Philippines: LGBTQ activists plan to hold pride events nationwide through June 30

LGBTQ activists plan to stage marches and other commemorative events across the Philippines June 22-30 to mark Pride Month. Events typically occur near major thoroughfares, public squares, and shopping malls in downtown areas of major cities, including Bacolod, Dipolod, Pagadian, and Zamboanga. The largest events will likely occur in Metro Manila, where previous related events attracted at least 110,000 participants in Quezon City; other rallies are likely to draw a few hundred to a thousand participants.

Details of notable planned events are as follows:

• Quezon City: Participants will gather at Amphitheatre and Circle of Fun at 13:00 June 22 before marching around Quezon Memorial Circle 15:00-18:00; activists from motorcyclist clubs will ride from Quezon Memorial Circle to Rampa Drag Club 06:00-07:00 June 30

• Baguio City: Participants will gather at Burnham Park 07:00 June 22 for a run and rally along Session Road 09:00-10:00 June 22

While the events are likely to pass off peacefully, minor isolated skirmishes are possible at larger gatherings. Police will likely deploy to monitor and facilitate well-attended events. Officials will likely impose security cordons and traffic diversions and reroute or curtail public transport serving the areas near large planned gatherings. Road closures could lead to increased congestion and traffic delays on alternative routes. Localized traffic disruptions are also likely as participants enter and leave the venue of large rallies.