A year of Philippine LGBTIQ+ milestones

The situation of Philippine LGBTIQ+ community has experienced heartening progress, while still facing challenges.

Roel Hoang Manipon·23 February 2025, 10:33 pm

First of two parts

In 2024, the situation of LGBTIQ+ communities in the world remains to be a complex mix of progress and setbacks. In many Western nations, LGBTQ+ rights have continued to advance, with more countries legalizing same-sex marriage, improving anti-discrimination laws, and increasing representation in politics and media, including the Best Actress win of Spanish actress Karla Sofía Gascón, which was shared together with her co-stars in Emilia Pérez, at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, making history by being the first openly trans actor to win a major prize at the prestigious festival. Additionally, the continuing success of Rupaul’s Drag Race and its international franchise substantially contributed to awareness and the mainstreaming of the queer creative expression of drag.

The Amsterdam Rainbow Dress on display at the TriNoma mall in Quezon City in June 2024.

Furthermore, countries such as Canada, the Netherlands and Spain have reinforced their commitment to equality through inclusive policies and protections for transgender individuals. The United States has seen both progress and challenges, with some states enacting protective laws while others introduce restrictive legislation targeting transgender rights.

Marriage equality has been achieved in several parts of the world such as Estonia, Aruba, Curaçao, Greece, and Thailand, which became the first Southeast Asian country to legally recognize same-sex marriages and the third territory in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, after Taiwan and Nepal.

However, in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe, LGBTIQ+ communities continue to face discrimination, criminalization and violence. Uganda, for example, passed harsh anti-LGBTIQ+ laws in 2023, and other nations maintain or strengthen their restrictions. Russia has expanded its anti-LGBTIQ+ propaganda laws, making it increasingly dangerous for activists and individuals to live openly.

Despite these challenges, global advocacy efforts remain strong. LGBTIQ+ Pride events, social media activism, and legal battles push for equal rights worldwide. The fight for LGBTIQ+ equality continues, highlighting both victories and the need for continued activism.

In the Philippines, LGBTIQ+ situation in 2024 has experienced progress, while still facing challenges. SOGIESC Equality Bill has still not been signed, but ordinances penalizing discrimination based on gender were in development in several towns and cities.

This rundown of notable Philippine LGBTIQ+ events and developments in 2024 is part of my ongoing project of writing a timeline of Philippine LGBTIQ+ history.

18 January 2024: Second season of ‘Drag Den’

Pioneering Filipino drag competition and reality series, Drag Den, aired its second season. Created and directed by Rod Singh, Drag Den 2 premiered on 18 January 2024 on Amazon Prime Video and streamed weekly until 7 March. Manila Luzon returned as host and main judge, with Sassa Gurl and Nicole Cordoves serving as co-judges. Produced by Cornerstone Studios and Project 8 Projects, the second season featured ten contestants competing — Deja, Mrs. Tan, Moi, Feyvah Fatalé, Russia Fox, Margaux, Jean Vilogue, Elvira, Marlyn and Maria Lava. 22-year old queen from Baguio City, Deja emerged as the winner, earning the title of the “Filipino’s Next Drag Supreme,” while Mrs. Tan and Moi were the runners-up.

29 February 2024: Pura Luka Vega arrested again

Drag artist Pura Luka Vega was arrested again by police in Manila on 29 February 2024 for three counts of “immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows.” She was arrested for the same charges in October 2023. Vega received enormous backlash after a video of her drag performance, mimicking an image of Jesus Christ and dancing to a remix of “Ama Namin,” was posted on social media in June 2023. Several places declared her persona non grata and cases filed against her in the biggest public persecution of an LGBTIQ+ person for perceived religious offense in the Philippines.

Artists and fellow drag performers decried the continued persecution. Concerned Artists of the Philippines released a statement on 1 March condemning the repeated arrest.

“This pattern of harassment raises serious concerns for the artistic freedom of individuals within the LGBTQ+ community,” they said. “It is disheartening to witness the persistent efforts to curtail Pura’s artistic expression. The broader implications of these arrests are chilling to our artistic community. These hate-based attacks and weaponization of the law not only undermine the fundamental rights of Pura Luka Vega but also impoverish and disempower the art community at large.”

“We urge authorities to reconsider their actions and uphold the principles of freedom of expression, recognizing the importance of a diversity of expression within the arts sector,” the organization emphasized. “We stand united in demanding the immediate release of Pura and affirming the right of every individual to express themselves creatively without fear of persecution.”

