A pride march, protest, drag performances, and colorful rainbow runways filled the streets and party venues in Bacolod City as various LGBTQIA+ groups and organizations celebrated the culmination of Pride Month on Saturday, June 29.
Members of the LGBTQIA+ community led by the Negros Pride organization paraded with their colorful attires and placards to protest various issues faced by the country.
The Negros Pride event themed “Deka Deka Duh?! Reliving Queer Joy and Justice” was highlighted by a parade from the Bacolod City Public Plaza to the Provincial Capitol Lagoon.
The theme is a nod to the strengths of queer icons and individuals, movements, and milestones that helped pave the way for the LGBTQIA+ community today, a press release from the organizers said.
During their pride march, they called for wage increases, climate justice, no to jeepney phaseout and charter change, a free Palestine, and the passage of the SOGIE equality bill in the country.
Meanwhile, another group – Burning House 6100 also held “Mariit Mania” at the Benjamin Hall where it featured a “Baby Drag” pageant, rap, runway, music party, and drag performances from Manila and Bacolod based drag artists.
A HIV/AIDS health organization also held their “Bagani Drag Ops”, a runway and lipsync pageantry for the beginning drag artists in Bacolod for the benefit of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) at Lunar Cafe in Lacson Street.
The event was highlighted by the “hero-themed” drag competition where the contestants ramped their creative outfits and lip-synced with various pop and disco songs.
Organizer Czar Real said that apart from the party and drag performances, Bagani Drag Ops, which have been ongoing since last year, is dedicated to also help PLHIV in Bacolod as well as educate people about HIV.
“Pride is an opportunity to protest for the concerning issues of the country as well as advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness not just for the LGBTQIA+ community but for the whole city and Negros Occidental”, he said.*