LA Pride and EnMotive Lead Nationwide Pride Organizations in Inaugural Pride Stride Virtual Run Supporting National Coming Out Day on October 11, 2020
Spearheaded by LA Pride, LGBTQ+ Pride organizations from across America have come together to create the first-ever National Pride Stride Virtual Run. In partnership with EnMotive, producers of the Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k series, the nationwide LGBTQ+ virtual 5k/10k event will commemorate National Coming Out Day on Sunday, October 11, 2020.
More than 34 Pride organizations across the country, from San Francisco to Des Moines to Washington DC, are uniting to recognize National Coming Out Day and the #StillWeVote campaign leading up to November’s election. All participants will receive a goodie bag featuring Pride-branded swag and themed Pride Stride finishers medal, plus a fanny pack and more.
“Collectively, we’ve had to stay indoors during our Pride season thanks to the pandemic and follow safety guidelines, but we didn’t go away,” said newly appointed LA Pride president Sharon-Franklin Brown. “It’s important that we show we haven’t stopped making each and every member of our respective communities visible and matter. We’re leading the effort to get people moving and help them get out, figuratively and literally, across the country to safely show their pride in solidarity with this event.”
While LA Pride is leading the call alongside other Pride organizations for individuals to sign-up and participate, this national event impacts every city and town’s LGBTQ+ community. Each of the participating Pride organizations will help promote Pride Stride in their own respective regions, kicking off an uplifting, fun, and masked 5k/10k event for LGBTQ+ communities and their supporters.
“These times require us to reflect and modify the actions that we take and the programming that we develop in our fight for full freedom and equality,” said Ryan Bos, Executive Director of the Capital Pride Alliance in Washington, D.C. “We are thrilled to partner with other Pride organizations across the United States for the inaugural, nationwide virtual Pride Stride 5k/10k.
This event will be part of our #StillWeVote campaign, a call to action for members of the LGBTQ+ community and our allies. Our votes are our voices, and we have too much at stake to sit by idly. Let us acknowledge that #StillWe must run and walk to the ballot box or mailbox for this November’s General Election!” Bos emphasized.
Individuals wishing to participate can register for the event and gear up for their own personal journey. The unique aspect of the virtual 5k/10k allows each participant to safely walk or run solo at their own leisure, without needing to worry about massive crowds or a time limit. There is no official route, nor permits required. They can actively promote their own sign-up, their family members’ and friends’ involvement through social media and rally others to participate.
“The COVID pandemic greatly impacted Pride celebrations around the world and the heartland was not exempt. To ensure the safety of our community, all in-person Pride activities were canceled and replaced with virtual events. When possible, we masked-up in solidarity with our Black and Brown brothers and sisters in support of the Black Lives Matter movement,” said Jennifer Carruthers, President of Capital City Pride in Des Moines, IA. “The health and safety of our community is our top priority, and Pride Stride is an opportunity for us to come together safely to celebrate.”
A portion of each participant’s Pride Stride registration fee will go to their local Pride 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, helping to sustain them and support the work they do for their LGBTQ+ community. Organizers are working with both local and national sponsors including State Farm as premiere partner of the virtual event.
“This year, a majority of Pride organizations had to cancel or dramatically scale back their celebrations,” said Steve Ginsburg, President of EnMotive. “We are thrilled to partner with so many Pride chapters across the nation to support kindness, unity, courage and strength through this virtual event helping bring the community together.”
Registration for the inaugural Pride Stride Virtual Run is $40 and opens today at Pridestride.org. For more information or to help make the event shine, follow @pridestrideofficial on Facebook and Instagram.
