VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur, Jan. 22 (PIA) - The LGBTQ community here expressed their gratitude to the public through the LGBTQ Day and Night, providing them whole day of joy and entertainment.

LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) in the city spearheaded the "Alay Gupit" in the morning and the Dancesports Third World Competition in the evening of January 17.

City Events, Promotions and Protocol Officer (CEPPO) Edred Piamonte said, "During the celebration of Vigan Longganisa Festival every January, the LGBTQ community in Vigan, which is spearheaded by its LGBTQ Pride Council, in partnership with the city government, wanted to show their gratitude for the support they have been receiving in all of their activities and programs."

Through the "Alay Gupit," barbers from the LGBTQ community provided free haircut to the residents.

Children, tricycle drivers, vendors, government employees, and students benefited from this activity.

"We are not only promoting but we are doing something to make them realize that the LGBTQ community is existing or with us in the city and they are not only here for beautification and aesthetics but they are here for participation and cooperation with the city as one of our partners in nation-building," Piamonte added.

Meanwhile, Biguenos enjoyed the Dancesports Competition participated by seven dance couples from different parts of the country which contended in five various dance musical genre competitions such as rumba, cha-cha-cha, samba, pasodoble and jive.

Other than the entertainment values given by the LGBTQ community during festivities, Piamonte said, "The city government is including them in gender sensitivity activities and they are also included in the city's Gender and Development Committee and we are also very lucky that we have LGBTQ Pride Council also headed by the officials of the city hall." (JCR/AMB/JMCQ/PIA Ilocos Sur)