The Philippines has made significant strides in the promotion of LGBTQ+ rights over the past few years, with the government and various organizations actively advocating for equal rights and protections for the LGBTQ+ community.
This has led to the rise of several influential LGBTQ+ figures who have made significant contributions to the community’s progress.
Here are the Top 5 Most Influential LGBTQ+ Individuals in The Philippines:
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1 Geraldine Roman
Photo from gmanews.tv
Geraldine Roman is the first openly transgender woman elected to the Philippine Congress. She has been a vocal advocate for the LGBT community and has pushed for the passage of the SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression) Equality Bill, which aims to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.
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2 Vice Ganda
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Born Jose Marie Borja Viceral, Vice Ganda is a comedian, actor, and television host known for his wit, humor, and outspokenness. He is openly gay and has used his platform to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ issues and promote acceptance and tolerance. He has also supported various causes that benefit the LGBTQ+ community, including the promotion of HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.
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3 Ricky Reyes
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Ricky Reyes is a prominent hairstylist and LGBT rights advocate who has been a prominent figure in the Philippine entertainment industry for decades. He is the founder of the Ricky Reyes Learning Institute, which provides free education and training to underprivileged youth, including LGBTQ+ individuals.
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4 Angelina Mead King
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Angelina Mead King is a transgender woman and the CEO of Victoria Court, a chain of hotels in the Philippines. She has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has used her position to promote equality and acceptance in the workplace.
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5 Gretchen Diez
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Gretchen Diez made headlines in 2019 when she was barred from using the women's restroom at a mall in Quezon City, sparking a national conversation about transgender rights in the Philippines. Diez, a transgender woman, took legal action and ultimately won the case, setting a precedent for transgender rights in the country. She has since become an advocate for transgender rights and has spoken out against discrimination and violence against the LGBTQ+ community.
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6 Bemz Benedito
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Bemz Benedito is a transgender rights activist and one of the founding members of the LGBTQ+ political party, Ladlad. She has been a vocal advocate for transgender rights, pushing for the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Bill, which seeks to protect LGBT individuals from discrimination in the workplace, schools, and public spaces. She has also been active in promoting HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in the LGBT community.
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7 Boy Abunda
Photo from Free Thinkers
Boy Abunda is a television host, talent manager, and celebrity publicist who has been a fixture in Philippine entertainment for decades. He is openly gay and has used his platform to speak out about LGBTQ+ issues and promote acceptance and tolerance. He has also been active in promoting HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention and has supported various LGBT causes.
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8 Rica Paras
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Rica Paras is a lesbian rights activist and the founder of the LGBTQ+ organization Rainbow Rights Project. She has been a vocal advocate for LGBT rights and has been involved in various campaigns and initiatives aimed at promoting acceptance and tolerance for the community. She has also been a strong supporter of the anti-discrimination bill called the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) Bill which seeks to provide protection and equal rights to the LGBTQ+ community in the country. She has been active in promoting HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in the LGBTQ community.
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9 Aiza Seguerra
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Aiza Seguerra is a well-known Filipino actress, singer, and songwriter who has been a vocal advocate for the SOGIE Bill. Aiza, who identifies as a lesbian, has been a strong supporter of the bill and has spoken publicly about the discrimination and challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in the Philippines. She has used her platform to raise awareness and promote inclusivity and acceptance for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Aiza's unwavering dedication to this cause has earned her admiration and respect from many people, and she continues to be a prominent voice in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the Philippines.
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10 Mark Bautista
Photo from philnews.ph
Mark Bautista is a well-known Filipino singer, actor, and television personality who has been open about his sexuality as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. In 2018, he released his autobiography "Beyond the Mark," in which he bravely shared his experiences and struggles as a gay man in the entertainment industry. His coming out story was a significant moment in Philippine showbiz, as it sparked conversations about acceptance and equality in the country. Despite facing criticism and discrimination, Bautista continues to inspire others in the LGBTQ+ community to be proud of their identity and to fight for their rights.
These individuals have made significant contributions to the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights and the promotion of acceptance and equality in the Philippines. Their work has helped to raise awareness about sexual orientation and gender identity-related issues, and push for policy changes that benefit the community.