HAFA Adai honorable leaders, advocates, supporters, allies, brothers and sisters and champions!
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to present to you the winners of our essay contest in partnership with Joeten-Kiyu Public Library!
The first place winners are Ian Song, 14 years old of Saipan International School, and Jermaine Chloe Yalung,16 years old of Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr/ Sr High School.
We are proud to showcase the thoughts of our youth and to show how extraordinary they are. Oftentimes we talk about the future and what’s good for our youth but we sometimes forget to give them a platform in which to speak their mind and amplify their voices.
With the help from the money we received from Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Sen. Vinnie Sablan and the platform and support of Reps. Tina Sablan and Leila Staffler as well as the Health and Welfare Committee, we were able to do just that with our Pride Talks up at the Legislature, and through events we’ve sponsored and executed all throughout the year and of course with the ongoing support our CHCC CEO Esther Muna and her team of health leaders who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that justice in the healthcare system here in the CNMI is one step closer to being achieved! I am humbled by your generosity and your kindness. On behalf of the LGBTQ community both young and young at heart, thank you!
The people have spoken! The youth has spoken! They wish for a more inclusive, more loving and more equal future!
We hope you enjoy the essays as much as I did. Thank you for all you do for our CNMI!
Tyra Lyn Sablan is Marianas LGBTQ+ T-Project founder/president.
