For one night in Malate, white is the color of gender equality

Walking along the streets of Orosa and Nakpil in Malate, once the center of Manila’s night life, is always an empowering experience for anyone who defies convention. There are pink bars, glitters, drag queens, closet gays, and a vibrant community that strives for gender equality.   For one night in June, Metro Manila’s gays converge in this colorful district to celebrate Pride month, in a place where differences and similarities are both welcome. And that’s just what happened last Saturday, June 30, for the 11th Annual White Party.   Almost 8,000 people from the Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transsexuals (LGBT), or even simply gays at heart, shelled out P150 or P500 each for tickets to the street party that lasted all night until seven the next morning.   “It's the culmination of Pride Month. And it’s white because it is equality. Walang bahid.” said John Bryan Diamante, Managing Director of White Party, in an interview with GMA News. Held all over the world, the White Party is a venue for the LGBT community to air their sentiments about gender inequality, sexual orientation, identity, and discrimination. The Philippine celebration is especially poignant, coming on the heels of controversial comments from an ex-beauty queen regarding transsexuals who join beauty contests, and a world boxing champion’s rejection of gay marriage, Bryan says.   Fortunately for Pinoy gays, they don’t have to fear a backlash after the celebration, compared to other countries where gay bashing is the norm, he adds.   As expected, many party-goers dressed to showcase their identity. Some wore extravagant costumes in white with jeweled embellishments. Some had wings, while others concealed their faces in heavy make-up and strutted around in drag heels.   “It is an avenue of expression... of gender identity and to show who they are,” said Raffy Aquino, National Treasurer of Ladlad Partylist.   For some participants, the event was all about acceptance. According to Bryan, there were closet gays – or those who are not open about their sexual orientation – who are normally not visible in the gay scene but found a place where they belonged at the party. Speakers from the Ladlad partylist and Metropolitan Community Church Quezon City Inc. discussed serious concerns regarding equality and social awareness, while entertainer John ‘Sweet’ Lapus delivered a speech about the need to respect gays and not treat them as minorities.   Three DJs took charge of the music and kept the party going when the gates were opened at 9 PM. There were games from several event sponsors, and drinking and dancing all night long in the spirit of fun and freedom. - Mac Macapendeg/YA, GMA News