MANILA, Philippines – Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro announced the passage of the city's anti-discrimination ordinance during the 2019 Metro Manila Pride March on Saturday, June 29.
"Bilang pagpapakita ng aming suporta, sa araw na ito ay aking pipirmahan at ipapatupad ang anti-discrimination ordinance na nagbibigay sa lahat ng pantay at parehong karapatan sa trabaho, edukasyon, tirahan, at mga serbisyo ng pamahalaan," Teodoro said during the event held in Marikina City.
(In a show of support [for the LGBTQ+ community], today I will sign and enforce the anti-discrimination ordinance that will give everyone equal rights for employment, education, housing, and other government services.)
Organizers of Saturday's event put the number of attendees at a record-breaking 70,000. Members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies brought colorful rainbow flags and balloons, brightening the otherwise gloomy, rainy day.
With the theme #ResistTogether, the event highlighted Pride as a protest, rooted in the 1969 Stonewall riots – a series of demonstrations against a police crackdown on a well-known gay bar in New York City. (IN PHOTOS: #ResistTogether at 2019 Metro Manila Pride March)
Teodoro has been very vocal in his support for the LGBTQ+ community since Marikina City hosted its own Pride event in 2017.
"We want to be known as an inclusive community. We can only do that by recognizing everybody as all equal to each other," said the mayor.
The anti-discrimination ordinance or Marikina City Ordinance No. 065 was passed to promote social justice and to provide equal rights and protection, especially for the LGBTQ+ community.
Under the ordinance, violators may be penalized with imprisonment of 60 days to one year and/or a fine ranging from P1,000 to P5,000.
The ordinance also prescribes the creation of an Anti-Discrimination Council which will be composed of the mayor, key city officials, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
On June 24, Marikina City also lit up its Cityhood Park monument in colors of the rainbow as a show of solidarity for the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month.
On its official website, the city issued a manifesto of support, recognizing the valuable contributions of the LGBTQ+ community.
Established in 1994, the annual Metro Manila Pride March was first held at the Rizal Park and hosted by the city of Manila until 2017 when Marikina took over.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has committed to hosting the event again by 2020. (READ: Isko Moreno: Expect Manila Pride March and Festival 2020) – with reports from Nomi Imbang/Rappler.com