14 June 2024: Launch of Equality Alliance

The Equality Alliance, the broadest coalition of more than 200 LGBTQ+ organizations, private sector representatives, youth groups, religious formations and other allied groups in the Philippines, was launched, led by PANTAY, Lagablab LGBT Network, Bahaghari, Pride PH, LGBT Pilipinas, Inc., and congresswoman Geraldine Roman. This was an effort to further promote and push the SOGIESC Equality Bill and urge the president to certify the bill as urgent.

18 June 2024: ‘Pabuhagay’ in Bohol

The exhibit “Pabuhagay” was mounted from 18 to 29 June at Alta Citta Mall in Tagbilaran City, featuring works by eighteen LGBTIQ+ Boholano artists —Marvin Ablao, Ameril Ampatua, Gil Ctlr, F Jordan Carnice, Thirdy Cuadra, John Oliver, Janelle Jumarito, Yoyo Cabahug, John Dave Aceberos Raña, Jumjum Ouano, Ryard Josh Adorable, Daneel Potot, Clijster Aile Oguis, Giancarlo Accardi, HJ Raneses, Maria Isabel Café, Rezi Pitaya, Inday Noa, and Ren Paragados. This marked the very first time the provincial government of Bohol held an event to celebrate LGBTIQ+ Pride Month in the Central Visayan island province.

22 and 30 June 2024: Biggest LGBTIQ+ Pride event in Asia

Love Laban 2 Everyone: Pride PH Festival and affiliated Pride events in different parts of the country drew a cumulative total of 228,000 attendees, making it the largest Pride event in Asia in terms of attendance. Love Laban 2 Everyone: Pride PH Festival was held on 22 June at the Quezon Memorial Circle, with an estimated crowd size of about 212,000 attendees, but was cut short because of heavy rains. A second Pride event, Love Laban 2 Everyone! Happy Equality: Araw ng Pasasalamat, was held on June 30, drawing about 27,000 attendees. Affiliated Pride events held simultaneously with Love Laban 2 Everyone: Pride PH Festival were Iloilo Pride Pyesta 2024 in Iloilo City, Iloilo, with about 6,000 attendees; Northern Luzon Pride in Baguio City, with about 4,000 attendees; Iligan Pride 2024 in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, with about 1,000 attendees; Catarman Pride in Catarman, Northern Samar, with about 500 attendees; Quirino Pride in the province of Quirino with about 300 attendees; and Magsaysay Pride in Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental, with about 50 attendees. Other affiliated Pride events were Mindanao Pride in Cagayan de Oro City on 30 June, with about 3,000 attendees, and Ladlad Caraga in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, on 29 June, with about 1,000 attendees. Other affiliated Pride events were Mindanao Pride in Cagayan de Oro City, held on 30 June, with about 3,000 attendees, and Ladlad Caraga in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, held on 29 June, with about 1,000 attendees.

22 June 2024: Amsterdam Rainbow Dress arrives in the Philippines

The wearable art installation, the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress, made a stop in the Philippines, a first for Southeast Asia. It was at the Love Laban 2 Everyone: Pride PH Festival on June 22 and was on display at TriNoma on June 25 and 26 in Quezon City. It was worn by Vice Ganda for an art photography shoot. The installation is a dress made of the national flags from countries where being LGBTIQ+ and LGBTIQ+ acts are illegal, punishable by imprisonment, torture or even death. It aims to raise awareness on the global struggle of the marginalized community and to advocate for acceptance and equal rights.

24 June 2024: New television series on queer youth

Marahuyo Project, television series on queer youth, premiered. Produced by Anima Studios, the eight-episode series was created and directed by JP Habac, with Benson Logronio and Juvy Galamiton as main writers. Starring Adrian Lindayag and Neo France Garcia, Marahuyo Project follows a group students as they face challenges in establishing their university’s first LGBTIQ+ organization in a coastal town. The series was released on the Anima Studios’ YouTube channel for free, beginning with two episodes (“Amihan” and “Dios Buhawi”). Episodes 3 (“Sidapa at Bulan”) and 4 (“Santelmo”) were released on 26 June, Episodes 5 (“Hunyango”) and 6 (“Sirena”) on 28 June, and Episodes 7 (“Aswang”) and 8 (“Babaylan”) on 30 June.