by Shauna Morato, for KUAM News

The UOG Calvo Fieldhouse was all abuzz this past Saturday as the island celebrated Pride Month alongside GALA Guam. Hannah Mendiola, a GALA program coordinator, said, “We wanted this as a free event, you know, people want to do good things, it’s just that they have barriers. And so how do you be a community-centered organization? You look at what your community needs.”

Mendiola spoke with KUAM News at the mini-carnival, with games, food, local crafts, live performances, and more. Mendiola talked about how it all came together for the second year in a row, highlighting the community support they’ve received.

“It wouldn’t be possible without our sponsors, our community org partners, and our pride committee team. I mean, this is really LGBT+ community lead, so I’m really proud of that," she explained.

The event hosted a variety of vendors with different wares, local artists showcasing and selling their work, and all kinds of food trucks and stands. Up on the stage, colorful performances by Nolan Muna, Natibu Dance Academy, and Breaking Wave Theatre Company had everybody moving to the beats of their own drums. When asked about the process of gathering the community together for an event like this, Mendiola says it was a lot smoother than expected.

“It’s really because people want to do something like this, you know?" said Mendiola. "It’s not just something that we’re forcing people to join. They want to be here and it’s really showing in the participation and how people are dressing-up, too.”

She pressed on the need for community within the people of Guam, emphasizing the importance of community-led projects and events. “We need more free spaces where people can get together and not be influenced by substances, not be negatively impacted. They’re in a safe environment, there’s air-con," she said.

With plenty of time left in June, as well, there are many organizations with upcoming festivities before pride month closes out. Mendiola said,  “There’s going to be the Pride Forum on June 26, and then there’s going to be the Pride proclamation on June 20.”

Be sure to check out @galaguam on Instagram to stay updated on all the other pride events happening this June.