Participants in the rescheduled Cayman Pride Parade enjoyed sunny skies and plenty of rainbows as they paraded along West Bay Road on Saturday.
Originally set for 22 June, the new date offered clear weather post Hurricane Beryl.
The crowd included dogs in colourful tutus and bandanas, flags nearly spanning the width of the street, and revellers sporting shirts with supportive messages like, “Be the person you needed when you were younger”.
The group followed a ribbon-covered truck that broadcast popular cultural anthems including ‘Y.M.C.A.’ and ‘It’s Raining Men’.
Participants walked from XQ’s bar on West Bay Road to Cayman Cabana on North Church Street, where they danced and shared their experiences.
Noel Cayasso-Smith, organiser and founder of the Cayman LGBTQ Foundation, told the Compass he didn’t dream the parade would grow into what it has become today when he put together the first celebration.
He said they were pleased with the turnout and the enthusiasm, despite the absence of people who weren’t able to attend due to Hurricane Beryl-related travel issues.
The public show of community support goes a long way in supporting Cayman’s youth, he noted.
“We have so many younger people here who are gay, bisexual, transgender or struggling with their identity,” he said, stressing the importance to their mental health of open-armed support.
Cayasso-Smith said that while negative talk still spreads on social media, the Cayman Islands has come a long way in showing support for members of the LGBTQ community.
“It’s not an easy task or easy road, but we will get there someday,” he said.
Among those lending their support on Saturday was Governor Jane Owen, who told the Compass that she was pleased people had the opportunity to show their support, including those waving from the sidelines.
“It’s great to be here with so many people in Cayman who are standing up for love and respect, and it’s great that we’ve been able to do this march here in George Town,” she said. “We are a democracy, and we are a place where people can march for what they think is important in their lives.”
She added, “I think today is about the values that we all hold dear in Cayman. While it is quite a controversial subject here, at the end of the day, I think today we were all walking to stand up for love, respect and the freedom to serve your community.”
Cayasso-Smith said the foundation is already looking forward to next year’s celebration, where he hopes to welcome regional partners and attract record attendance.
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