The local government of Quezon City announced on Thursday, May 30, that it will conduct special graduation rites for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQIA+) students who were previously barred from marching due to dress code restrictions.

The initiative, dubbed as “Graduation Rights: March with Pride in QC,” will be held on June 22, as part of the city’s 85th anniversary celebrations.
The special ceremony aims to honor the rights of students to graduate and march according to their own presentation. It is open to:
- Members of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Individuals 18 years old and above
- Residents of Quezon City or graduates from a school located in Quezon City
- Individuals who were unable to march according to their gender and desired self-expression during their Senior High School or College graduation
Interested LGBTQIA+ students can register at bit.ly/GraduationRightsRegistration or scan the QR code.

The registration will be open until June 7.
According to the city’s public information office, in Quezon City, graduation rites are everyone’s right, regardless of their expression.
“Pero sa Quezon City, may karapatan kang ipagpahayag ang iyong katotohanan, may karapatan ka ano man ang iyong Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and gender Expression (SOGIE) (But in Quezon City, you have the right to express your truth, you have the right whatever your SOGIE may be),” it said.
The city government said the initiative was made in response to instances where students were prohibited from marching in their graduation ceremonies due to dress code restrictions, despite the Department of Education’s Gender Responsive Basic Education Policy (DO 32, Series of 2017).
The policy ensures that principles of gender equality, equity, sensitivity, non-discrimination, and human rights are integrated into basic education, including the right to participate in graduation rites with dignity and respect for gender identity.