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Motor City Pride Participates in Virtual Pride Stride 5K

Jason A. Michael

Motor City Pride has announced its participation in the first-ever National Pride Stride, a virtual 5K created by LA Pride to help Pride organizations across the country offset this year's novel coronavirus pandemic-related losses and raise funds for their charitable efforts. For its part, any funds MCP receives will go to the agency's annual grant program.

More than 30 Pride organizations are taking place the Pride Stride. The effort was scheduled to bring attention to National Coming Out, which was Oct. 11. The 5K was developed with the assistance of EnMotive and producers of the Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k series, and participants in groups or alone can walk or run wherever they choose – even at home on their treadmill – throughout the month.

"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."

With most American Pride events canceled this year, organizers of the Pride Stride said they believed it was a safe, fun alternative.

"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. "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."

All Pride Stride participants will receive a goodie bag featuring Pride Stride-branded swag, a themed Pride Stride finishers medal and more. Registration for the inaugural Pride Stride virtual run is $40 at Pridestride.org. For more updates or more information, follow @pridestrideofficial on Facebook and Instagram.

The unique aspect of the virtual 5k is that it allows each participant to safely walk or run solo at their own leisure, or socially distancing with a few friends without needing to worry about massive crowds or a time limit. There is no official route, nor permits required. Participants can actively promote their own sign-up, and their family members' and friends' involvement through social media and rally others to participate. Participants can choose the day that works best for them to run or walk their own 5K.

All proceeds directed to Motor City Pride will be granted out to local LGBTQ organizations, helping to sustain them and support the work they do for the LGBTQ community. Organizers are working with both local and national sponsors including State Farm as a premier partner of the virtual event.

"Motor City Pride is excited to have been invited to participate in Pride Stride," said Dave Wait, chairman of MCP. "It is an excellent way for people to come together, while social distancing, to support equality and have fun."

 

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