Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday rallied Filipinos to work for "genuine equality" for all as the world marks Pride Month.
The month-long celebration is a call to "intensify efforts" to "truly establish an atmosphere of acceptance and genuine equality for all," Robredo said, noting that she is an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community.
"Ang layunin natin: Isang lipunan kung saan lahat nasisilungan, lahat natutulungan, lahat naaaruga, anuman ang kasarian o katayuan sa buhay. Kung saan niyayakap ang LGBTQIA+ bilang kapwa tao who have the same rights and dignity, and that deserve the same love, respect and acceptance as everyone else," she said in a statement.
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While the LGBTQIA+ community has blazed trails, Robredo said several challenges persist ranging from lack of employment opportunities and access to healthcare services, to violence and discrimination.
Celebrated annually in June, Pride Month commemorates the 1969 Stonewall riots in the U.S. which was staged as an uprising against police harassment that LGBT members were commonly subjected to.
The uprising started a movement to achieve acceptance and equal opportunities for the LGBTQIA+ community.
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