CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Preparation are in full swing for the first ever Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) parade to be held on June 8 at the City downtown where participants are don in colourful costumes, organizers announced Monday.
Dubbed as Rainbow Parade Pride March (Mardi Gras), LGBT members as young as eight to ten-year old will be participating in the event in their best outfits.
“Communities of young members of LGBT have signified interest to join in the parade, of course, with the consent of their parents,” said Andy Ocampo, one of the organizers of LGBT June Pride, a celebration of LGBT members.
Ocampo said young gays with a population of more than 20 in Sta. Lucia and San Pedro and elementary graders are actively participating in various LGBT activities.
The ‘Mardi Gras’ is just one of the activities being lined-up for the LGBT June Pride event dubbed as “Magkakaiba, Magkakaisa.”
City of San Fernando mayor Edwin Santiago acknowledged the importance of LGBT community in the society and as catalyst in nation building.
“We acknowledged members of LGBT in our society and empowered them in the same manner that we empowered the women.”
Santiago, who led the opening of LGBT June Pride activities, said the city government have lined-up activities such as training and seminars including livelihood for members of LGBT in City of San Fernando.
Other activities include Event Management Training (June 11-28); Tribute to Male Employees slated (June 19); Handog ng LGBT sa mga Fernandino “Libreng Pagpapapogi” (June 19); Seminar, Orientation on LGBT discrimination in the community and Learning institutions (June 23) and Cultural nights and graduation rites for Event Management Training (June 29).