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Rainbow crosswalk opens across Palma Hall in UP Diliman

Published Jun 20, 2022 5:17 pm Updated Jun 20, 2022 8:06 pm

For the University of the Philippines Diliman's longest-existing LGBTQI+ student organization, a rainbow crosswalk on campus is more than just a symbol.

Together with Mondelez Philippines and UP Center for Women's and Gender Studies (CWGS), UP Babaylan opened a rainbow crosswalk across the west wing of Palma Hall on June 20 as part of its call for safer and more inclusive spaces in the university.

UP Babaylan Pride Month co-head Mina Manahan said that this crosswalk would be a symbol of hope for the LGBTQ+ community: "Makapangyarihan ang mga simbolo. Gamitin natin ang mga ito para sa hustisya at kalayaan para sa lahat."

"Ultimately, we hope that this rainbow crosswalk helps in igniting the spirit of Pride in each of us so that we can stand stronger in advancing inclusivity, diversity and equality — so that more spaces that are accepting and safe are created for all of us," the org's Punong Babaylan Anna Cubacub said.

UP CWGS Director Dr. Nathalie Africa-Verceles added that the fight for SOGIESC equality will take more than a crosswalk but it is a "symbolic achievement" to celebrate.

UP Diliman has other taken steps toward SOGIESC equality on campus including allowing transgender and gender non-conforming students to use their lived names, pronouns, and titles in the classroom.