DAVAO CITY – Almost 8,000 members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) community here marched during the Pride Parade of the first-ever Duaw Dabaw Festival from Roxas Ave. to Rizal Park at San Pedro Square here on Sunday, June 23.
Harold Quibete, Pride Parade organizer, said that the event featured 111 LGBTQIA+ groups, seven bands, and seven floats and witnessed by 15,000 to 20,000 people.
Quibete thanked the participants, the people, the city government, for supporting the event.
He thanked the city councilors and Vice President Sara Z. Duterte for gracing the event.
“We are happy that they were present, and it is a nice way of showing that the government is opening its doors, that the LGBTQIA+ community is accepted and valued here in Davao City," Quibete said.
Duterte said that Pride Month serves as a reminder of the power of love against hatred, discrimination, and the lack of respect for the LGBT community, which historically has been subjected to ridicule, oppression, and unequal life opportunities.
Quibete said the overall security during the pride event was generally peaceful.
He added that people enjoyed the performance of the drag performers in the Hugyaw Davao: Night of Fun and Colors at Rizal Park.