To commemorate LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, youth leaders, student-artists, members and allies of the community marched through the vicinity of the campuses to raise the now-familiar rainbow flags and banners, increase awareness on public acceptance, champion diverse gender identities and expressions, and take a stand towards inclusion.

Themed #BeFree, the initiative was organized by the Office of the Vice President for Lasallian Mission and Student Life of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in partnership with the Center for Inclusive Education, Center for Social Action, Central Student Government, Student Publications Unit, and Music Production Program.

The walk commenced from the Design + Arts Campus following the route to the college’s latest ahead-of-its-times The Atrium, the Angelo King International Center (AKIC) which hosts Hotel Benilde Maison De La Salle, and the foundational Taft Campus.

This served as the conclusion of the Benilde 2023 Pride Celebration, which featured a series of activities, to include a Spirituality and LGBTQIA+ Identity Forum. Speakers included Love Yourself advocate and multimedia practitioner Geno Maglinao, event stylist and parish pastoral worker Kris Heruela, and former Lasallian Ministry Director Thea Quintos. The discussion was facilitated by Campus Minister Xavier Apostol.

Members of the community shared their personal experiences in Benildean Pride Stories, such as Max Soliman from Governance and Public Affairs, Robyn Visco from Diplomacy and International Affairs, Cheese Shrestha from Human Resources Management, and Aio Ecalnea from Multimedia Arts. The roundtable discussion was moderated by The Camillian Fathers Incorporated Head of Social Affairs Department Annie Torres, RSW.

The Manila Social Hygiene Clinic and Treatment Hub offered free HIV testing. The organization is dedicated to sharing information about sexually transmitted infections and offering primary care to newly diagnosed people living with HIV.