For the seventh year, St. Croix’s small but mighty Pride parade brought the community’s LGBTQIA community and allies together for a celebration of love and solidarity in Christiansted.
The parade made its way up King Street at around 11 a.m. with a colorful column that included Cruzan Cowgirls on horseback as well as groups from Good Hope Country Day School, businesses like Umami Sushi, and CMCArts. Umami’s Heather Reedy, who was born and raised on the island, said that she was proud to attend Saturday’s parade with her coworkers.
“We always put a little flag up for June and everything, but this is something that’s really true to all of our hearts — whether you’re part of the community or not,” she said. “We all support the community.”
St. Croix’s first Pride parade, which swept through Frederiksted in 2018, was marred somewhat by expressions of intolerance on social media and during the parade itself. On Saturday, attendees credited the V.I. Police Department for their support in ensuring a safe, welcoming event.
“I’m just happy that it’s a safe space to do it in,” Reedy said. “And I wish it would grow even more.”
While Saturday’s parade was smaller than in previous years, St. Croix Pride president Imani Evans said a core group of attendees and supporters always turn out and have a good time.
“One of the big things right now is we’re always looking for more board members and more volunteers,” she said, adding that events are volunteer-based. “So we’re always looking for people who want to come and be a part of it.”
Pride Month started early on the Big Island. On May 28, CMCArts hosted an opening reception for “Conversations on Pride,” an exhibition celebrating freedom of expression and the territory’s LGBTQIA community. That was followed by an inaugural Pride rave party at Shupe’s on the Boardwalk on May 30 and bingo at Sion Farm Distillery on June 2. On Wednesday, Common Cents Pub hosted “Rainbow Karaoke.”
Evans said upcoming events include a “Flower Power” brunch at Sion Farm Distillery from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, a movie night at Blues Backyard BBQ from 6-10 p.m. Thursday, a “Rainbow Recharge” day at Island Movement on June 13, and a bar crawl from 1-8 p.m. on June 14 in Frederiksted. St. Croix Pride is planning to put a bow on the month of celebration with a closing beach party and drag show at Sandcastle on the Beach on June 20.
