Rainbow crosswalk opens across Palma Hall in UP Diliman
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.
Catch us across the west wing of Palma Hall as we open the Rainbow Crosswalk in UP! 🏳️🌈
— UP Babaylan 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ #SOGIEEqualityNow (@upbabaylan) June 20, 2022
Join us as we call for safer and more inclusive spaces in the university! Program starts 10 AM. RT this for live updates. ❤️#Pride2022#LumalabanLumiliwanagLumiliyab#SOGIEEqualityNOW pic.twitter.com/4VkLtw7o3Z
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.
The rainbow crosswalk in UP Diliman has been formally opened. 🌈
— UP Babaylan 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ #SOGIEEqualityNow (@upbabaylan) June 20, 2022
You may visit it across the west wing of Palma Hall. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ Happy Pride! pic.twitter.com/ID4ZwrXKlc
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.
