Task Force Pride (TFP) Philippines, the official convener of the annual community – driven Metro Manila Pride March officially launched the 2014 Metro Manila Pride Season with the Pride Press Party last October 11, 2014 at Boho Sarapsody Bistro in Cubao, QC.
“The launch coincides with National Coming Out Day.” said Jade Tamboon , Logistics Head of TFP, “
As a civil awareness day that recognizes the bravery of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the face of the hardships of their everyday lives, we think it is only fitting that Metro Manila Pride comes out today in solidarity and in support of these brave people and those who love them.”
This year‘s theme, “Come Out For Love kasi Pag-ibig Pa Rin,” puts a different spin on the 20th anniversary of this annual event. Says Red Macalalad, Partnerships Head of TFP, “Pride is a platform for LGBT people to come out and freely celebrate their lives. This year, as we commemorate two decades of the Metro Manila Pride March, we are not only honoring the leaders whose passion started and sustained this advocacy , we are also declaring the entire Metro Manila Pride Season a loving and safe space for our heterosexual friends and allies to come out and support us .”
To do this, TFP designed a 3-month long Metro Manila Pride season with activities built around the theme. The first of which is an online photo campaign dubbed #ComeutForLove. An interactive and person-centric campaign, it aims to gather stories of support, acceptance, and bravery both from the non-LGBT sector as well as from members of the LGBT community. Photos of allies and members of the LGBT community can be found on Metro Manila Pride’s official Facebook page or at www.metromanilapride.com .
“In addition to the online campaign, other activities lined up for the 3-month long 2014 Metro Manila Pride Season are: the “#ComeOutForLove Exhibit”, the “All Families Day”, the “Pride Speaks”, the “Solidarity Soiree”, and the “Pride Fest Street Fair”. All of which leads up the main events, the annual Metro Manila Pride March and the official Pride Party on December 6, 2014 in Malate, Manila.” Says Tao Aves, Communications Head of TFP.
Aside from members of the LGBT community, the Pride Press Party was attended by various celebrities who shared their support for the 2014 Metro Manila Pride Season. Liza Dino, thespian, mom, ex-beauty queen, and fiancée of singer -songwriter Aiza Seguerra shared her appreciation and support for the #ComeOutForLove campaign. “The reason why I’m here is I’m coming out for love. Love comes in so many forms and springs from different reasons. For LGBT people, the #ComeOutForLove campaign helps them love and live their lives freely.”
“I was there when the Pride March in the Philippines all began, ” shares media personality Danton Remoto. “I believe in the campaign and we will be here to support you on the 20th anniversary of the Pride March,”
Also in attendance were talk show host, Jobert Sucaldito, and Michael Pangilinan, an avowed straight ally of the LGBT community and singer of the LGBT themed Himig Handog 2014 entry “Pare, Mahal Mo Raw Ako.”
Following the Pride Press Party was the Arts Night which featured a Strap -On Sex Workshop hosted by PJ Gurnamal, musical performances from Leo & the Tolstoys, BP Valenzuela, and spoken word performances by Abbi Orbeta and Slac Cayamanda of Words Anonymous and Elfermin Mallari of Bakliterati.
The leadership of TFP is united in their message for this year’s Metro Manila Pride Season: “We ask people to join this year’s 20th Anniversary celebration of the Metro Manila Pride March. Together, let’s all come out and support the freedom to love, the right to love, and the people we love. Because when it comes down to it, Pride is all about love.”
For more information about the 2014 Metro Manila Pride Season, visit www.metromanilapride.com, email them at [email protected] , like their page at www.facebook.com/metromanilapride, or follow their Twitter account at www.twitter.com/MMPride_.
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Task Force Pride (TFP) Philippines is the official convener of the annual community -driven Metro Manila Pride season. For the past 20 years, this volunteer-managed, non-partisan, and not – for – profit network of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) groups, individuals, and allies has been working on promoting positive visibility for the LGBT community to advance the LGBT human rights advocacy in the Philippines.