The Supreme Court (SC) joins the country and other nations in the celebration of “Pride Month” this month of June.
After its flag raising ceremony on Monday, June 27, the SC will hold a short program spearheaded by its Committee on Gender Responsiveness in the Judiciary (CGRJ).
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo and Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro Javier, CGRJ chairperson, will deliver their messages to judiciary officials and employees.
The highlight of the program is the signing of the “Wall of Pride.”
Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva said that trial courts in the country are allowed by the SC “to have their own simple ‘pride event’ to celebrate, without much fanfare, self-acceptance, achievements, legal rights, aspirations, and pride of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex, etc. (LGBTQIA+) community.”
“Those interested or concerned may consider having their own simple programs with appropriate messages and expressions of commitment after the flag raising ceremonies in their respective stations. However, such activities should not go beyond 10:00 o’clock in the morning of 27 June 2022 for the courts still have to proceed with their scheduled hearings and official court activities for the rest of the day,” Villanueva said in his circular to trial court judges.
June is “Pride Month” when the “world’s LGBTQIA+ communities come together and celebrate the freedom to be who they are.”
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) had reminded Filipinos not to discriminate against the LGBTQIA+ members because stigma and harassment might exacerbate mental health issues.
“LGBTQIA+ individuals are three times more likely to suffer from mental health conditions such as major depression or generalized anxiety disorder,” it said.
“This Pride Month 2022, we exclaim: LGBQTIA+ rights are human rights,” the CHR declared.
“With our rainbow flags raised high, let’s continue the fight to end discrimination and harassment based on a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression,” it stressed.