CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The newly-created Cagayan de Oro City LGBTQ+ Federation vowed to strengthen its community in the face of discrimination its members continue to experience, stressing that there are still a lot of programs that need to be pursued.
CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Rolando Uy waves a rainbow flag to express his support to the LGBTQ+ community during the city’s Pride Month celebration at the Amphitheater, Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City, on Saturday, June 24. (Photo courtesy of Rod Constantino, Cagayan de Oro City Information Office)
Barbie Neri, first president of the Cagayan de Oro LGBTQ+ Federation, said the creation of the organization is not enough without local laws that would protect the community, saying that the federation should be "indispensable."
"Meaning, we should not just vanish or be defeated by any administration that would lead the city," said Neri during the Pride Month celebration here at the Amphitheater, Divisoria, on Saturday, June 24.
The city, Neri said, should also pass an ordinance that would provide enough budget for the programs and livelihood of the LGBTQ+ community.
"Having an organization is not enough without funding from the local government unit," she said in vernacular.
MEMBERS and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community march in Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City, holding a long rainbow flag in line with the city’s Pride Month celebration on Saturday, June 24. (Photo courtesy of Rod Constantino, Cagayan de Oro City Information Office)
On Aug. 10, 2020, the 19th city council passed City Ordinance No. 13941-2020, also known as the "Cagayan de Oro City Diversity and Equality Ordinance." It aims to eliminate all forms of discrimination, where discriminatory practices as defined in the said law shall be proscribed and penalized.
The city, under the said ordinance, shall also actively and progressively develop and implement programs, projects, and other initiatives to promote diversity and equality.
City Mayor Roland Uy issued Executive Order No. 106-2023 on May 15 creating the Cagayan de Oro City LGBTQ+ Federation to assist in promoting equality and diversity in the city. All of the barangays here were also directed to create their respective LGBTQ organizations.
On June 23, the very first set of officers of the said federation took their oath in front of Uy at the City Mayor’s Office.
Apart from strengthening the community’s protection and programs, the city’s LGBTQ+ federation also assured it will continue its branding as an independent and nonpartisan organization that is free from any political parties.
In his message, Uy vowed to continue his support for the LGBTQ community, and urged the federation president to further strengthen the recognition of those LGBTQ members, especially those who are called Gandang Hari who are already unable to provide their talents because of their ages.
"It’s pitiful to see a Gandang Hari. It’s like a withered leaf, where no one won’t take care of them," Uy said in vernacular, stressing the contributions of those old LGBTQ members in the city during their younger years.
During his incumbency as Carmen village chief, Uy organized three LGBTQ organizations in the said barangay — Gandang Hari, Gays on the Go, and Unique on the Go — to show his support to the community.
Many members and supporters of the LGBTQ community conducted a Pride march also on Saturday from Rodelsa Circle here, going to Kagay-an Bridge and Amphitheater as their final destination for the main program.
Various services have been conducted in line with the celebration, such as HIV testing, free check-ups, scholarship offerings, city vet services, and pet adoption. Several Drag Queens in the city also put laughter on the Kagay-anons’ faces as they showcased their colorful dance performances.
On June 29, there will be a mini job fair at the Amphitheater in relation to the Pride Month celebration.
