In line with the celebration of pride month, the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC) Bontoc Campus unveiled rainbow-painted stairs located at gates one and two on June 1-2, 2024. The newly painted school stairs showcased the institution’s commitment to fostering safe and inclusive spaces for all.
The Philippines Pride Month is celebrated annually in June to honor the LGBTQ+ community and commemorate the Stonewall riots in New York City in 1969, a significant moment in the global fight for LGBTQI+ rights.
Despite progressive strides in recent years, many LGBTQIA+ individuals still encounter prejudice and bias in various aspects of their lives, from education and employment to healthcare and public spaces. This persistent inequality underscores the urgent need for continued advocacy and policy reforms to ensure equal rights and opportunities for all members of the LGBTQ community.
Recognizing this issue, the painted stairs serve as a reminder that the MPSPC is an inclusive school.
Led by student leaders, ROTC officers, and members of the LGBTQ+ community, the initiative aimed to commemorate Pride Month while advocating for equality and acceptance within the college and the broader community.
Dr. Edgar G. Cue, the college president of MPSPC, expressed his full support for inclusivity, stating, “These stairs will serve as our step towards a more inclusive and empowered MPSPC.”
Through initiatives like this, the college reinforces its commitment to fostering a culture of respect, understanding, and acceptance, ensuring that every member of the community feels valued and supported, regardless of their identity.
Likewise, to eliminate gender biases in higher education, one of the affirmative actions is the implementation of Gender and Development (GAD) programs in MPSPC in partnership with the GAD Accord of the Philippine Higher Education, which provides a framework for mainstreaming the college towards becoming a gender-responsive agency.
Joganda Martin, a student activist advocating for LGBTQ+ rights at MPSPC, shared her sentiments on the significance of the project. “It means a lot to them to be recognized in both the school and the community,” she said.
“Being seen and acknowledged for who they are is such an important step towards creating a more accepting and supportive environment. I am sure we all felt the respect and appreciation,” Martin said.
Jennifer Carretas, a non LGBTQIA+ member of the community and a student of MPSPC majoring in business advertisement, stated that there is nothing wrong in being a member of the LGBTQIA+ as long as we are all aware of what is right or wrong, she added that the painting activity does not bother them and to be honest it looks good to the view.
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