UP Pride is the annual Pride celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies in the University of the Philippines System. It was first held in 2008 in UP Diliman as an avenue to elevate the voices and concerns of the LGBTQI people within and beyond the university and was eventually institutionalized as an official UP Diliman event in 2016. Pursuing inclusivity even further, UP Pride commenced as a system-wide event in its historic first in 2021. Now, all constituent universities and campuses within the UP System partake in the celebration of one united UP Pride.
This year’s UP Pride will be held from October 3 to 28, 2022 with the theme “Itutuloy, Itatagumpay” to encapsulate pride’s role in their movement. It signifies their commitment to their fight, struggle, and journey no matter how heightened the challenges are. It also aims to effect victory in all forms such as the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill and dismantle exclusionary and discriminatory systems that breed hate crimes and oppression against the LGBTQIA+ community.
Here are some of the 2022 UP Pride Events to look forward to:
1. UP Pride Opening and Exhibit
a. UP Pride Opening:
UP Pride Opening brought the movement into a louder and more progressive action as it highlighted speakers from the LGBTQI community and allies who have contributed to forwarding human rights and equality in our society. The speakers talked about their efforts and support in lobbying for LGBTQI rights, the successes of their efforts, and the importance of institutional protection of a national anti-discrimination bill in line with this year’s theme “Itutuloy, Itatagumpay”. UP Pride Opening happened on October 3, 2022 9:45AM in Quezon Hall together with the opening of the University for Equality: Photo Exhibit.
Watch the UP Pride Opening below:
https://www.facebook.com/uppride/videos/669571324528533
b. University for Equality: Photo Exhibit
Part of the roster of events for UP Pride 2022 is an exhibit entitled “University for Equality: Photo Exhibit.” The exhibit aims to feature students, personnel and staff from the whole UP System. The exhibit aims to promote the ideal university we want to champion and to proactively campaign for the urgent passage and implementation of a systemwide UP SOGIESC Policy. The exhibit will be month-long, located at the Quezon Hall, UP Diliman from October 3 to 28.
18 persons from different campuses of University of the Philippines answered these prompts:
- What for you is an inclusive and safe university?
- As a member of the community, what actions do you think educational institutions should take in order to build a safer and more inclusive community?
- As an Isko/personnel, I believe that UP should be a champion of _____, and I believe this can be achieved through _________
2. Equality Talk Workshop Series
The UP Pride Team, in partnership with Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride (PFIP), will conduct three hybrid seminars that will discuss the lived experiences of queer members, how to conduct one’s self in workplaces, and championing in lobbying pieces of legislation. This will happen from October 12-21, 2022.
3. UP Pride Film Festival
UPFF aims to provide an avenue for filmmakers who wish to express and explore themes about gender and sexuality. UPPFF aims to become a quintessential affair for young artists especially those from the UP System as they hope to support filmmakers who are either members or allies of the LGBTQI+ community, as they bear tales worthy of being seen and heard
The UP Pride Film Festival 2022 (UPFF) will be available both online and on-ground. The films that will be featured will be selected from a pool of films submitted through a public call for entries for LGBT films. UP Pride Film Fest will happen on October 17-26, 2022.
4. Pride March and Queen of Pride
As the group celebrates UP Pride 2022, they must also celebrate their identities through pageantry. Showcasing a pageant like this will highlight the importance of being involved in the community and in advocacy. The pageant will not only promote empowerment but it will also urge people to bring social change as they will be given the chance to speak and promote equality, inclusivity, and acceptance— a great way to cap off the celebration of UP Pride. The Queen of Pride is open to all UP students from all campuses, and all identities and expressions. This coronation night will happen after the Pride March on October 28, 2022.
For more updates on UP Pride 2022 events, check out their social media pages, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Putting the ‘B’ in LGBTQIA+: What it means to be bisexual in the Philippines
The ‘A’ in LGBTQIA+: Understanding asexuality and aromanticism from the aroaces
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10 local organizations that foster safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community
A quick dive into the history of the LGBTQIA+ community in the Philippines
