‘Pride and Prejudice’ in Bacnotan: One Town’s Journey Toward True Acceptance

There’s something magical about a small town that chooses love. On June 29, Bacnotan in La Union sparkled with color, courage, and a chorus of voices shouting, “We belong.” I saw it with my own eyes, and let me tell you, there was pride, there was prejudice, but mostly, there was hope. Around 200 members of the LGBTQIA+ community, along with private sector supporters, turned out for the town’s Pride Parade, a celebration of identity, inclusion, and the simple right to be seen for who you arehttps://pia.gov.ph/la-union-town-promotes-love-inclusion-identity/.

Rainbows in the Ricefields

The theme for this year, “Pride and Prejudice: A Journey Toward Acceptance and Inclusivity”, couldn’t have been more fitting. It wasn’t just a parade; it was a journey. The municipal grounds transformed into a stage for love, with queer folks and allies marching together under the sweltering La Union sun. Nine contestants dazzled in a costume competition, each outfit a riot of color, each strut a declaration: “I am here. I am free.”

MJ Bocboc, one of the event’s shining stars, put it perfectly: “Pride is the only day of the year when our brothers and sisters can truly be themselves and be seen the way they want.” Anyone who’s ever had to hide a part of themselves will feel those words, deep in their soul.

More Than a March

Mayor Divina C. Fontanilla made it clear that this wasn’t just a one-day party. “Let us not treat Pride Month as a mere commemorative event but as a catalyst for lasting change,” she said. For Bacnotan, Pride has become a promise, to listen with empathy, to learn with open minds, and to build a town that’s compassionate, humane, and just for all.

But talk is cheap. The real magic? Bacnotan’s Pride Ordinance. This landmark law institutionalizes inclusive programs, offers livelihood opportunities, protects the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals, and supports the formation of LGBTQIA+ organizations right here in the municipality. Not every town in the Philippines, heck, not every city, can say that.

A Home for Everyone

Sitting under a tent, watching families, teens, and old-timers laugh together, I thought about what acceptance really means. It’s not just about waving a rainbow flag. It’s about jobs, healthcare, safety, and the chance to live without fear. Bacnotan is making that possible, one ordinance, one parade, one conversation at a time.

The LGBTQIA+ community here knows that struggles aren’t over, but for a day, and now, for a future, they felt valued. And isn’t that what Pride is all about? Being seen, being heard, and knowing you’re not alone.

Let’s Keep the Love Going

So, to Bacnotan: thank you for showing us the way. To every queer soul out there: your story matters, your joy matters, and your fight matters. And to anyone reading this: the best way to honor Pride is to keep fighting for a world that truly accepts all its children, rainbows, flaws, and all.

Share your own Pride stories in the comments below! How does your community celebrate love and inclusion? Let’s keep the conversation going.