Running with pride at the CNY Gay 5K – Spectrum News
They say a family that plays together stays together. And on a daily basis, this is the Loomis family.
Jerra, Alicia, their two daughters and grandma are training daily to participate in this year CNY Gay 5K. And as an LGBTQ family, there’s nothing they’d rather be doing during Pride Month.
“We have banded together in the mornings,” Jerra Loomis said. “Since there is nowhere for our little ones to go, we pop them in the stroller, put them on their scooter and make them come with us.”
The CNY Gay 5K race was established six years ago to help SAGE Upstate. It is an organization that supports older members of the LGBTQ community. And despite this year’s race being virtual, it might be the most special to the Loomis family. It’s the first time they will all participate together.
Liliana is just 9 years old, but she’s out with mom and dad running every day.
“Sometimes, I’m out here riding my scooter,” she said. “But it’s also fun when I just run. It’s also very, very fun when I get in front of them.”
Jerra Loomis, a transgender male, hopes the race and community support will continue to bring awareness to the LGBTQ community.
“It’s pretty incredible,” Jerra said. “We’ve obviously both been in situations, as I’m sure any LGBTQ+ person can tell you, where we didn’t feel supported. And so to have a space where you can go to and just be yourself and know that you are safe there around all these other people who are like you, is a pretty incredible experience.”
It is an experience that even 2-year-old Elara wasn’t going to miss out on.