Pride Month shines in its most truthful forms. It’s a protest, an expression of freedom, an unshakable proclamation of love, and a celebration of acceptance and identities that goes beyond the month of June.
Photos: Vice Ganda, Esnyr Ranollo, Klarisse de Guzman/Instagram
The essence of pride also beams through people. Through the years, countless advocates, community leaders, artists, and historical figures have fought for the LGBTQIA+ community’s rights to be seen, respected, and understood. Today, as the fight continues, there’s no doubt that the community’s future is bright with these prominent and proudly queer Filipino change-makers in entertainment and pop culture.
Vice Ganda
Photo: Vice Ganda/Instagram
If we’re talking about lasting impact, Vice Ganda is the name on everyone’s mouths. A long-standing comedian, host, singer, and actor—what can’t she do? Besides her unprecedented contributions to the entertainment scene, Meme Vice doesn’t forget to impart insightful lessons and takeaways on pressing issues in the world, as well as inspire the people around her to do the same. It’s always fulfilling to witness queer people from all generations grow up with a public figure like Vice Ganda, who has stood up for and with the community through the adversities of showbiz.
Paolo Ballesteros
Photo: Paolo Ballesteros/Instagram
Paolo Ballesteros has charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent in spades. Also known as “Mawma Pao,” he has become a mainstay in the drag community as the host of “Drag Race Philippines.” A mentor and adviser to the show’s contestants, Mawma Pao has been motivating and cheering on drag artists nationwide, even outside the show. As a true blue entertainer and designer himself, he calls on “Drag Race PH” fans to keep supporting their local queens and uplift drag as an inclusive art form and livelihood in any way they can. He and the queens also encourage the community to brush up on their “herstory” and honor the generational performers who opened doors for drag to thrive up to now, such as the Golden Gays and Paper Dolls.
Samantha Lee
Photo: Samantha Lee/Instagram
If you’re even slightly interested in local queer movies, then you must’ve heard of Samantha Lee at least once in your lives. Do the titles “Billie and Emma,” “Baka Bukas,” and “Rookie” ring a bell? As the headstrong mind behind these sapphic films, Lee has her heart set on fostering safe and all-accepting spaces and conversations for queer women through her work. As a storyteller, producer, and creative at heart, Lee’s works and characters remind us that, no matter how we grew up, representation has always mattered among platforms of shared experiences and artistic freedom.
Klarisse de Guzman
Photo: Klarisse de Guzman/Instagram
She’s Klarisse to the OPM industry, “Soul Diva” and “Ate Klang” to the “Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition” fandom, and a modern-day mother figure to the queer community. The “Wala Na Talaga” singer and “The Voice” alumna joined “PBB” with wisdom, laughs, and guidance in tow for her housemates. She quickly cemented her status as a role model among fans, and we soon got to know her in a braver, more inspirational light when she came out as bisexual on the show in April. She penned a heartfelt song to LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples that same week: “‘Di ka depektibo, iba man ay manibago. Baliko o tuwid, ‘yan ang mundo, at walang mali sa ‘yo.” Amid doubts and prejudice, de Guzman’s story holds true to the community’s affirmation that there’s a corner of the world out there that will love and cherish us, flaws and all.
Esnyr Ranollo
Photo: Esnyr Ranollo/Instagram
From one “PBB Celebrity Collab” housemate to another, the whole Internet has undoubtedly found a best friend in Esnyr since his TikTok days. Staying true to his moniker on the show, the “Son-sational Viral Beshie” from Davao del Sur stood at the starting line with nothing but his phone, costumes, makeup, remarkable acting chops, and a dream. What started as wholesome, nostalgic, and delightfully relatable skits grew into social media smash hits, propelling Esnyr to stardom. He soon took his comedic shorts to YouTube and transformed them into our new favorite high school series—not to mention, an ultimate gathering of his fellow content creators and pop culture icons. From his humble beginnings to landing his first big-screen role, and his colorful “PBB” journey, Esnyr’s sacrifices and perseverance for himself and his family have undeniably paid off.
Sassa Gurl
Photo: Sassa Gurl/Instagram
Our “Mhiema” Sassa Gurl may bring her jokes and unhinged energy everywhere, but she knows her platform from the back of her head. The content creator, vlogger, and recording artist, who starred in “Balota” with Esnyr, always makes it a point to enlighten her followers on the country’s political state and current events. She’s always understood how to make a meaningful and timely statement, and fiercely, at that.
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Who’s your favorite queer Filipino icon? Tell us in the comments!
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