Pride PH announced its removal of local rock band Silent Sanctuary from the roster of performers for the annual Pride March event, Love Laban sa QC, in Quezon City on Friday, June 24, due to allegations of homophobic actions.
The local organizers released their decision on their official social media page to drop the band due to the group’s reported discrimination against a former member who is a part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“Pride PH strongly condemns and strongly stands against any form of discrimination, homophobia, and harassment. We are taking full accountability and apologize for initially including them in the roster of performers,” Pride PH wrote in their statement.
The event organizers stressed, “HOMOPHOBES ARE NEVER WELCOME ON OUR STAGE. THIS IS OUR SAFE SPACE. THIS IS OUR PRIDE.”
On Saturday morning, the band’s former lead vocalist Ian Carandang expressed his concern over the presence of Silent Sanctuary in the list of performers for the Love Laban sa QC, revealing his experience of discrimination from the group.
“Just learned that Silent Sanctuary is playing at QC Pride Night and the fact that when I was their vocalist they told me I needed to go back into the closet if I wanted to keep being their vocalist is extremely offensive to me,” Ian wrote in his Twitter thread.
“I have always stayed quiet on this but THIS is a bridge too far for me that they purport to be pro-LGBT but have never publicly acknowledged or made amends for what they did to me is the last straw,” he said.
The LGBTQIA+ community commended Pride PH and QC Mayor Joy Belmonte for quickly resolving the issue.
“Way to go Mayor Joy Belmonte.. ang galing galing mo po…,” a netizen commented on the announcement.
Meanwhile, Silent Sanctuary responded to the issue, saying they are “saddened with the allegations“ and that they “respect all forms of gender preferences and identity”.
“Being in the performing arts industry, we respect all forms of gender preferences and identity. We have shared the stage, backstage, and dressing rooms with many who represent the Igbtq+ community and had no qualms about it for any matter,” the band explained.
“We were really looking forward to being part of your celebration but judgment has been passed without giving us equal opportunity to defend ourselves. One man’s angle does not paint the whole story of the bigger picture,” they added.
Despite the issue, the group wished the LGBTQIA+ community a successful Pride March.
The apology post, however, did not sit well with the community with some netizens finding more fault in the group’s message.
“But do you acknowledge or deny what happened? Because I don’t think I saw that in your statement,” a netizen questioned.
“@silentsanctuary said gender PREFERENCE in their statement shows how they view the #LGBTQIA community. I did not PREFER to be queer. I did not choose to be queer. I am queer. Red flag itong bandang ito indeed,” another one pointed out.
Silent Sanctuary is composed of six members and was formed in 2001. They are known for classic OPM hits Kundiman, Ikaw Lamang, Sayo and Bumalik Ka Na Sa’kin, among others.
