Walk with "Pride"

Got this set of reminders from Jonas, and I'm just too "happy" to oblige…

Tomorrow’s the big day. Please don’t forget the following:

• Bring your Lola’s colorful, vibrant, and humungous umbrellas. A little trivia – one of the reasons why the Pride March was moved from June to December is to avoid the rainy season (the main reason is that we want it to be part of the December commemoration of the human rights week). But it never fails to rain during our parade, so if you’re not really after that wet look, bring umbrellas. 

• Bring your friends, LGBT or not. The march is an inclusive expression of diversity and solidarity. The more, the many-er, the happier! Don’t forget to register, and ask for assistance should you wish to take part in a contingent. There will be marshals during the parade to assist you. 

• Make sure that you would feel comfortable during the march. Check the route of the March [see above]. Wear comfortable clothes. While it is your choice to wear high heels, please remember that a true beauty queen understands that the price of beauty is poverty and a little suffering. As for your hairdo, consider a friend’s motto: the higher the hair, the closer to God.

• The media will be there. While we need their help to convey our message to a broader audience, please remember that journalists have the obligation to practice ethical coverage of our event. If you don’t wish to be interviewed, SAY NO.  Ask the assistance of the marshals to bring them to the designated spokespersons for the parade. If they ask you to kiss your partner but you feel you don't want to, then DON'T DO IT! It's your prerogative. Use your better judgment!

• There will be a cultural program after the Pride March. We have performances for you, from poetry reading to drag shows. There are also post-parade activities: A Pride Mass organized by the Metropolitan Community Church Philippines on December 9, 2007 at 5 PM. Club Government is also organizing the official post-parade party on December 15, 2007. The Ms. U! Bowling Pageant, which is regularly organized by TLF Share Collective (and its non-profit partner, the Bowlibining Pilipinas Charities), will take place on December 16, 2007. More details at www.pridemanila.wordpress.com/events.

See you there: LGBT PRIDE MARCH 2007, Saturday, 08 December 2007. Registration begins at 03.00PM, Rajah Sulayman Park, Malate, Manila. Post-Parade Program begins at 06.00PM. 

And "sponsor credits" — This event is organized and jointly presented by Task Force Pride (TFP) and EZ Lubricating Jelly, with the support of Frenzy Condoms, Wise Inc., Radar Pride Wear and Palawan 2. EZ Lubricating Jelly — water based, provides feeling of natural lubricating, condom-friendly. Frenzy Condoms — the fun starts with the choosing. Both now available at Watson's, Ministop, 7 Eleven and leading drugstores nationwide. TFP, the official organizers of the LGBT Pride March in Manila, Philippines, includes Akbayan, Ang Ladlad, Lesbian Advocates Philippines, Metropolitan Community Church Manila, Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines, TLF SHARE Collective, UP Babaylan, Womyn Supporting Womyn Center, and other LGBT and LGBT-friendly individuals.