QC Barangays to create LGBT Council

Photo by: www.mrgayworldphilippines.com 

THE local government of Quezon City has ordered its 142 barangays to create their own “pride” council as part of the city’s comprehensive implementation of antidiscrimination policies and programs on the basis of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (Sogie).

“We are now adopting a resolution creating in all 142 barangays the Barangay Pride Council. The 142 barangays are mandated to create their Barangay Pride Council,” Mayor Herbert Bautista said during the Quezon City Pride Council meeting early this week, adding an ordinance was already enacted in 2014, but not all barangays have enacted their respective councils.

“The Quezon City Pride Council [QCPC] chaired by Mayor Herbert Bautista was created in support of the city’s Gender and Development [GAD] plans and programs with the aim of integrating and synchronizing projects and programs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender [LGBT] community in the city and to ensure its effective implementation,” a separate statement said.

Bautista signed a memorandum directing all of the city’s punong barangays to form their Barangay Pride Council, and set August 31 as the deadline.

“We also mandate through the QC Pride Council that the 142 barangays adapt the Barangay Pride Council programs and integrate them with the funding source in their GAD barangay budget,” Bautista said.

At present, Barangays Apolonio Samson and Old Balara are the only barangays in Quezon City that have established a pride council.  City Ordinance 2357-2014, also known as the Quezon City Gender-Fair Ordinance, recognizes the social, economic, cultural and political potential that will allow people with diverse Sogie to achieve full participation in development and in the exercise of their human rights.

The QCPC also adapted the annual activities of the LGBT community for this year, the Pink Festival on November and the Pride March on December.

Meanwhile, the QC council also has passed a resolution congratulating John Fernandez Respado, a resident of New Manila, for winning the Mr. Gay World 2017 title on May 10 in Madrid, Spain.

Raspado is the first Filipino and Southeast Asian to win the title. He also received special awards in the pageant, including Best in Swimwear, Best in Formal Wear, Mr. Gay World Closed Door Interview, Mr. Online Vote and Mr. Social Media.

Mr. Gay World is an annual contest for gay men seeking to establish ambassadors for the LGBTs and human rights.

Aside from being the Mr. Gay World titleholder, Raspado is also a Self-Worth Ambassador for the advocacy group LoveYourself Inc. that offers free and confidential HIV testing and treatment, counselling and peer education and initiates programs and projects toward HIV/ AIDS awareness. (BusinessMirror)

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