Open Table MCC, an LGBT+ affirming Christian church based in Metro Manila, Philippines – is launching its own volunteer-driven disaster relief and care program called “Pride Cares PH.”
Aside from welcoming the “stranger” and offering a safe space of faith for LGBTQI+ people that Open Table MCC is already doing as a church community, as followers of Jesus of Nazareth, we are called to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothing to the naked, and care for the sick (Matthew 25) especially during times of natural disasters of which the Philippines is most vulnerable because of its location which is on the direct path of typhoons (cyclones) coming from the Pacific ocean and also on the path of the Pacific Ring of Fire; the Philippines being one of countries that will be most adversely affected by climate change.
Pride Cares PH aims to be responsive to the unmet needs of LGBTQI+ individuals and families who could not access the disaster response and relief program of government and other civil society organizations because of their sexuality, gender identity, and family composition.