LGBTQ community launches photo exhibit for Pride Month

THEY are fighting for their rights, and they do it loud and proud.

A photo exhibit, ‘#HowINEQUALITYLooksLike’ opened in a mall in Cagayan de Oro City on June 20. The photos showcase different members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) community. The photo exhibit will run from June 20 to 30.

Accompanying each photo is a description of the person in it, and the person’s struggle in the face of discrimination, hate, and even violence in Philippine society.

This project is a collaboration of Mujer, an LGBTQ organization based in Zamboanga City, together with Mindanao Pride to call attention to the rampant discrimination towards diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC), and also in line with the celebration of Pride Month.

“Mindanao Pride mao ni sya ang mga leaders, mga youth gikan sa mga ubay-ubay nga orgs in Mindanao, collectively nag create para sa LGBTQ rights,” Salm Kairo Dumanlag, Executive Director of Mindanao Pride. “Nag sugod as online platform, didto mi ga voice out, through publication materials and photo shoots. Karon ga community work na mi, sa mga LGBTQ sa community.”

Here are the stories of those who joined the exhibit’s opening program:

Mik Natindim, dressed as a Ms. Universe candidate, hails from Balingasag and is an event organizer and talent agent. Natindim owns a small online business called Sultry and Co.

“For me, I support this project with Mujer and Mindanao Pride because they are fighting for the rights of every individual, not just for the LGBT but for everyone.” Natindim declared. “We must champion one another to fight and make this SOGIE Bill into law. Kay ang karon nga generation naa gihapon ang discrimination.”

“There is a need to pass the SOGIE Bill because discrimination is still huge in society, especially for queer people.” said Joshua Delos Reyes, project associate, Mujer LGBTQ Organization, Inc. “Join us here in Centrio Ayala Mall for the photo exhibit from June 20 to 30. Know their stories and take action.”

Alice Agocila, a member of the LGBTQ deaf community in the city, is asking for help and support from the organizers so that at least they can help her group and make it a formal organization.

They are also asking for training in health education and about fighting discrimination, being both deaf and LGBTQ. They are seeking equality for their members.

“I want to show people they need to respect the deaf LGBTQ because we are all equal,” Agocila said. “Hopefully people will not discriminate about who I am. And I hope the SOGIE Bill will protect us.”

The interview with Agocila was conducted with the assistance of Marice Gallares, a freelance sign language interpreter, and college deaf interpreter who was present at the event to assist the deaf LGBTQ attendees.