The streets of Christiansted came alive Saturday with vibrant colors, music, and powerful messages of unity as the St. Croix Pride Parade brought together hundreds in a celebration of LGBTQ+ identity, resilience, and love.
The parade, which was held on the streets of Christiansted, was organized by St. Croix Pride, Inc., also known as STX Pride, Inc., a non-profit organization that was founded several years ago by Bob Palmatier. The Source connected with Palmatier to obtain more information about the goals of the parade.
“STX Pride began in 2014 as a lawn party in our front yard,” Palmatier said. “It became a non-profit in 2017, and Imani Evans contacted me to ask about a parade when she was a senior in high school. We had not planned a parade that year, but I welcomed her as parade organizer for the next year. Thus, we held the first Pride Parade in the Caribbean in 2018,” Palmatier explained.
Palmatier noted that Pride events were held in the years that followed, including celebrations at the Sandcastle Resort in Frederiksted and at Point Udall on the East End of St. Croix. Palmatier turned the presidential responsibilities over to Evans in 2023, but he remains heavily involved with the organization.
Mission of St. Croix Pride
Information obtained on the official website for STX Pride offered the following information about the mission of the organization.
“St. Croix Pride, Inc. works toward a future without discrimination where all people have equal rights under the law. Through education, outreach, and celebration of our diverse communities, we promote a world free of prejudice and bias, and serve to educate, motivate, support, liberate, and celebrate our community in order to grow and protect our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer legacy for future generations,” STX Pride, Inc. said.
The Source spoke to Evans, the current president of the board of trustees of St. Croix Pride, Inc., regarding her role within St. Croix Pride and about the parade this year to learn more details about the importance of the celebration.
Evans explained that she has been involved with St. Croix Pride since she reached out to Palmatier as a high school senior requesting to assist in creating a Pride parade.
“The theme of this year’s parade is “Crucian Outlaws,” which, at the surface, was really an opportunity for us to get down in our western, cowboy and cowgirl outfits, complete with the hats and chaps!” Evans stated. “However, it also serves as a nod to the work of St. Croix Pride and Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays of St. Thomas last November. We went to the legislature to testify on behalf of a bill that would give transgender people in the US Virgin Islands the ability to change the gender markers and name on their government documents, including driver’s license, birth certificate, etc.
“Unfortunately, the bill was held in committee and didn’t go any further despite our efforts,” Evans acknowledged. “Still, we are luckily afforded many rights as queer Virgin Islanders in the American Caribbean. However, the theme of “Crucian Outlaws” was born of this feeling of rebellion and insurgence that has always marked our efforts. Pride in the Virgin Islands has always been a protest, and the theme of this year’s parade just doubles down on that,” Evans explained.
Evans said that as the president of the organization, there is an immense amount of organization that goes into planning the demonstration. She noted that multiple permits were required to be obtained for the parade, including authorizations for police presence, police escorts, road blockage permits, and police permissions. Lauren Larsen, a logistics coordinator with STX Pride, helped to ensure that proper permitting was in place for the celebration, according to Evans.
“At the parade, you have the chance to bask in joy and love, and whether we have 20 attendees or 200 revelers, it is such a rewarding experience,” Evans declared.
Hope for Continued Support and Solidarity
Evans hopes that through this year’s Pride Parade, more individuals will be inspired to embrace who they are and to support the LGBTQ+ community across the territory. She noted that at the core of Pride is the idea of acceptance and love for all individuals regardless of our differences, and to embrace uniqueness.
Evans also emphasized that Saturday’s celebration serves as a reminder to the USVI community—and the Caribbean as a whole—that LGBTQ+ individuals are our family, friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens.
“Queer people have given so much to the U.S. Virgin Islands. The heart of the Virgin Islands is our community, resilience, and adoration of each other,” she stated.
Individuals can learn more about St. Croix Pride and its upcoming events by visiting the organization’s official website and Facebook page.
