Ride4Pride Marianas motorcade on Saturday

In celebration of Pride Month, Pride Marianas Youth, a grassroots organization of family members, friends, allies, and members of our LGBTQIA+ community, will have a “Ride 4 Pride Marianas” motorcade this Saturday, June 27, 2020.

The event is an opportunity for community members to show solidarity in support and honor of the LGBTQIA+ members.

While traditionally a parade, Pride Marianas Youth chose to promote Pride Month through a motorcade that will be escorted by the Department of Public Safety around the island. This motorcade is to also observe the social distancing guidelines of the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. 

“Pride Month is a time to advance human rights and push for positive social change that embraces inclusion. The movement honors the countless battles that have paved the way for progress and advancement of freedom. Pride is also a time to acknowledge the tremendous work that is still left for us to do,” said Dr. Bobby Cruz, one of the Pride Marianas Youth volunteers. “It presents an opportunity for more unity in the Marianas and for individuals to come together to support and love one another. It is a call to resist intolerance and discrimination and to create spaces for all individuals to thrive. Doing your part to increase awareness is important and has a mobilizing effect in helping to create braver, safer, and more inclusive spaces.”

Registration for the Ride4Pride Marianas event is scheduled to begin at 12pm at the Kan Pacific Pool in Marpi. Participants must check-in at the registration booth in order to participate. The Department of Public Safety will check for the driver’s valid license, vehicle registration, and insurance. Participants will then be directed to drive and line up before the motorcade begins at 1pm.

Registered participants will be issued a map of the route and guidelines to follow prior to the start of the motorcade. Participants who do not follow the guidelines will be asked to leave the event. Based on the route of the map, the motorcade is anticipated to last until 4pm. Carpools are also advised to prepare water and snacks. Participants can also leave at any time during the event.

Pride Marianas Youth is a grassroots organization of family members, friends, allies, and members of our LGBTQIA+ members based in the CNMI. Founded in 2019, Pride Marianas Youth has coordinated several LGBTQIA+ youth-focused activities, events, professional development training, workshops, webinars, awareness campaigns, and other advocacy activities. Check out their Facebook page @pmy670 or Instagram @pridemarianasyouth 

For more information on the Ride4Pride event, visit http://bit.do/Ride4PrideRegistration2020. (PR)