MANILA, PHILIPPINES – On a balmy June evening, as Pride Month celebrations reverberated across the country, the residence of British Ambassador Laure Beaufils in Makati City became a beacon of resilience, justice, and empowerment. The occasion: the official launch of Justice with Pride: LGBTQIA+ Community Legal Guidebook in the Philippines—a groundbreaking publication designed to equip LGBTQIA+ individuals and advocates with the tools to assert their rights and access justice in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.




Photos by Andrea G. Zubiri (AGZ Photography) & assisted by Jana Gamin
An initiative of Mujer LGBT+ Organization, the guidebook is the product of a multi-sectoral collaboration with TrustLaw, the Thomson Reuters Foundation, and top law firm SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan, with generous support from the British Embassy Manila. More than just a compendium of legalese, Justice with Pride is a lifeline—an accessible, step-by-step guide designed for those navigating some of the most difficult moments of their lives: discrimination, wrongful arrest, red-tagging, or denial of services.
Bridging Legal Gaps with Community Tools
The guidebook fills a critical gap left by the absence of a national anti-discrimination law in the Philippines. While the country enjoys a reputation as one of Southeast Asia’s more LGBTQIA+-friendly nations, the lived experiences of many LGBTQIA+ Filipinos—particularly in rural or conservative regions—tell a different story.




The publication stands apart for its timely scope, incorporating key updates from recent laws such as the Safe Spaces Act, the Anti-Terrorism Act, and a variety of local Anti-Discrimination Ordinances. It also tackles critical issues like healthcare access, gender-based violence, and red-tagging—an increasingly weaponized tactic against LGBTQIA+ and human rights advocates.
Panel of Changemakers
The launch event was marked by a powerful panel discussion featuring Vice Mayor Dayang Sahali of Panglima Sugala in Tawi-Tawi, the first to pass an anti-discrimination ordinance in Bangsamoro; Toni Gee Fernandez of Mujer LGBT+; Chris Eugenio from the private sector; and Ambassador Beaufils herself.
“Having anti-discrimination ordinances, national laws, or any legal protections is not enough if they remain theoretical or only on paper, ” Vice Mayor Sahali remarked. “These laws mus be accessible, used, and felt by the communities on the ground.”
This, she noted, is where the guidebook becomes a transformative tool—bridging the gap between legislation and lived reality.
Toni Gee Fernandez, in his remarks, did not shy away from naming the brutal truths faced by LGBTQIA+ Filipinos: “Hate crimes, gender-based violence, unlawful arrest, red-tagging, and even denial of basic services such as healthcare, education, and employment remain part of our daily lived experiences. Too often, when we seek help from authorities, we are met with further prejudice, inaction, or even secondary victimization.”
Fernandez emphasized that access to justice is not only a right—it is a form of empowerment: “Without access to justice, we risk being silenced, invisibilized, and left behind. ”
Art Meets Advocacy
Adding a poignant note to the evening, the guidebook’s cover features an original PRIDE-themed painting by the late Justin Nuyda, a revered figure in Philippine contemporary art. His daughter, Ayni Nuyda of Search Mindscape, presented a limited digital copy of the artwork to Ambassador Beaufils in a symbolic passing of the torch from one generation of visionaries to another.



The guidebook offers clear, actionable guidance on navigating the country’s complex legal system.Through its pro bono legal network, TrustLaw worked closely with Mujer LGBT+ to ensure the guidebook is not only legally accurate but also community-responsive.
A Call to Protect the Protectors
“This guidebook is about more than knowing your rights,” said the Mujer LGBT+ team. “It’s about protecting the protectors—the brave advocates, defenders, and community leaders. So they may continue doing their work and stand up for equality and justice. ’’
Justice with Pride is now available for free download through the TrustLaw website and will soon be printed and distributed to LGBTQIA+ civil society organizations nationwide. As the sun sets on another Pride Month, this guidebook offers something far more enduring than rainbow flags or parades: a tangible step toward justice, dignity, and empowerment for a community that has long had to fight for every inch of legal recognition.
Because justice, after all, is not just a right—it is a pride we must all defend.