The Quezon City Government will hold the city’s first-ever LGBTIQ+ Business Summit, a landmark initiative aimed at fostering a more inclusive, equitable, and empowered local economy.
Happening on June 18, 2025, at the M.I.C.E. Center, Quezon City Hall, the summit is organized in partnership with the Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Mindanao Pride, Intersex Philippines, and SPARK! Philippines, with generous support from the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund and Humanis Foundation through the Free to Be Me program.
Anchored on the theme “Building an Inclusive Future: Quezon City as an LGBTIQ+ Business-Friendly City,” the summit seeks to position Quezon City as a leader in inclusive urban governance by celebrating the vital role of queer entrepreneurs and workers in driving economic growth.
“Quezon City proudly stands for inclusive development, and as your Mayor, I will always lead with pride—not just during Pride Month, but every single day. Through inclusive programs like Pangkabuhayang QC, strong support for cooperatives and MSMEs, and one of the most progressive Gender and Development Codes in the country, we give every citizen the tools and the space to succeed—anuman ang kanilang kasarian, anyo, o kulay. We will bring joy when things get heavy, offer hope when the road gets rough, and stand as an unwavering ally to every gender, every dream, and every color of the rainbow,” said Mayor Joy Belmonte.
The summit will feature keynote presentations, success stories, and panel discussions spotlighting inclusive policies and innovative business practices. It also seeks to strengthen cross-sector partnerships and amplify the voices of LGBTIQ+ entrepreneurs—particularly those from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)—as key contributors to local development.
Ronn Astillas, Chair of the Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of inclusive business environments at the local level:
“The rising presence of the LGBTQIA+ community should signal a deeper and more unified approach towards genuine inclusive economic development. As the private sector becomes an essential growth partner, localities must provide a business climate that promotes, protects, and sustains queer- and ally-owned enterprises.”
This pioneering summit marks a significant step in Quezon City’s journey toward building a resilient and thriving queer entrepreneurial community—one that reflects the city’s commitment to diversity, equity, and innovation in local governance.
Registration is free and open to the public. Interested participants may sign up via: https://tinyurl.com/QCLGBTIQBusinessSummitReg.
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