Twenty-four LGBTQIA+ couples were united in a Holy Union rite held in Quezon City on Saturday, June 13.
The ceremony was held by the LGBTS Christian Church at UP Diliman in conjunction with the celebration of Pride Month this June.
According to Rev. Crecensio Agbayani Jr. of the LGBTS Christian Church, they have been doing the ceremonies in the country for fifteen years for the same-sex couples who wants to get married.
A Certificate of Holy Union is issued to the couples that they can use in countries that recognize marriage equality.
According to Rev Agbayani Jr., some couples have used the certificate to petition their partners for spousal or family visas.
He added that some couples have submitted the certificate as proof of relationship when applying for or processing documents in Social Security System (SSS), Pag-IBIG Funs, banks, and other insurance companies.
Rev. Agbayani Jr. called on lawmakers to pass a marriage equality law, noting that same-sex marriage is not legally recognized in the Philippines.
