With the recent lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, Cayman LGBTQ Foundation founder Noel Cayasso-Smith says he is expecting an even bigger turn out at this year’s Pride parade on 30 July.
Cayasso-Smith, speaking with the Cayman Compass on Tuesday, said he was excited for this year’s event since the restrictions relating to vaccination status will no longer apply for the parade and travel protocols have been relaxed.
“I believe lifting restrictions will encourage more people to come out and support because a lot of people last year wanted their kids to be included… when it comes to changes, we got to start from a young age because there’s no child born with hatred, discrimination or stigma… it’s what they’ve been taught as they grow up,” he said.
Last week Cayman dropped its pre-arrival testing requirement as well as the local mask mandates.
Cayasso-Smith said with these restrictions now gone more international supporters are willing to come to support the event.
“It’s bigger and better. We have a lot more artistes coming down. The numbers I think are gonna increase because we have people coming in from Miami, Atlanta and New York to join and it happened all in good time because now [there’s] no quarantine, no testing… all that stuff has now been dropped [by] the Ministry of Health, which makes it even easier for people to come in. All they basically have to do is register with Travel Cayman and show that they have been vaccinated to get in and that is fantastic,” Cayasso-Smith said.
Last year’s event, the first Pride parade in the Cayman Islands, was well-attended despite the restrictions that were implemented.
Though there will be some changes to the parade, Cayasso-Smith said the ‘no public displays of affection’ rule will remain in place as kids are going to be in attendance and that “respect is due”.
“We want it to be as clean and fun as it possibly can,” he said, adding the response from parents has been overwhelming.
“If we’re going to ask for acceptance and equality, these sort of things that have to start from a young age… letting people understand that everybody’s equal,” he added.
He said kids under the age of 15 will be allowed to participate in the parade free of charge.
Funding sought for LGBTQ+ projects
He pointed out that Premier Wayne Panton has committed to walk the parade, as he did last year.
Governor Martyn Roper will not be on island, he said, but Deputy Governor Franz Manderson is expected, as well as Opposition representatives, confirmation of which is still pending.
The theme for this year’s event is ‘The struggle is real’ and Cayasso-Smith said it is apt as there remain critical issues impacting members of the LGBTQ+ community, such as persisting discrimination.
Cayasso-Smith said this year’s event will be a paid undertaking for participants as the Foundation is seeking to raise funds to help members of the LGBTQ+ community since sponsorship is proving a challenge.
“A lot of people have been coming to the foundation seeking assistance because they’ve been thrown out of their homes, been bullied or facing difficulties due to their sexuality. At this present point, we don’t have anywhere to put these people to transition them back into society,” he said, adding that the hope is to open a centre for members of the LGBTQ+ community to come together and a refuge for those rendered homeless because of their sexual orientation.
Last year’s event was free, however the Foundation requires funds for its project which will be raised through the purchase of packages for this year’s events.
All sales, he said, will be going towards the centre and housing facility the Foundation is trying to establish.
“We have been very active in the community and we would like to remain that way but of course this takes funding in order to do so. So this year, monies raised will actually go to these greater causes, which is the centre and somewhere to house people when they approach us asking assistance… that’s very important to us,” he said.
Packages, he said, start from $550 for VIP to $100 for the parade and $35 entrance fee to the Camana Bay Festival Green.
The parade begins at 5pm on Seven Mile Beach and ends at the Festival Green.
More events planned
Cayasso-Smith said the intention this year is to offer more activities for the community to support the Foundation’s initiatives while having fun.
The Pride events kicked off on 23 June with the Pride 5k walk/run at Seven Mile Beach and on 23 July, the Pride flag will be raised at a free rainbow cooler fete on Seven Mile Beach featuring music from DJ Chuck.
Cayasso-Smith said visiting drag queens Kiki Coe (Canada) and Detoxx Busti-AE (New York) will be headlining the main stage at the end of the parade as well as Miami-based DJ Pressure Point. Local DJs Glen, Alex and Chuck will also perform.
For more information contact [email protected] or 526-1001.
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