A private college in Manila staged a series of events for Pride 2021 in a bid to encourage the public to recognize and embrace the wonderful aspects that make LGBTQIA+ community members unique.
Hosted by BHive of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, the first accredited LGBTQIA+ student-organization in the De La Salle Philippines, the Benilde PRIDE 2021 Sari-Saring Sarili: Pagmamasid, Pagmamahal, at Pagdiriwang ng Kanya-kanyang Katangian presented video podcast, webinars, and an online art exhibition.
“Ilahad”, a virtual exhibition of sketches, mixed media, and digital artworks, showcased the talent of promising LGBTQIA+ creatives as they utilized art as a platform to express their individuality, and shed light on the beauty of each person’s distinct characteristic.
A six-part comic series entitled “Kinaiya”, named after the Filipino word for character or the good attributes and complexities that make a person’s identity, shared personal heartwarming stories of the diverse members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Reminiscent of the pre-pandemic coffee dates with friends, a video podcast entitled “Kape Tayo!” provided insightful conversations and friendly debates on the struggles of the LGBTQIA+ amid the ongoing pandemic.
The talk featured BAHAGHARI member and student activist Shein Capila, together with Benilde Hive president and gender and equality head Bryce de Vera, vice president for external affairs and advocacy coordinator Immah Toledana, cultural diversity head Paulette Constantino, and mental health head Camy Caridad.
Marquis Bolima, who champions gender and social justice, likewise recounted the memory of being one of the 20 protesters arrested during the Pride March in Mendiola in June 2020.
The webinar “Bekines” explained the shared terminologies and meanings of the gay lingo and how its culture provides a sense of protection, privacy, identity, and belongingness among members of the community. It likewise covered the historical context of the language, from the so-called Swardspeak in the 1970s to the latest Filipino gay slangs.
The session was facilitated by Vince Liban, the national convener of PANTAY, a youth network that pushes for the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill in Congress.
Benilde’s Pride 2021 event was co-presented by the Austrian Embassy Manila, PUP Kasarianlan, and Bulsu Bahaghari.