A TOTAL of 104 organizations took part in this year’s Pride March in Davao City, which paraded from Roxas Avenue to San Pedro Square, according to the City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO).
CTOO officer-in-charge Jennifer Romero said in a June 22 interview that the number of participants grew from 98 groups in 2024, highlighting the increasing support for the city’s LGBTQIA+ community.
“This is giving a platform to our LGBTQIA community that they will feel that they are part of Davao City, and of course, Davao City being an inclusive city, so this is the platform that we would be giving,” Romero said.
The city’s streets came alive with vibrant colors, as rainbow flags, themed floats, marching bands, drag queens, and the newly crowned Reyna ng Dabaw 2025 and her court brought energy and joy to the celebration.
Romero noted that the CTOO coordinated closely with participating groups ahead of the event, limiting the number of members per group to ensure a manageable and organized parade. She also observed a significant rise in spectators this year and said their office is already looking ahead to next year’s celebration.
Along the parade route, a religious group stood on the sidelines sharing messages from the Bible. While some participants ignored them, others responded with chants, cheers, or songs. Romero acknowledged their presence and emphasized that the city respects everyone's right to express their beliefs.
Romero emphasized that the city’s role is simply to provide a platform for the LGBTQIA+ community to be seen and heard. She shared that she had expected the presence of a religious group during the march but noted that they chose not to intervene, respecting everyone’s right to free expression.
Compared to last year, there appeared to be fewer placards advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights. While messages like “SOGIE Equality Now” and “Resist Hate, Embrace Pride” were still visible, more assertive slogans seen in 2024—such as “Legalize Civil Unions” and “You Can’t Pray Away the Gay in Me,” were less prominent.
Meanwhile, Angel Sumagaysay, head of the Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO), said around 2,000 safety and security personnel were deployed in the area. He confirmed that the event proceeded smoothly with no untoward incidents reported. RGP