June is Pride Month, a month-long celebration dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Several events were lined up around Metro Manila to mark the occasion.
There's the Pelikulaya film festival running until June 30, 2023, and hosted by independent cinemas like Cinema '76 and UP Film Institute’s Cine Adarna/Videotheque, and streaming site JuanFlix (The FDCP Channel).
The recently concluded Virgin Labfest 18: Hitik staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez included a play titled "Regine: The Fairy Gaymother" that touches on the internal struggles of a closeted young man.
READ Pride PH Festival, Pelikulaya, other activities to celebrate LGBT Pride 2023
There's also the One Night Only concert featuring drag queens Marina Summers and Viñas Deluxe on June 29, at the Teatrino Promenade.
Over the weekend, a pair of marches were organized, the Tayo ang Kulayaan! Samot-saring Lakas, Sama-sama sa Landas! in Circuit Makati, and LoveLaban at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.
READ Andrea Brillantes graces LGBTQ event; dazzles in Pride-inspired outfit
A Pride Ride was organized to accommodate motorists wanting to participate in the festivities.
Celebrities also joined in on the fun, using their star power to help communicate the message of equality, acceptance, and a prejudice-free society.
Here are some of the stars who took to the streets to express solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community.
Gabbi Garcia showed up with her father, Vince Pena Lopez, on a motorcycle.
The Unbreak My Heart star posted on Instagram a photo of them holding Pride flags.
Before the event, Gabbi said her father asked, "Gab, may Pride flag ka ba?"
She replied, "For what?"
Her father answered, "May Pride Ride tomorrow. Do you want to join, angkas kita? Let’s show some support."
The Kapuso actress thanked her dad for "stepping up and making a difference."
Also present at the Pride Ride were actress Klea Pineda and her motorcycle enthusiast girlfriend, Katrice Kierulf.
Klea came out as a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community on March 19, which was was also her 24th birthday.
The Kapuso actress also did a photo shoot to mark her first Pride Month celebration.
Kapamilya star Andrea Brillantes graced the LoveLaban event in style.
The Drag You and Me star showed up in an outfit bearing the colors of the Pride flag.
Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee joined the celebration in Quezon City, riding the float of a ride-hailing app and mingling with the crowd.
Beside Michelle in the float was actress-TV host KaladKaren.
Michelle came out as bisexual in an interview with Mega Entertainment in May.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, dubbed in the LGBTQIA+ community as the "fairy godmother," was also present during the parade.
The lawmaker has been pushing tirelessly for the passage of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression Equality Bill (SOGIE Bill) designed to stop discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.
Read: Anne Curtis reiterates support for SOGIE Bill
Read: Jake Zyrus points out the problem he sees in SOGIE Equality Bill
The bill, if successfully passed in the Senate, can help protect the rights and welfare of the LGBTQIA+ community.
"We know that LOVE always wins. Kaya kapit lang, mga mahal. Ilalaban at ilalaban natin ang #SOGIEEqualityBill! And with all the hope & love we’ve got, WE WILL WIN!" Risa wrote on Instagram.