Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang designated the month of June as CNMI Pride Month in a proclamation signing yesterday at the Micro Beach pavilion.

They were joined by local dignitaries, advocates, and members of the community.

The proclamation was read by Marianas High School’s Dolphin Pride Club members Leilani Attao, Yu Xin Lucy Chen, Yejin Son Jenny Zhang, Jandi Rei Aguilar, and Sharon Calamaan.

Before the signing, Roberto Santos of Pride Marianas said, “It’s monumental that we’re all out here as a community outdoors in the Marianas to make it known that we celebrate love and we value life here.”

He then called attention to the ongoing genocide in Palestine and other conflicts going on around the world. He said, “This is part of the pride movement. It’s called intersectionality. Pride is the antidote. Pride calls for these celebrations of people, women, trans people, black people, indigenous people. So, let our prayers, our meditations, and our intentions be as strategic and specific as our words…”

Then, the proclamation began with, “whereas, the CNMI, a vibrant culture founded on the spirit of inafa’maolek, has built on remarkable progress to uplift, center, and support Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning, Intersex, Agender, Non-Binary, and other queer identities of our 2SLGBTIA+ communities across generations, spanning every sexual orientation and gender identity.”

It ended with, “whereas, everyone is called to action and plays a part in creating braver safer spaces that embraces diversity, inclusivity, amplifies, and empowers our youth so that they may lead the way, and, whereas with this declaration, our Commonwealth commits to ensuring that prejudice, discrimination, and ignorance have no place. Instead, we choose love that sees no bounds.”

At the end of the proclamation signing, Palacios said, “we have evolved into a more inclusive society and inclusive community.”

He added, “I’m proud of myself that I have learned how to reach out and continue to understand… Some of the [LGBTQIA+ people] are our family members and they are some of the most intelligent and caring individuals. They do continue to struggle—there is some social stigma, but we’re evolving as a society to be a more understanding community.”50

2024 CNMI Pride Month events will be posted on their social media pages Facebook: Pride Marianas and Instagram: @PrideMarianas670.