The streets of Manila were filled with vibrant colors during the Manila Summer Pride 2026 held on April 25, 2026, where the annual parade was attended by members of the LGBTQ+ community, allies, and local officials to show support for equality, self-expression, and inclusivity.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reaffirmed on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, the government's commitment to equality and inclusion for all, stating that no Filipino should feel invisible because of who they are, how they identify themselves, or whom they love.
In his message for the celebration of Pride Month, Marcos emphasized the right of LGBTQIA+ community members to equal treatment under the law and recognition as contributors to national development.
"As we celebrate Pride Month, the government reaffirms a principle that must never waver: every Filipino is entitled to equal protection, equal opportunity, and equal respect under the law," the president said.
He said that inclusion should not be limited to words but must also be reflected in public policies, institutions, and daily practices.
"Let this observance send a clear message: no Filipino should ever be made to feel invisible in the country they help build. No one should ever be forced to conceal who they are in order to earn acceptance and understanding," Marcos said.
The President also recognized the contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community to Philippine society through leadership, public service, and various professions.
"The LGBTQIA+ Community has long helped shape our country's progress through its talent, service, and leadership. To overlook these contributions is to deny an essential part of the Filipino story," he said.
Marcos said that Pride Month serves as a reminder of the struggles and sacrifices of generations of advocates who fought for broader recognition, safety, and equality.
"This observance honors the courage of those who refused to be excluded or denied their rightful place in society," he added.
Although the Philippines is known as one of the more LGBTQIA+-friendly countries in Asia, advocates continue to push for the passage of an anti-discrimination law and stronger legal protections against discrimination.
Marcos called on Filipinos to continue moving forward together with "compassion, respect, and courage."
"I wish everyone a meaningful and inspiring Pride Month celebration. Mabuhay ang LGBTQIA+ Community," Marcos said.
Celebrated every June, Pride Month honors the Stonewall Riots worldwide—a rebellion against police abuse and discrimination in June 1969 that sparked the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.
In the Philippines, the celebration also serves as a local protest for equal rights, visibility, and the passage of the long-awaited SOGIE Equality Bill.
It features major community-led festivals, notably the Metro Manila Pride March and the Pride PH Festival.
