCPC aims to oversee the integration of all city programs and projects for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) constituents within the city. Among their many proposed projects is to hold a Pride March in Quezon City on the first week of December.
“Task Force Pride has envisioned that eventually there will be a Pride celebration in every city in Metro Manila,” said Bern Abraham, TFP spokesperson. “Starting with passing an Anti-Discrimination Ordinance, it is good that QC has consistently set an ideal example for other cities in Metro Manila to emulate.”
Since 1999, TFP, a network of various LGBT and human right organizations, has taken the helm in organizing the Metro Manila Pride March. Begun in 1994, the Metro Manila Pride March is the first LGBT Pride March in Southeast Asia.
According to Jade Tamboon, one of the Head Coordinators of TFP, the Quezon City Pride March is the culmination of the QC government’s efforts in promoting equality for LGBT people. TFP applauds this pioneering endeavor and hopes to see other cities in Metro Manila create their own programs to end discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation.
Task Force Pride also has other campaigns and events in line for the rest of the year. This includes preparations for a grander, wider, and more inclusive celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Metro Manila Pride March on December 6, 2014.
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| Task Force Pride Philippines at the UP Pride March 2013. |
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