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Despite the rain, more than 3,000 participants took part in a Pride Run organized by the Quezon City local government on Saturday.
The run kicked off in Tomas Morato and marked the start of the city's Pride Month celebrations.
Several roads were closed to make way for the event, including parts of Boy Scout Circle, Timog Avenue, Sgt. Esguerra, Eugenio Lopez Drive, Scout Albano, Panay Avenue, Scout Tobias, and Don A. Roces.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte reminded participants that while the run was a celebration, it was also an act of protest.
"We are running for fun, but we are also running for advocacy, so pinapaalala ko lang po sa lahat, adbokasiya po ito, protesta pa rin po ito. We are protesting the status quo," Belmonte said.
"Hanggang ngayon ang status quo ay wala pa ring batas na kumikilala sa kahusayan, kagalingan ng sektor ng LGBTQIA+, wala pa ring batas na kumokondena sa sektor ng LGBTQIA+. We are fighting for equality, we are fighting to have safe spaces, we are fighting for the right to be treated the same as everybody else," she added.
For France Vaño, joining the event was a way to amplify their ongoing advocacy.
"As a transgender in the community, pinaglalaban po natin ang ating karapatan as an LGBTQIA+ advocacy. We are here hindi lang para tumakbo, we're here to fight for our rights and para marinig ang boses ng isa't isa," Vaño said.
Another participant, Ed Ranque, said this was his way of stepping out of his comfort zone.
"For me personally, I'm getting out of my box. Gumagawa ako ng mga bagay ngayong year na hindi ako kumportable, so its also my way of supporting my community para malaman ng iba na may pinaglalaban tayo lalo na 'yung SOGIESC," Ranque said.
Meanwhile, Meng Ronquillo encouraged everyone to join events like this, which support LGBTQIA+ advocacy while also promoting healthy lifestyle.
"We will encourage the people or everyone na sumali sa ganitong project o program, kasi bukod sa we support the advocacy of the LGBT, we also promote health and wellness," Ronquillo said.