Palm Tran is rolling out its first bus celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. The “Ride with Pride” bus will debut at the Palm Beach Pride Market on Saturday, June 5 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bryant Park in Lake Worth Beach.
The bus features the Progress Pride Flag, which includes the traditional rainbow plus the colors black, brown, light blue, light pink and white. The additional colors represent people of color, transgender, non-binary individuals and those living with HIV/AIDS. The Palm Tran bus may be the first public bus in the world to feature this flag.
“Palm Tran is not simply a bus company, we are integrated into this community. This bus further highlights our long-standing commitment to equality for everyone,” Palm Tran Executive Director Clinton B. Forbes said.
The bus is a partnership of Palm Tran and two local LGBTQ organizations, the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council and Compass.
PBCHRC is Florida’s oldest, independent, non-partisan, political organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. The organization promotes equality through education, advocacy, direct action, impact litigation and community outreach.
“Palm Tran has long been a leader in providing LGBTQ employees with equal protections, rights and benefits,” PBCHRC President Rand Hoch said. “The ‘Ride with Pride’ bus lets everyone know Palm Tran’s commitment to diversity extends to the entire LGBTQ community.”
Compass is one of the largest LGBTQ community centers in Florida. Its mission is to engage, empower and enrich the lives of LGBTQ people and those impacted by HIV and AIDS.
“Palm Beach County is a beacon for the LGBTQ community,” Compass Executive Director Julie Seaver said. “Palm Tran’s celebration of our vibrant, colorful and diverse community is both endearing and empowering.”
