First rainbow pedestrian lane in Cebu, Asia pays respects to LGBT community

A city in Cebu province is paying tribute to the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community with a rainbow pedestrian lane, the first of its kind in Asia.

 

On Thursday morning, authorities painted the rainbow pedestrian lane in Barangay Subangdako in Mandaue City, GMA Cebu's Nikko Sereno reported Friday.

 

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes led the painting of the lane, which the report said is the first not only in the Philippines but also in Asia.

 

The lane aims to advance the advocacy of gender sensitivity and respect for the LGBT community.

 

"Programa ito na nagpapakita na ang ating lungsod ay gender-sensitive," Cortes said.

 

Barangay Subangdaku captain Ernie Manatad added the road is "symbolic," so the government will be "more conscious about the gender issues."

Twitter user @yoriestorm tweeted some photos of the brightly colored lane in Mandaue City.

Mga Kapuso very proud to present to you the first in Asia...The rainbow pedestrian lane in… http://t.co/DGwFTzqw8a

— yoriestorm (@yoriestorm) January 22, 2015

Meanwhile, Ashley Cortes, president of the Kaabag sa mga Kabayutan sa Subangdaku - a local LGBT group - said the lane shows they are not sticking to the "zebra-white and black."

 

"Art is a very powerful medium. It has changed society in the course of history. Marami nang nabago sa society because of art, including child labor," added artist AG Saño. — Joel Locsin/VC, GMA News