May our holiday season be merry and gay. Yes, that kind of gay.

Ho, ho, ho!

As we enjoy the last few days of 2013, it's fitting to look back and thank those who gave strength, color, and pride to the LGBT community.

In behalf of the organizers of the 2013 Metro Manila Pride March, we would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to everyone who helped in making the 2013 Pride celebration possible.

These are some of the groups that immediately answered the call to organize the Pride March, after a short notice. Without them, the Pride March would have happened.

• Equality Philippines
• Gender and Development Advocates Filipinas
• Lesbian Activism Project
• Malate Business Association
• Metropolitan Community Church
• Outrage Magazine
• Philippine Atheists and Agnostics Society
• PinoyG4M
• Rainbow Rights Project
• Task Force Pride Philippines
• UP Diliman University Student Council
• #VivaManila

The Pride March organizers, in turn, are very grateful to the sponsors who supported the Pride March, sharing resources, financial aid, and performers.

• Heaven Manila (Red Banana, Mint, Zinc, Azzul)
• FAB Acoustic Bar and The Library
• Outrage Magazine
• PinoyG4M
• BED Manila

Many, many thanks, too, to those people who contributed their time and skills for the Pride March.

• Svet de la Cura for the awesome Pride March poster.
• Amnesty International Philippines for distributing the donation for the Typhoon Yolanda victims.
• The police and barangay assistance that helped secure the parade and program area.
• The performers who entertained the Pride March attendees (and did it pro bono).

There may be other people whom we failed to name here but also deserves recognition for their support. We hope that you will accept a blanket thank you and a virtual hug.

And finally, the Pride March is all about the community. We are a community of LGBTQs. That we return every year to join the Pride March shows our bonds as a community.

The Metro Manila Pride March is an effort of the Metro Manila LGBTQ community. The Metro Manila Pride March is for the Metro Manila LGBTQ community.

To those of you who joined the 2013 Metro Manila Pride March: Thank you, happy holidays, and see you again in 2014!

Metro Manila Pride Celebration Cancelled.

It is with a heavy heart that  Task Force Pride is announcing the cancellation of the 2013 Metro Manila Pride Celebration on November 30, as well as the 2013 Metro Manila Pride Month.

Task Force Pride was created to be a network of LGBT and LGBT-allied organizations and individuals to organize and lead the Metro Manila Pride March and Pride Celebration.

Should the Metro Manila LGBTs wish to celebrate Pride as a community, the position to lead Task Force Pride is open to those who would like to initiate that endeavor.

TFP reiterates support for the 2013 Quezon City Pride March.

Credit is given where credit is due.

The Quezon City World Pride Festival, including its highlight event, the Quezon City Pride March on December 7, is an initiative of the Quezon City Pride Council with the support of the Quezon City Government and the many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and LGBT-allied organizations and residents of Quezon City.

Task Force Pride Philippines, a network of Metro Manila LGBT and LGBT-allied organizations and individuals, applauds the good work of the Quezon City Pride Council and supports their many projects for the benefit of the LGBT residents of Quezon City.

This statement of support is is the reason why Task Force Pride announced that it will not host a Metro Manila Pride March in 2013.

[Read more: TFP supports QC Pride Council, sets eyes on Metro Manila Pride March 2014.]

Task Force Pride is making a call for other Metro Manila cities to follow the lead of the Quezon City government in promoting equal rights for its LGBT constituents. Task Force Pride believes that the work of local governments are crucial in ending discrimination against LGBTs.

The passage of more anti-discrimination ordinances would be more cause for celebration as Task Force Pride and the Metro Manila LGBT population prepares for the 20th anniversary of the Metro Manila Pride March, the first Pride March in Southeast Asia, on December 2014.

Metro Manila Pride Celebrations 2013: You don't need to march to celebrate Pride.

You don't need to march to celebrate Pride.

Task Force Pride Philippines and its affiliate organizations, together with #VivaManila and the Malate Business Association, will take Pride to greater heights.

This year, we will show Pride and diversity, art and festivities for an entire month, starting on November 15 all the way to December 14.

We will fill Malate again with color on November 30 for the Metro Manila Pride Celebrations because, really, marching is not the only way to be proud of who you are.

Be a part of the Pride Month. Let us know your plans. Whether you're a part of an organization, a clan, or an individual, send us a message at taskforcepride@gmail.com or at http://facebook.com/tfpphilippines.

Through you, this is not just a dream.
Through you, this is completely possible.

TFP supports QC Pride Council, sets eyes on Metro Manila Pride March 2014

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.

Task Force Pride Philippines at the UP Pride March 2013.

Task Force Pride needs you!

