Belonging at the heart of Cayman Pride parade

By Cayman Compass contributor Christopher Tobutt

Rainbow flags, colourful capes and hand-painted banners brightened West Bay Road on Saturday afternoon as participants gathered outside XQ’s before setting off on Cayman Pride’s annual parade towards Public Beach and Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa.

Led by a music-filled float truck, the procession brought together members of the LGBTQIA+ community, families, friends, allies and supporters for an afternoon that organisers said was ultimately about one simple idea: belonging.

“Pride is about so much more than a parade,” organiser Zee Wright said. “It is about creating space for people to feel seen, accepted and loved.”

That message was echoed throughout the afternoon as marchers moved north along Seven Mile Beach, dancing, waving flags and greeting spectators who lined sections of the route.

In an address before the parade, Wright told the crowd that the event was about visibility, community and belonging.

“And it is about reminding every person that they should never have to hide who they are to feel accepted,” Wright said.

Fellow organiser Tara Bush said creating a sense of community remained central to Cayman Pride’s mission.

“We are creating a sense of community; a sense of belonging,” she said.

Among those taking part was Bruno Segura, a food and beverage professional with Palm Heights, who was helping distribute drinks and water to participants.

“From a human perspective, it’s incredibly important to show up for our community,” Segura said. “It’s incredibly important to create these spaces and support these causes because, at the end of the day, one in 10 people is going to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community.”

Segura also offered a perspective that contrasted with assumptions some may hold about life in a small, traditionally conservative island community.

“I do have the privilege of living on an island where it’s not so bad as some people make it seem,” he said. “You can live a very proud and out life as a young adult, or a person of any gender or age, and live a full life without having to hide yourself. But it’s still underrepresented.”

The parade also included recognition of the contribution made by the late Noel “Nolly” Cayasso-Smith, founder of the Cayman LGBT Foundation, whose work helped establish foundations for the community that exists today.

“We also made space to honour Noel Cayasso-Smith and other significant members of our LGBTQIA+ community,” Wright said. “Pride is about celebrating who we are today, but it is also about remembering the people whose presence, work and courage helped shape the path for us.”

Julian Foster, Pride’s director of marketing, said, “Cayman Pride is all about creating spaces for the Cayman LGBTQIA+ community and their allies, creating a space that is accepting, that is welcoming of everybody regardless of who you are.”

Following the walk, celebrations continued at Kimpton Seafire with music, performances and entertainment.

Kimpton Seafire and Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman Marketing Manager Camila Pantin said, “At Kimpton Seafire and Hotel Indigo, we believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and to have an equal opportunity to belong and thrive. That commitment is at the core of our culture and of true hospitality.”

For Wright, the day’s significance extended beyond the festivities themselves.

“The magic was not just in the performances, the music or the beautiful space,” Wright said. “It was in the feeling of belonging, the people who showed up, the memories we honoured and the love that filled the day.”

Christopher Tobutt is a freelance journalist who has written for various publications in the Cayman Islands since 2003.