Queer Filipino Creatives on Expressing Love with Pride

Ask queer people about how it’s like to express their love for their significant other in public, and you’ll get a spectrum of responses. 

It is true that love in all its forms is getting more widely accepted and celebrated. More and more people are becoming allies, the Pride marches are bigger and bolder, more shows online and on television showcase queer love and its complexities, and more brave individuals are speaking out to advance the causes of the queer community. 

However, it is also true that more work needs to be done. Many queer individuals acknowledge that, outside safe spaces and communities, their love is still often met with resistance. They also recognize that many people still do not know how to express their love (and themselves) well. Yet, they believe that every day is an opportunity to fight for love that is free and inclusive.  

To explore how it’s like for the queer community in Manila to love, PURVEYR gathered several queer creatives from the metro to talk about expressing their feelings and showcasing their love to the world.

The diverse responses are reflective of the Philippines’ acceptance of LGBTQIA+ individuals, which is relatively high compared to the country’s regional neighbors. A recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center revealed that 73% of Filipinos think that the queer community should be accepted by society. 

Meanwhile, an SWS survey reveals how complex the issue is—while majority of Filipinos believe in passing a law that should protect the LGBTQIA+ community, many have reservations over concepts like transgender people using the restrooms aligned with their SOGIE or same-sex marriage.

However, challenging as these conversations are regarding LGBTQIA+ rights, the queer community continues to fight the uphill battle and stand for what is right and fair, including the freedom to love anybody and express that affection without any inhibitions. 

This conversation runs in line with Cornetto’s latest release—Cornetto Pride, a strawberry-yogurt ice cream topped with colorful cereal balls, strawberry sauce, and ending in a crunchy choco tip. The limited-edition offering is available in leading groceries, supermarkets and convenience stores. 

Through this product, Cornetto takes a stand with the LGBTQIA+ community and encourages individuals to express their love freely, or with the delectable flavors of Cornetto Pride. The brand is also joining this year’s Pride March and donating funds to LGBTQIA+ student organizations nationwide to help advance several Pride advocacies in campuses across the country. 

Through the following insights from the featured creatives and Cornetto’s limited offering for June, PURVEYR encourages those who want to take that first step to just go for it and confidently express their love.