In a concerted effort to champion LGBTQIA+ rights, foster inclusivity, and promote public health, SUMIKOM, a support group for LGBTQIA+ students under the Guidance Services and Wellness Center, spearheaded a series of impactful initiatives during Pride Month. These endeavors spanned educational outreach, artistic expression, and health services, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to advocacy within the academic sphere.
One notable initiative was the launch of “In the Closet: A SUMIKOM Podcast” on June 9, 2025, posted via the canvas course card. This podcast served as a vital platform for discussing personal coming-out narratives, highlighting the contemporary challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, and underscoring the significance of the SOGIESC Bill. The inaugural episode featured Ian Roi, a Behavioral Science student from UC, who shared his journey of identity and self-acceptance, offering inspiration and advocating for marginalized voices. The podcast emphasized the power of storytelling as a form of protest and a means to empower individuals who have experienced societal pressures.
Further enriching the Pride Month celebration, SUMIKOM and the Guidance Services and Wellness Center also organized “Kulay Kalakal: Queer Art Exhibit and Pop-up Pride Palengke”. This month-long event, held from June 2 to 28, 2025 at the Science Building’s second-floor hallway, transformed the space into a vibrant, community-centered market. “Kulay Kalakal” celebrated queer identity through creative and cultural exchange, featuring a swap-style setup for personal items and a queer art exhibit showcasing diverse expressions of gender, identity, and experience through various artistic mediums. There was 162 students who participated in this initiative which fostered an inviting atmosphere that promoted acceptance and celebration within the campus community.
In addition, a three-day Queefilm screening event was held from June 23 to 25, 2025, in the UC Auditorium, as part of the broader movement for representation and advocacy. This event was attended by 52 students which featured films by queer filmmakers from both UC and external institutions, providing a safe space for the queer community to affirm their shared advocacy and unity through cinema. The screenings included a diverse range of films such as “Adal” and “Likaw” from UC filmmakers, and “Baklabinet” and “Pula ang Unang Kulay ng Bahaghari” from non-UC creators. The event culminated in a talkback session with the filmmakers, celebrating their contributions to the movement.
Beyond cultural and artistic endeavors, SUMIKOM, in partnership with Balay Marvi and the Guidance and Counseling Office, also organized a crucial Free HIV Testing event from June 17 to 19, 2025 at PTU Room G303 in which there were 115 students who availed. This initiative aimed to raise HIV awareness, encourage early detection, and provide confidential, accessible testing and counseling services in a judgment-free environment. The testing aligned with Pride Month’s messages of visibility, care, and empowerment for the LGBTQIA+ community, emphasizing the normalization of HIV testing and the reduction of stigma on campus.
SUMIKOM collaborated with the University Student Council for the implementation of the “Pride Month Celebration 2025: Queer Is In – Drag Royale” event, held on June 25 at the UC Gymnasium. This program features fierce drag performances; dazzling looks and an overwhelmingly positive atmosphere of unapologetic queer joy. The event served as a powerful testament to university’s commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and fabulous space for the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies.
