The 58-year-old OPM icon underscored the need to listen to young members of the family who are also part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Gary Valenciano expressed his support for the LGBTQIA+ community, in time for Pride Month. The award-winning OPM icon renewed his contract with UNICEF Philippines, as one of its national goodwill ambassadors, last June 1.
During the signing ceremony held at the UNICEF Philippines headquarters in Mandaluyong City, Valenciano relayed his message of support for families who have LGBTQIA+ members in their households.
“I just want to say ‘God bless the entire community. I know that many of you, the majority of you, love Him, and He loves you too,” he shared.
The ASAP Natin ‘To host acknowledged the challenges that many families around the world are still dealing with, as discrimination against members of the third sex, remains rampant and uncontrollable.
“So, I’m just praying, especially for parents who may have someone in the family that, you know, it’s still, it’s not really something that the world has accepted yet,” he said.
“But remember, it pays to talk to them; it pays to listen. It pays to go through their journey because they’ll see the best in you. That’s the kind of impact that lasts,” Valenciano noted, underscoring the importance of adequate communication between family members.
As parting words, he shared a popular proverb, which he believes is the best way for parents to raise their kids who are gay. “Train the young in the way that he should go, so that when they grow up, they will not depart from it” he shared.
Valenciano’s 25th year as an active member of UNICEF Philippines eclipses his 40th anniversary in showbiz. The double celebration includes events he hopes will help him fulfill both his role as an entertainer and advocate for children.
