The Metro Manila Pride March 2018 was recently held in Marikina City, Philippines last June 30 this year. I am very hesitant to post the pictures out here because I am not sure if the Steem community accepts the LGBTQ+.

![image](https://img.esteem.ws/djskgr8qnj.jpg)

The Metro Manila Pride March is special aside from being the largest and oldest demonstration in Southeast Asia, this year's Pride March event has a record breaking 25000 participants (source: www.rappler.com). It nearly tripled the numbers from 2017 participants. Also good to note that straight people also attended the event. It is not that the 25 000 participants are only members of the LGBTQ+ community but also comprised of straight people that have accepted and supported the community.

![image](https://img.esteem.ws/gi615iq29i.jpg) ![image](https://img.esteem.ws/r4fllobunw.jpg)

The purpose of this event is to create a safe space for the LGBTQ+ - ACCEPTANCE not TOLERANCE. It is about letting the masses know that lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders and queers are humans too and need to be respected and accepted as such. That they too have the equal rights to love and be loved as straight people do. That they too have the right to receive same health benefits as straight people do. Events like this empower the communitites to start creating pro-LGBTQ+ policies and advocate social justice for all.

![image](https://img.esteem.ws/6w52kq8vti.jpg) ![image](https://img.esteem.ws/wqhzspkz1h.jpg)

The Metro Manila Pride March is not what you think it is like what you see in other countries or movies - lustful gay people marching in the streets with no clothes on, nude, showing their boobs, butts and genitals. NO! It is not and it will never be in MMPM.

![image](https://img.esteem.ws/ejqe7xk0z1.jpg) The Metro Manila Pride March was a peaceful, sensible and conservative celebration. Celebrating freedom where you can show who you really are, meeting new friends, extending love to those who are afraid. Okay enough of the description. I'm just gonna show you in the pictures that life is beautiful in many colors than just black and white. All photos are mine using sony a6000. ![image](https://img.esteem.ws/7g4eombeec.jpg) ![image](https://img.esteem.ws/1fzcvrofxo.jpg) ![image](https://img.esteem.ws/pz8s4e2udv.jpg) ![image](https://img.esteem.ws/9sg2bc4xcf.jpg) ![image](https://img.esteem.ws/d0za0jl5hi.jpg) Please check my flickr album for more photos: https://www.flickr.com/gp/155377456@N08/22N4T7 THANK YOU.