I've been a supporter of the LGBT cause for years, but this was really my first time going to the Pride Parade. For those of you interested, let me tell you how it was like:
1. L O V E. Just love, all over the place.
You can smile or wave your flag at someone's face and be smiled at and waved at, and you really just fucking know that that person only wishes you love and happiness. You can see in everyone's eyes that they're there to spread love and good vibes, kahit haggardo versoza na because mum, mainit.
2. HOME. It feels like home.
I'm straight, but damn did everyone made you feel belong. If you were LGBTQ+, and you were very closeted, baka maiyak ka just seeing people wearing rainbow shirts and bands (ako nga nagsusulat lang nito, naiiyak eh). But yung sobrang natouch lang talaga ako, and my boyfriend can vouch for this, yung mej naiyak lang yung frenny mo nung sabay sabay kumanta ng Born This Way yung crowd. No, they weren't singing it like they hated the world for hating them, but they were singing it as if celebrating themselves.
3. SUPPORT. "Maki-beki, wag ma-shokot!"
While this is a mainly a celebration of love, syempre di na natin palalagpasin yung chance to shout out and push for the passing of legislations, esp the strengthening of the Anti-Discrimination Bill. If I'm not mistaken, yung gig ng Filipino Freethinkers were placards with flags of countries where there's marriage equality. Of course we can hope (and we hope so much) that this happens in the PH soon.
4. HOPE, and not just for the LGBT.
The LGBT movement has been around for a long time, so long that for sure it felt hopeless multiple times in history. But seeing these people, all this love and strength as a community, gives us hope. These people are allowing us to believe and strive for whatever seems impossible.
5. Daming pogi. Charot hahahahahaha
But seriously, everyone was glowing, and the Proud were looking very FABULOUS!
6. "God's love is stronger than hate"
This is whole other discussion, but it's touching to see those who you don't expect to be on your side but are holding up the same banners and flags as you. If there's one thing I believe about God, is that he is a God of love.
7. Lots of corporate support
Dami naming companies, mostly BPOs na nakita with their own banners and gigs. It's good to know that the industries are shifting in support of the LGBT (but to give credit, they have been naman for a long time). In one article I read, the BPO industry is one of the most accommodating to the LGBT, nicknamed a "haven for gender-nonconforming people". Read more:https://www.buzzfeed.com/…/the-philippines-call-center-revo…
I urge you to come to the next #MetroManilaPrideParade (or Quezon City ata yung next?) and see all of these for yourself. Promise, beh. Lablab!
