I would not be surprised if today’s Pride PH Festival 2025 dubbed “Love Laban sa Diliman” would smash attendance records for Pride events in the Philippines and in Asia.

Unlike last year, when the gates of the Quezon Memorial Circle had to be closed due to crowd overflow (with an estimated 212,000 at peak), we could be certain that the spacious University of the Philippines campus can easily accommodate more than a hundred thousand people.

There are reasons to celebrate. For one, the city of San Juan has approved a resolution adopting the Right to Care Card for the city’s LGBT couples. Quezon City blazed the trail for this health proxy measure. We hope other cities would do the right thing and make this available to more couples.

There are also newly-elected and reelected LGBTs and allies in Congress and local governments.

There are reasons as well to protest.

Family and friends of Ali Macalintal, Kierra Apostol, Shalani Dolina, Ren Tampus and other slain transgender persons demand justice.

Maybe, just maybe, the anti-discrimination bill would finally be passed by Congress and enacted into law. It has been 25 years this year since Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago first introduced such bill in the Senate.

Ricky Reyes and Renee Salud have recently drawn ire for promoting contrary positions. While the disappointment and anger of many younger LGBTs and allies is totally understandable, the statements of Reyes and Salud provide an opportunity to continue discussions, address myths, and share real life stories especially from those who are not fortunate enough to be wealthy and privileged as to be shielded from the worst forms of discrimination and violence. This is an excellent visual aid for rediscovering the intersection of class and gender.

Perhaps Reyes and Salud could be invited to see and address the plight of the so-called “Golden Gays,” the mostly workingclass gay men who are now living together precariously in their senior years. The icons could themselves think and do something, if they want to. It is one beautiful way for them to express their solidarity, and for them to learn a thing or two about how it is to live and age as a poor gay person in this country.

The last thing we would like to see is for the anti-LGBT forces to win over Reyes and Salud to their fold. The cause of equality and fairness would always be better, more beautiful and more inclusive. I also believe the people behind pride movements have hearts and causes big enough to find possible areas of agreement, even as outdated and toxic ideas are contested and debated.

Earlier this month, a Reddit post got passed on rather widely for capturing what’s really the meaning of anti-discrimination, SOGIE and pride.

The post told about the story of a non-straight couple and how one of them was denied access to his partner while in the hospital. The family knew about their loving relationship, and did not think much about discrimination until they witnessed it right before their very eyes. They could go visit the hospital room anytime and make decisions, but not the partner. Absolutely not the partner.

There are other such stories. Like graduates denied their place in the graduation ceremonies for being different, or of kids beaten up for picking the “wrong” toy or getting suspended for getting the “wrong haircut” or wearing the “wrong uniform.” Or couples denied the opportunity to adopt children “just because.” The more fortunate have the means to migrate to other countries that prohibit discrimination or grant equal rights – but this cannot possibly be the solution for everyone.

As thousands join today’s pride marches and festivals in Diliman and elsewhere, we project a vision of a more inclusive and more prosperous society right here in the country they call their own. We are betting on the Philippines taking bold leaps for equality and inclusion, to unleash the full potential of discriminated and excluded persons. We want a future where we don’t need to flee to be free.

The opposite is more of the same discrimination, death, and decay. Who would be proud of that and fight for that?

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Dedicated to Allan Tolosa, Fr. Richard Mickley, Ferdie Mendoza, Myke Sotero, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, and other pioneers, trailblazers, allies, and friends who have passed on.