The Caloocan City government on Friday, June 16, launched a series of programs for the members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) community at the Caloocan City People's Park as part of the city's celebration of Pride Month.
According to the city government, the program activities, themed Kulayan ang Kankaloo: Resisting Inequality, Promoting Diversity," include a Pride March, free sexually transmitted disease (STI) screenings, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) discussion, "Talk with Pride,' and Pride Symposium.
A "Pride Market" at the Caloocan City Hall C-Cube Complex will also open from June 19 to June 23.
“Bilang pakikiisa sa pagdiriwang the Pride Month, iniimbitahan po natin ang LGBTQIA+ community na dumalo sa ating programa. Layunin po ng aktibidad na ito na maipadama sa LGBTQIA+ community na kakampi nila ang ating pamahalaang lungsod sa pagsusulong ng isang pantay at nagkakaisang lipunan (In solidarity with the Pride Month celebration, we invite the LGBTQIA+ community to attend our program. The purpose of this activity is to make the LGBTQIA+ community feel that our city government is their ally in promoting an equal and united society),” Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo "Along" Malapitan said.
Malapitan also thanked the City Health Department (CHD) and City Gender and Development Resource and Coordinating Office (CGADRCO) for collaborating in the said events.
He also recognized the importance of the events in showing the local government’s effort to eliminate gender-based violence and discrimination in the city.
“Wala pong puwang ang kahit ano mang karahasan at diskriminasyon sa ating lungsod. Ano pa man ang ating kasarian, lahat po tayo ay pare-parehong Batang Kankaloo (There is no place for violence and discrimination here in our city. We are all residents of the city regardless of our gender),” Malapitan said.