GUIGUINTO, Bulacan—Officials and residents in this town on Thursday join the world’s celebration of Pride Month in honor and recognition of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBTQ) and other third sex community members through “Project Bahaghari” participated in by all 14 barangays.
Guiguinto’s Pride Month Project Bahaghari also searched for a “Reyna ng Bahaghari” 2023 competition through a parade of LGBTQ+ representatives from all the 14 barangays wherein twenty two year old Georgette Cruz from Barangay Sta. Rita was crowned the “Reyna ng Bahaghari”.
Mayor Atty. Agatha Paula “Agay” Cruz who conceptualized and initiated the project also turned over a draft of the proposed Gender Fairness, Equality and Development or Anti-Discrimination ordinance to the Sangguniang Bayan members headed by Vice Mayor Banjo Estrella for immediate passage and implementation.
Cruz told media men in an interview that the ordinance will help provide for the social, health and welfare needs of the LGBTQ+ members in Guiguinto including the women and senior sector communities.
Under the ordinance, a yearly one day, “Equality Day” to be known also as “Project Bahaghari” during the last week of June Pride Month will regularly be held to honor and recognize the LGBTQ+ community and to remind the people of Guiguinto of the need to respect the rights of the members of the said sector including of women and children’s.
Cruz said, a corresponding budget is also allotted under the said proposed municipal ordinance.
“The Promotion of equality, fairness respect for all is a universal principle. We join the world in the celebration of the Pride Month. Here in Guiguinto, it is just the start of our advocacy with the aim to eliminate all forms of discrimination and to promote all measures that will protect the value and dignity of our LGBTQ+ community including our senior citizen and the women sectors. We support and promote love and respect to them whatever job they want, clothes they choose,” Cruz said in her speech.
Reylee Marcelino, president of Guiguinto LGBTQ+ sector expressed gratitude to Cruz for initiating the project for the first time in the town.
“The brain behind this project for the first time in our town is Mayor Atty. Agay. We thank her and we hope that this will just be the start of more of these projects in the future. Just like the colors of the rainbow, we will be more joyful, alive and vibrant and more colourful,” he said.
Jaime De Guzman, Bulacan State University (BulSU) LGBTQ+ president expressed elation that the Anti-Discrimination ordinance in Guiguinto emanates from the office of the mayor of Guiguinto.
He hails Guiguinto as the first municipality in Bulacan that has an anti-discrimination rules and guidelines as only the three cities of San Jose del Monte, Malolos and Baliwag have earlier started implementing the said ordinance.
Bulacan Fifth District Representative Ambrosio Cruz Jr. also graced the event.
“Life would be dull if it was purely only black and white colors. There needs to be colourful ones like green, yellow, red, etc. You are these colors. You complete the lives of the Filipino people and the world. You give spice. Ano ang sarap ng adobo kung walang bawang at paminta, ng beef steak. Nagdaddagdag kayo ng lasa. Para ang ating buhay ay sumaya, kayo ang nagpapasaya. You are a special creation of God and you give spice and joy. It is just to create a special day for you” the congressman said.
“LGBT Pride Month” held during the last month of June is dedicated in celebration and commemoration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) and other members of the third sex community.
Rainbow-colored lights on top of the façade of the municipal hall were also lighted to further showcase Guiguinto’s support to the LGBTQ+ community and in defending and respecting their rights.
