“Pride is an avenue to confront systemic oppression, highlight community issues, and rally our voices toward genuine inclusion. When the essence of Pride is diluted, we must take a stand.”

CAGAYAN DE ORO — Pride March is one of the annual highlight activities worldwide to celebrate the efforts of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, queers, intersexuals, asexuals, and other identities (LGBTQIA+) in fighting for equality and inclusivity. 

However, Kahilwayan, a Mindanao-based network of LGBTQIA+ organizations, individuals, and allies, decided not to participate in the annual Pride March activity this year in Cagayan de Oro, the regional center of Northern Mindanao. It called out the city government’s Gender and Development Office for allegedly failing to uphold the principles of diversity and inclusivity.

Kahilwayan is a Hiligaynon word that means freedom.

While the group did not explain what happened, its concerns pertained to the alleged exclusion of LGBTQIA+ voices from the grassroots, lack of transparency, and the gatekeeping of Pride which they assert undermines the values that members of the community fight for. It stressed that equality “cannot be dictated from the top down [because] it must be built collectively.”

“While Kahilwayan recognizes the importance of working hand-in-hand with local government units and institutions, we also believe that true collaboration must be rooted in community participation, consultation, and respect for diverse voices,” the group said in a statement.

Read: ‘Pride is a protest and it should always be’ – LGBTQIA+ community

The City Information Office forwarded to the Gender and Development Office Bulatlat’s request for a statement on Monday, June 2, but the office has not replied as of this writing.

Barbie Lindelle Neri, chairperson of the LGBTQ Federation of Cagayan de Oro, expressed support for Kahilwayan. The network clarified that its non-participation does not mean withdrawal from the movement. It serves as a call instead for organizing a Pride Month celebration that is “inclusive, community-led, and unapologetically rooted in justice.”

Together with other LGBTQIA+ organizations, Kahilwayan also organized activities in the city like a symposium that will explain the Safe Spaces Act and discuss the continuing discrimination due to sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).

Before the end of the 19th Congress on June 13, Gabriela Women’s Party pushed for swift plenary actions on priority measures like the passage of the SOGIESC Equality Bill and the proposed amendments to the Safe Spaces Act.

Free HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) testing is also set to be conducted to prevent the rising cases of HIV in the country. In addition, the group organized a dance competition, a pet fashion show, and a competition that will showcase the talents of local drag artists in Mindanao.

Read: A drag queen’s fight for climate justice, healthcare, and inclusion

“Pride is an avenue to confront systemic oppression, highlight community issues, and rally our voices toward genuine inclusion. When the essence of Pride is diluted, we must take a stand,” the group stressed. “Pride is not just a day. It is our everyday struggle. And it belongs to all of us.” (RTS, DAA)