Despite a sudden downpour, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies marched through the streets of Davao City on June 22, 2026, to celebrate Pride Month. The Duaw Davao Pride Parade saw participation from about 100 organizations, starting at Roxas Avenue, proceeding along C.M. Recto Avenue, Bonifacio Street, J. Camus Street, J. Palma Gil Street, and ending at People's Park.
Parade Route and Participation
The parade, which began at 12:05 pm on Sunday, June 21, 2026, according to the original report, featured participants clad in vibrant colors carrying placards with messages like "Out and Proud," "Authenticity is Liberation," and "Every Identity Matters." The event was a purely walking parade, with contingents discouraged from using vehicles, similar to the 2026 Parada of Araw ng Dabaw.
Local Government Support and Advocacy
Willenito Tormis Jr., head of the City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO), emphasized that Pride is a protest and that the local government fully supports the LGBTQIA+ community. He stated that the LGBTQIA+ coalition is pushing to strengthen the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance, with the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) to be crafted. "I hope that this parade would become an avenue, the perfect avenue for that para masugdan na gyud siya and in a way mas ma-celebrate pa nato ang atoang LGBTQIA+ community sa Davao City," he said in an interview with One Mindanao on June 22, 2026.
Voices from the Parade
Vance Rian Gabriel Tolo of Planet Eagle Family noted the parade's colorful spirit despite a destructive earthquake that had occurred in June. "We stand together stronger and be better sa future as one LGBTQ+ here in Davao City," she said. Rona Alana, a first-time participant not part of the community, described the experience as lively and colorful: "Parang ang colorful talaga! So amazing and worth it, kasi ako I am not part of the community, I really like how fun and makapalipay gyud siya sa heart." Michelle Gray, a tourist from Canada, remarked that despite the heavy rain, the parade continued with high energy.
Historical Context
This was the third time Davao City hosted the Pride Parade. In 2025, the parade had 104 groups, and 98 in 2024. The event demonstrated resilience and solidarity among participants, using the platform to advocate for equal rights for the LGBTQIA+ community.
