In line with the event’s theme, “Sama-sama, Pantay-pantay,” the University of the Philippines Diliman community did not let rainy skies or a global pandemic stop them from celebrating the annual UP Pride week together. The event, which took place on October 26-30, forwarded the call for the LGBTQI community to unite with other marginalized sectors to fight for human rights and equality and urge for stronger anti-discrimination protections within and outside the UP System, such as the SOGIE Equality Bill.
“Nothing can and should stop Pride. Now more than ever, we must stay firm in our fight for human rights and equality,” said Venus Evangelista, Co-Head of UP Pride 2020.
From October 26-29, different online activities were held to educate viewers on different LGBTQI issues within and outside the UP System, culminating in the Equality Rally on October 30, a protest action in UP Diliman featuring LGBTQI advocates, performers and allies.
UP Pride 2020 was officially kicked off with an Opening Program featuring prominent personalities like Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Risa Hontiveros, and Pinoy BL actors like Tony Labrusca and JC Alcantara. Every one had an important message of solidarity to share that is doubly needed during these times. This video may be accessed at this link: https://www.facebook.com/uppride/videos/347440536585444/?vh=e.
Among the events held in the following days were the Equality Talks, with the first one discussing SOGIESC-based discrimination and LGBTQI inclusion UP, and the second once again starting a discourse on the SOGIE Equality Bill and local anti-discrimination ordinances.. Aside from these, UP Pride also included other efforts by organizations, student councils, and offices in UP.
With face masks and bright spirits, the UP community topped off the week with an inspiring showing in the Equality Rally and the subsequent UP Pride Twitter Rally, this year’s alternatives to the Pride March and Program. The Equality Rally was held in the dusk of October 30, under the street lights and rainbow flags at the University Avenue.
UP Pride 2020 wasbrought to you by UP Babaylan, together with Babaylanes, Inc., Lagablab LGBT Network, TLF Share, MapBeks, Voice, Office of Gov. Kaka Bag-ao (Province of Dinagat Islands), Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines, and Office of Senator Risa Hontiveros, co-presented by UP Diliman Office of the Chancellor, UP Diliman Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs (UPD OVCSA), UP Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UP CWGS), UP Office of the Student Regent (UP OSR), UP Diliman Office of Student Projects and Activities (UPD OSPA), UP Diliman University Student Council (UPD USC), UP Diliman Office for Anti-Sexual Harassment (UPD OASH), UP Diliman Gender Office (UP DGO). It’s also brought to you by our major media partners, Inquirer, ASTIG.PH, WhenInManila.com, and DZUP 1602.
For more information, visit the official UP Pride Facebook page. (https://www.facebook.com/uppride/) or Instagram and Twitter accounts (@upprideofficial).
