National Museum of the Philippines lit up in rainbow colours to celebrate Pride Month

The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) has been lit up in rainbow colours to celebrate Pride Month.

NMP shared on its social media pages photos of the lit-up facade of the National Museum of Fine Arts, basking in the colours of the rainbow.

“The National Museum of the Philippines is one with the LGBTQIA+ community in celebrating Pride Month,” the museum said.

According to NMP, the rainbow lights in the National Museum of Fine Arts will stay for the rest of June, while the other museums in the complex are decked with Pride and Progress Flags to signify “allyship and support.”

“We at the NMP remain steadfast in making our spaces safe, open, and inclusive,” it added.

In the Philippines, LGBTQ+ individuals experience both progress and persistent challenges in their fight for human rights. While there are some local ordinances against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (SOGIESC), a national anti-discrimination law has yet to be enacted.

Human Rights Watch has reported that only a small percentage of Filipinos live in areas with such protections. Despite this, some progress has been made, including an anti-bullying law that includes SOGIESC and ongoing efforts to pass civil union bills.