Do you want to help promote positive visibility for LGBTs? Task Force Pride needs you!

Task Force Pride will have an orientation for new volunteers on Sunday, March 17 at 3pm in Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig.

Sign up as a TFP volunteer at http://bit.ly/JoinTFP

(We're not really crazy. Chika lang 'yun.)

An interview with Bernadette Neri, author of 'Ang Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin'

As a small way of celebrating International Women's Day, here is an excerpt from a Kalatas feature article about one very remarkable woman: Prof. Bernadette Neri, author of the groundbreaking children's book, Ang Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin.

Hindi katulad ng mga nakasanayang kuwentong pambata, si Ikaklit (salitang Bontok para sa sunflower o mirasól) ay may dalawang nanay, sina Nay Daisy at Nay Lilia. Isinasalaysay ng panguhing tauhan ang masaya nilang pamumuhay at kung paano nila naresolba ang tunggalian ng kuwento nang nagsimula nang pumasok si Ikaklit sa paaralan at nakisalamuha sa iba pang bata. Dahil itinuturing na “hindi normal” ang pamilyang kinabibilangan ni Ikaklit, madalas siyang niloloko at kinukutya ng kanyang mga kaklase–“Siguro tomboy ang mga nanay mo!”, “E di putok ka lang sa buho!”, at kung ano-ano pa. Ginamit na pananalinghaga ng kuwento ang paghahambing ng iba’t ibang klase ng pamilya sa iba’t ibang klase ng mga bulaklak sa kanilang hardin. Sa huli, kinapitan ng batang Ikaklit ang sinabi ng kanyang Nay Lilia, “Hindi mahalaga kung sino ang nagtanim sa mga punla. At hindi rin mahalaga kung babae ba o lalaki ang nag-aalaga ng mga ito. Ang importante ay kung paano ito inaarugang mabuti.”

In the interview, Professor Neri answered questions on the inspiration behind Ikaklit, challenges to publishing the book, and how its audience received the story.

Task Force Pride Philippines presented Professor Neri the first Gawad Ikaklit during last year's Metro Manila Pride March. Gawad Ikaklit recognizes groundbreaking achievements that positively impacts LGBTs.


Task Force Pride would like to give one huge hug to all women: our mothers, sisters, daughters, nieces, grandmas, aunts, neighbors, mentors, colleagues, bosses, and friends who, one way or another, impact our lives in subtle and significant ways. Just like the women of Ikaklit, they add color and meaning to the garden of our lives.

Source: K Magazine: Interviews: Bernadette Villanueva Neri
Kalatas is the official publication of the Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL), the largest organization of Filipino writers in the country.

Join us at the 2012 Metro Manila Pride March for a Commitment Ceremony with Public Affirmation.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that." - Martin Luther King

The Unitarian Universalists of Metro Manila together with Task Force Pride Philippines invite you and your partner to publicize your commitment and gather your community's affirmation.

Join us this December 8 at the 2012 Metro Manila Pride March for a Commitment Ceremony with Public Affirmation. We will sanctify love in a public ceremony.

Register at http://bit.ly/ccpaPrideMLA

The ceremony is open to both straight and gay couples, exclusively dating or in an open relationship.

Please visit the Metro Manila Pride March Facebook page or follow PrideMarch_MLA in Twitter to get updates on the Pride March and the Commitment Ceremony.

http://www.facebook.com/manilapridemarch
http://twitter.com/PrideMarch_MLA

You can also email Task Force Pride Philippines at taskforcepride2012@gmail.com

To learn more about the Unitarian Universalists of Metro Manila, please visit:

http://www.uua.org
http://www.facebook.com/groups/115066541892/

Help Pride March 2012

Every year the Metro Manila Pride March is made possible by volunteer individuals and organizations who make up Task Force Pride Philippines.

Every year we start from scratch, no funds and no list of sponsors.

Every year we want to improve the Pride March and after party.

This year is no different. It's a few weeks before we march for equality, we barely have any budget to hold what is supposed to be the biggest LGBT event of the year. 

This year if 1,000 people donated P150 each, you'd be helping us make sure we have lights and a sound system and generator for the program; food for the people who will be performing for free; rent for band equipment for the band members; tokens for our speakers, etc.

This year show your support for the LGBT community and our continued fight for equal rights and better representation in government. Any amount would be a step to make this event possible.

You can forward your donations thru:

Paypal:

http://bit.ly/HelpPrideMarch2012

*BPI Savings Account

Account Name: 

Christopher Allan Abanco 

OR 

Jonathan Villaroza Caalim

Account Number: 4359-1177-58

Help us spread the word. Let's make this year different.