12 Filipinos you need to know this Pride Month

Clockwise from top left: Dr. Boy Abunda, Undersecretary Gina Ortiz Jones, Mayor Todd Gloria, Prof. Kevin Nadal, White House Senior Advisor Jason Tengco and Mayor Ty Penserga. CONTRIBUTED

NEW YORK CITY—As we celebrate Pride Month this June, it’s important to recognize the achievements and contributions of prominent members of the LGBTQ+ Filipino community.

From activists and performers to politicians and advocates, these individuals have made significant strides in promoting equality, representation and diversity. 

Though there are hundreds more who have made a difference, this column highlights 12 of the most prominent Filipino LGBTQ+ members. Let’s shine a light on these inspiring Filipinos.

1. BOY ABUNDA—Known as the “King of Talk,” Dr. Abunda is an iconic Filipino television host, professor and talent manager. As an openly gay celebrity, he has used his platform “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” on GMA Pinoy TV to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility in the media, among other causes. He flies to New York annually to emcee the TOFA, an annual awards event honoring Filipino American achievers since 2011.

2. GINA ORTIZ JONES—Hon. Jones is a trailblazing Filipina American politician and former US Air Force intelligence officer. She made history as the first openly gay Filipina appointed by President Biden as the undersecretary of the U.S. Air Force. After nearly two years in the role, she has overseen nearly 700,000 military and civilian personnel across the Air Force and Space Force, as well as its $194 billion budget since July 2021.

3. TODD GLORIA—Hon. Gloria made history not only as the first person of color to become the mayor of San Diego but also as the first openly gay individual to hold the position. He has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice. His leadership and commitment to inclusivity have made a positive impact on the city’s diverse communities.

4. TY PENSERGA—A dedicated advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, Hon. Penserga is the first out LGBTQ AAPI public official ever elected in Florida state history. As the mayor of Boynton, his leadership and commitment to fostering inclusivity and equality in his community have made a positive impact on LGBTQ+ individuals.

5. JASON TENGCO—A young political strategist and seasoned community organizer, Senior Adviser Tengco currently serves at the Office of Personnel Management as a White House liaison under the administration of President Joe Biden. His work focuses on advancing LGBTQ+ rights and advocating for marginalized communities at the national level.

Clockwise from top left: AC Dumlao, Commissioner Al Perez, Mark Anthony Nicolas, Commissioner Carmelyn Malalis, Chef Ron Bilaro and Manny the Movie Guy. CONTRIBUTED

6. CARMELYN MALALIS—An openly lesbian Filipino American woman, Atty. Malalis revitalized the New York City Commission on Human Rights after being appointed by Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2014. Under her leadership, the agency expanded its staff and increased case closures significantly. She personally connected with many issues tackled by the commission. Her tenure ended in 2021.

7. KEVIN NADAL—A prominent Filipino American psychologist, author and LGBTQ+ rights advocate, Prof. Nadal focuses on issues of multiculturalism, mental health and intersectionality. His work has helped raise awareness about the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals of color.

8. AL PEREZ—A longtime respected festival director, Hon. Perez is also an entertainment commissioner and LGBTQ+ advocate based in San Francisco. As the driving force behind events like Pistahan, he has championed LGBTQ+ representation and cultural diversity in the city.

9. MANNY THE MOVIE GUY—A multiple Emmy-winning film critic/host based in Palm Springs, Calif., Manny is well-known for his engaging and insightful reviews on radio, newspaper and TV. A member of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), he votes for the yearly Critics Choice Awards. Apart from NBC Palm Springs, you can see his movie reviews on The Filipino Channel’s “Balitang America.”

10. MARK ANTHONY NICOLAS—Two-time Emmy-winning producer of CBS’ “The Talk,” Nicolas hosts his own show “Make Your Mark” on GMA Pinoy TV, celebrating Filipino American achievement in all fields of endeavor.

11. RON BILARO—A renowned Filipino chef and television personality, Bilaro is known for his culinary expertise and his contributions to promoting Filipino cuisine. Having once cooked for Oprah, Chef Bilaro uses his platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility in the culinary world and beyond.

12. AC DUMLAO—A non-binary transgender activist, Dumlao is the founder of “Call Me They,” a platform dedicated to promoting transgender and non-binary visibility. Their advocacy work has been instrumental in raising awareness about gender diversity and inclusion. They were one of the esteemed grand marshals during last year’s NYC PRIDE.

These individuals, along with many others, continue to inspire and drive positive change within the LGBTQ+ Filipino community. As we celebrate Pride Month, let’s honor their contributions and continue to work towards a more inclusive and accepting society for all.