QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Saturday led the special graduation rites for 394 members of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

Describing the event as historic as it coincided with the city's 85th founding anniversary and celebration of Pride Month, Belmonte said QC has become the first local government unit in the country to conduct a symbolic ceremony that gives members of the LGBTQIA+ community the opportunity to march as their authentic selves.