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First-ever Rainbow Crosswalk in NMI is unveiled
Guests and dignitaries cut the ribbon to unveil the first-ever Rainbow Walk in the CNMI in front of the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan and connecting to the Paseo de Marianas last Friday. (MARC VENUS)
Pride Marianas, in partnership with the Pacific Century Fellows Class of 2019, unveiled the first-ever Rainbow Crosswalk at the Paseo de Marianas last Friday as part of the celebration of June as Pride Month.
The unveiling and ribbon-cutting for the crosswalk followed the Pride Walk held from the Carolinian Utt to Paseo de Marianas.
The Rainbow Crosswalk is intended to show the community’s support for the LGBTQ+ community in the Marianas and in Micronesia. The crosswalk connects the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan and Paseo de Marianas.
PCF member and keynote speaker Nola Hix thanked Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and other CNMI officials for their support, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Public Works, Department of Lands and Natural Resources – Parks & Recreation division, and the Tan Siu Lin Foundation.
She said the crosswalk is symbolic to the LGBTQ+ community and shows support. “We hope to promote the theme: Love wins in the Marianas,” Hix added.
The crosswalk before the unveiling ceremony. (MARC VENUS)
“This crosswalk is what represents what we are as a community and I hope that we create more crosswalks in the CNMI to spread the love,” an LGBTQ+ spectator said.
Others present at the unveiling event were minority leader Rep. Edwin Propst (Ind-Saipan), Rep. Richard Lizama (R-Saipan), and Rep. Edmund Villagomez (Ind-Saipan).
Others who spoke at the unveiling were press secretary Kevin Bautista, Pride Marianas president Frankie Elliptico, and TanHoldings Corp. president Jerry Tan.
LGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning. The plus encompasses a list of other identities that fall under the gay umbrella.
