By TONYO CRUZ 

Thousands are set to gather in Marikina City today, June 29, for Metro Manila Pride March. They will march under the theme “Resist Together.” The theme is a remembrance and a tribute to the Stonewall Uprising 50 years ago which heralded a new, bolder, and more fabulous phase for the struggle for equal rights for LGBTs everywhere.

Here at home, LGBTs have been demanding the enactment of the Anti-Discrimination Bill into law, while a growing number of LGBTs and allies raise their voices for marriage equality.  The Stonewall Uprising and the subsequent advances in the cause of LGBTs inspire many to do everything in their power to aspire for a fairer and more equal Philippines.

It is not an impossible dream. History is replete with lessons of people clamoring for and winning civil rights.

For instance: When women started to reach for the ballot in 1907, many also said it was impossible. But in 1937, women won the right to suffrage after lots of organizing, campaigning, and winning the debate for universal suffrage. Filipino women in fact became among the world’s first to win the right to vote.

For instance: It was only in 1966 that African-Americans won their full rights to vote. Interracial marriages were frowned upon until the 1960s and even the early 1970s. But Americans have soon moved on, figuring that nobody should dictate on individuals who to love based on the color of their skin.

Nobody thought in 1994 when Filipinos staged the country’s first-ever Pride March that 25 years later, there would be more than 25 countries recognizing marriage equality. But that has happened, with neighboring Taiwan among the latest to do so.

Pride Marches have since been staged in many parts of the country. There are municipalities and cities adopting anti-discrimination resolutions because they found out that a fairer place makes for a safer and more prosperous people. LGBTs can now be found in most, if not all, fields of endeavor, contributing their best to country and people.

In territories and guerrilla zones of the Communist Party of the Philippines, the provisional revolutionary government has been solemnizing same-sex marriages since 1995.

The churches too are changing. Pope Francis opened doors and minds when he answered “Who am I to judge?” after he was asked about LGBTs seeking holiness and care in the Catholic Church.  The United Church of Christ in the Philippines and the Iglesia Filipino Independiente have also since declared themselves welcoming and affirming to LGBTs because God’s love is total and open to all. The Metropolitan Community Churches in Quezon City, Baguio, and Marikina continue to preach the Good News that God loves everyone, including LGBTs.

Of course, there are many and more powerful forces of discrimination and inequality, and they occupy positions of power in institutions and structures. The DNA of these institutions and structures do not know, respect, and recognize different sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions. Worse, they shun and dehumanize those LGBTs, and consign them to second-class status whether as citizens or as believers.

The slogan “Resist Together” is thus important. United and collective action is necessary to win reforms within those homophobic institutions and structures. Reforms cannot be won by the organizations and movements alone. Neither can allies. Because if that’s the case, there would be an Anti-Discrimination Law by now.

In most, if not all, civil rights struggles around the world, collective action was key, be they in referendums, lawmaking, court actions, and other means by which LGBTs scored victories. They did not stop at wishing for better and equal treatment; they fought for it long and hard until they won.

Perhaps one key to propelling the LGBT struggle forward is for LGBTs to confront the homophobia, transphobia, matapobre, classist, misogynist and patriarchal attitudes and beliefs that infect many.  The struggle is weakened — not strengthened — by LGBTs ignoring and discriminating against the “baklang kanal,” by elevating the masculine and looking down on the feminine, by body shaming both the thin and the fat and others. Massive and continuous education on SOGIE would repair the damage caused by these wrong values that come from the dominant culture.

If you’re an LGBT, join an LGBT organization. Or you could organize one yourself together with like-minded friends. If you’re already involved in an organization, volunteer more hours or days for LGBT causes. If you’re in an organization that is open to LGBTs, propose the setting up of an LGBT Desk and the adoption of resolutions declaring your organization welcoming and affirming of LGBTs. If your organization professes belief in democracy and freedom, ask your organization to stand solidly for fairness and equality.  Taken together and if they work more closely together, these organizations comprise a powerful movement that could promote and win changes in schools, offices, communities, neighborhoods, businesses, and government.

Strong, big and vibrant LGBT organizations could also attract more allies, and lead to higher levels of political action. For instance, a stronger LGBT movement could help LGBTs finally win partylist representation, or even Members of Congress and the Senate. Apart from the Anti-Discrimination Bill, LGBTs could also help formulate an Anti-Hate Crime Law and proposals on civil partnership and on marriage equality.

Resist together, come together, win together.

 (You’re invited: All Filipinos for equality and fairness, straight or LGBT, are welcome to attend the Metro Manila Pride March today June 29, 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm at the Marikina Sports Center.)