A year of Philippine LGBTIQ+ milestones

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

Roel Hoang Manipon·2 March 2025, 10:25 pm

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. 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 is the second part of the rundown of notable Philippine LGBTIQ+ events and developments in 2024, which is part of my ongoing project of writing a timeline of Philippine LGBTIQ+ history. (Read the first part at https://tinyurl.com/3fsanhe3)

Boxer Hergie Bacyadan became the first transgender Filipino to compete at the Olympics.
Photograph courtesy of IG/Hergie Bacyadan

31 July 2024: The first out transgender Filipino to compete at the Olympics

Twenty-nine-year-old Kalinga boxer Hergie Bacyadan is the first out transgender Filipino to compete at the Olympics. Despite being a transgender man, he competed in the women’s 75-kilogram division on his Olympic debut in Paris. He and American runner Nikki Hiltz are the first trans persons to compete at the Olympics.

August 2024: First telehealth app to cater to LGBTIQ+ patients

KonsultaMD became the first telehealth app in the Philippines to offer Inclusive Care feature for LGBTIQ+ persons, promising safe space with doctors trained in SOGIESC, gender sensitivity, motivational counseling and understanding and addressing specific health needs of the community. The program was in partnership with the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the USAID’s Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control Project.

7 August 2024: Third season of ‘Drag Race Philippines’

The third season of Drag Race Philippines premiered on 7 August. Produced by World of Wonder, this season of the Philippine version of the hugely popular RuPaul’s Drag Race aired on HBO Go in Philippines and on WOW Presents Plus internationally. It featured 11 contestants — Maxie, Khianna, Angel, Tita Baby, Zymba Ding, Myx Chanel, Popstar Bench, John Fedellaga, J Quinn, Yudipota and Versex. During the finale on 9 October, Maxie was declared the winner, while Khianna was the runner-up. Versex was named Miss Congeniality.

25 October 2024: Third Bahaghari Awards

Third Bahaghari Awards, organized by the Philippine Financial and Inter-Industry Pride (PFIP), recognized several individuals, companies and groups for their contributions to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belongingness in the workplace at the awarding ceremony in Taguig City. Vice Ganda, IloIlo City Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs, Quezon City’s Right to Care Card Team (Quezon City Gender and Development Council and MullenLowe TREYNA) were hailed as Bahaghari Champions. Also honored were EnGendeRights (Pride Advocacy of the Year), Vice Ganda (PFIP’s Choice for LGBTQ+ Role Model of the Year), senator Risa Hontiveros (PFIP’s Choice for Ally of the Year), Accenture in the Philippines (Company of the Year), IBM EAGLE ASEAN and Korea Business Resource Group (Pride Network of the Year), Coy Macaspac-Ordonez of Northern Trust (Executive Ally of the Year), and Tere Claudio of Sun Life Global Solutions (LGBTQ+ Leader of the Year).

29 November 2024: Updating of dress code policy in government offices

The Civil Service Commission has officially updated its dress code, allowing government employees to dress in accordance to their gender identity and expression. The progressive development aligns with PFIP’s LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the Workplace Playbook, which highlights the importance of gender-inclusive dress codes in creating safe, supportive spaces. This policy applies to all government offices, local units, and state universities.

3 December 2024: Fifth Ripple Awards

The fifth Ripple Awards honored three advocates — Marvi Rebueno-Trudeau, who received the Global Advocate Award, “for her outstanding work in the Philippines that gained global attention and sharpen focus on innovative testing methods and combination prevention;” Ian Felix Alquiros, who received the Advocate of the Year Award, for making “significant strides in the HIV/AIDS advocacy landscape, transcending arts to amplify the cause and many more;” and Toni Gee Fernandez, who received the Community Advocate Award, for demonstrating “exceptional dedication to communities, building safe spaces for PLHIVs, LGBTQIA+, and Mindanaoans, inspiring more communities to do the same.” The awarding ceremony was held during Love Gala: Eternal Elegance — A Night of Timeless Love, a charity event in observance of World AIDS Day, on 3 December 2024 in Taguig City.

Organized by LoveYourself PH, an organization focused on HIV/AIDS awareness and LGBTIQ+ health, the Ripple Awards recognize individuals “whose unwavering commitment and exceptional contributions have significantly advanced the HIV/AIDS advocacy.”