Vice President Sara Duterte has called on Filipinos to uphold the rights and dignity of the LGBTQ+ community as the country observes Pride Month, describing their courage to live truthfully as a challenge for society to embrace authenticity and inclusion.
In a video message released Monday, Duterte said safeguarding the rights of vulnerable sectors, including LGBTQ+ individuals, is a reflection of the country’s democratic principles.
“To all Filipinos—our democratic principles demand that we protect our most vulnerable. When we safeguard LGBT rights, we reinforce the foundations upon which all our freedoms rest,” she stated.
Recognizing the struggles faced by many in the LGBTQ+ community, the Vice President pointed to issues such as discrimination in the workplace, limited access to healthcare, and mental health concerns. Pride, she said, should serve as a reminder of the healing power of shared humanity and the strength found in diversity.
“Pride reminds us that our shared humanity has the power to heal these wounds. It stands as living proof that our diversity is not a weakness to overcome, but a wellspring of resilience and creativity,” Duterte said.
She expressed hope for a future where diversity is not just acknowledged, but embraced as an essential part of the country’s identity, adding: “Where human dignity needs no justification, where the courage to face adversity is honored as the highest expression of Filipino resilience.”
In 2023, Duterte said she supported laws that would legally protect partnerships between LGBTQ+ individuals, although she clarified that her support did not specifically include same-sex marriage.
