A lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advocate said that having a pageant for transgender women as one of the new activities in this year’s Araw ng Dabaw proves that the LGBT community can have an impact to the society.
Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) commissioner Norman Baloro said that the Reyna Dabawenya, a pageant for transgender women, will not be a typical “Miss Gay” contest as the event will center on advocacies and awareness on the issues that the LGBT is currently facing.
“Definitely there will be no swimsuit, as we are in sync with the Women’s Development Code,” Baloro said in a phone interview.
He said he believes that the local pageant is a stepping stone towards social acceptance in the community.
Prior to the announcement of the pageant, Baloro cited the efforts of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in pushing for the transgender pageant during the LGBT Ball last December.
“We did not expect this, to be honest,” Baloro added, “This is a celebration of equality and recognition that the LGBT must be grateful.”
The advocate said that he hopes that Davao City’s strong support to the LGBT should set as a role model to other cities in the country.
The announcement for the screening of the Reyna Dabawenya was made by City Tourism Operations Officer (CTOO) Generose Tecson on Thursday. It is one of the new events to debut in the Araw ng Dabaw alongside Ginoo ng Dabaw, a pageant for men. The coronation date for the said pageant is yet to be announced.
Davao City will commemorate the 82nd founding anniversary through “Araw ng Dabaw” on March 16.
