ST. CROIX — Members of the L.G.B.T.Q. community proudly paraded down the streets of downtown Christiansted on Saturday for Pride Month, which commemorates the series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations by members of the gay community against a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the uprising.
Participants of the parade wore colors associated with the L.G.B.T.Q. community, waved and danced as they made their way downtown. When arriving at Government House, they were greeted by Governor Albert Bryan, who showed his support by not only standing on the side of the street, but embracing L.G.B.T.Q. members as they passed.
Mr. Bryan expressed the importance of allowing individuals to be who they are. “Even in our anthem it says we hold out a welcome for one and all. So I think it’s so important that we represent and let the people know that we support all the people of our community regardless of race, sex, color, gender or orientation. We’re here to support them,” he said. “It’s important for me to come down here and have a good time.”
This year’s event was the second annual on St. Croix, with last year’s parade being held in the town of Frederiksted.
Watch the video above.
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