Options Magazine - June 2024

OPTIONS

THE ACTIVISM EDITION

Hope is an Action Why Queer and Trans Jews Fight for Palestinian Liberation Lavender Scare Tactics And More Inside RHODE ISLAND AND SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND’S LGBTQ COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SINCE 1982

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IN THIS ISSUE: 4 5 6 8 10 12 15 16 19 21 24 28

From the Editor From the Board News Briefs Hope is an Action Why Queer and Trans Jews Fight for Palestinian Liberation Woonsocket Pride Felicitations Lavender Scare Tactics Chattering Classes Does Love Live in Seekonk? A Nonprofit is Silenced by a Local Publication For Queer People To Live and Thrive, Capitalism Must Go Resources

08 Hope is an Action

24 For Queer People to Live and Thrive, Capitalism Must Go

For our free online edition, visit optionsri.org; email subscriptions@optionsri.org; or write to: Options Magazine, PO Box 6406, Providence, RI 02940. © OPTIONS 2023 The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the volunteers or staff. Listings are provided as a resource and do not imply endorsement. Submissions to Options must include a phone number or email address. Names may be withheld on request.

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FROM THE EDITOR Somebody said to me early in 2024 that “hope is an action.” The phrase resonated deeply – in the face of attacks on some of our most fundamental human rights, it is not enough to simply make a wish or say a prayer. We must act with purpose to defend ourselves and others, and we must expend energy, even exhaust ourselves, in the tedious toil of our relentless march towards justice.

To serve as the editor of Options Magazine is my act of hope, and my honor. I can think of no better way to engage in the praxis of allyship with my LGBTQ+ comrades than to spend sleepless nights putting together our “activism edition.” With the presidential election looming, the ACLU tracking 515 anti-LGBTQ pieces of legislation in the United States this year alone, and anti-trans policies, homophobic hate speech, and violent action targeting queer folks on the rise around the world, we feel it is important right now for our magazine to be loud, proud, and unabashedly political in the defense of queer rights, the celebration of queer joy, and the platforming of queer voices.

This year’s print edition features six queer writers of varying backgrounds and identities, all deeply committed activists who offer insightful commentary on how best to move forward in the face of social and political adversity, on topics ranging from the local to the international. Whether it is facing down the police at Woonsocket Pride or upholding an international and multi-generational tradition of queer Jewish activism in solidarity with Palestinians, Options Magazine’s writers continue to inspire hope with their resolute steadfastness and their commitment to taking concrete action to make the world a better, safer place.

With gratitude to our poets and writers, our board of directors, our loyal readers, our sponsors, and a special thank you to my wonderful predecessor Alex Morash, who has gone above and beyond to help me succeed in this role, I present to you the activism edition of Options Magazine.

Sincerely, Zane Wolfang

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Rhode Island’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community news source since 1982.

June 2024 Volume XLII, Issue 1

Editor-in-Chief

Zane Wolfang editor@optionsri.org Resources Editor & Social Media Coordinator

Derek Sherlock resources@optionsri.org Copy Editor

Alex Morash Graphic & Layout Design

Harini Rajagopalan Advertising & Development Director

Zachary Hall advertising@optionsri.org Contributors

Alex Kithes, Alex Morash, Felicia Nimue Ackerman, Jackie Goldman, Kwana Adams, Matt McDermott, Maya Dovid, Zane Wolfang Directors

Taylor Nepture, Alexia Nunez, Kwana Adams, Gil Pontes Cover:

Options Cover by Harini Rajagopalan PO Box 6406 Providence, RI 02940 401-217-3939 www.optionsri.org

FROM THE OPTIONS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

O

ver the past year, Options Magazine has seen many changes throughout the organization & within the communities we write for. Whether it’s ups or downs, changes are an inevitable part of an organization like ours blessed with decades of longevity. As a board, we are so happy to announce new members and a new editor this year. In 2024, we are embracing the mantra that “hope is an action,” which fits us all so well in these trying times.

It’s no secret that our shared experiences this year and in years past bond us and make us strong.

However, certain experiences can also make us feel separated from society as individual people and as members of a marginalized community, which makes advocacy, activism and support even more important. Policies and laws targeting LGBTQ+ rights have been introduced in Rhode Island and across the country this year and anti-trans rhetoric continues to spread. There are factions of our society who seek to dehumanize and marginalize us, so our fight is far Board Chair, Taylor Neptune

from over! As activists, we must transform our hope into acts of solidarity and advocacy at many levels.

Options Magazine has been a platform for queer hope, joy, art and intellect for over 40 years, and we pledge to carry on with the same passion, education, and queer advocacy efforts ingrained in us by our predecessors. While remaining true to long-cherished beliefs, values, and appreciation for our queer history, we are also ushering in much needed change & further introspection into what our loyal audience wants and needs. Looking into the future has never felt more promising, and we hope to hear from you all so we can most effectively use our platform to make all of your voices heard.

Together, our “hope in action” can surpass anything we ever expected and create lasting change and growth. We at Options are striving to share your stories with our state’s diverse and beautiful queer communities. LGBTQ is more than just an acronym – it encompasses all of our shared struggles and lifestyles. Creating and maintaining a sense of community is our true measure of success, and the more connected our community of writers and readers is, the more of an impact we have on each other and the people around us. We are eternally grateful to you, our readers. As we aim for the moon, we hope to gather as many new, bright stars as we can along the way. Thank you all for sharing and reading.

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NEWS BRIEFS

By Zane Wolfang

Leading with Love

Local Providence awarded perfect score in LGBTQ+ equality survey

Providence earned a perfect score in 2023 on the Human Right Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index (MEI). The city has earned this grade every year since 2014. The MEI measures the inclusivity of municipal laws, policies, and services for LGBTQIA+ community members and rates cities’ non-discrimination laws, equity in municipal services, law enforcement practices, and hiring practices.

“At a time where LGBTQ+ rights are under attack on the national level, Providence continues to protect its diverse communities with city ordinances and policies,” said Mayor Brett P. Smiley, who is himself a proudly married gay man. “Over the next three years, my administration will continue to improve every aspect of our local quality of life and make Providence a place anyone can thrive.”

Melissa R. DuBose becomes first black and first LGBTQ judge to serve US District Court in Providence

Judge Melissa R. DuBose was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on March 12, 2024 for her appointment by President Joe Biden to the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. She is the first person of color and the first LGBTQ judge to serve on the bench.

DuBose, a lifelong Rhode Islander who taught in the Providence Public School System before going to law school, follows in the footsteps of Providence native O.

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Rogeriee Thompson, who was the first black woman to serve on Rhode Island District Court, Rhode Island Superior Court, and on the First U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston.

RI Senate passes bill to defend LGBTQ+ and reproductive healthcare access

The Healthcare Provider Shield Act, which must also be passed by the RI House of Representatives in order to become state law, will protect medical providers who provide transgender and reproductive health care services in Rhode Island from civil or criminal suits from other states or their residents. The Senate bill (SB2262) was sponsored by Sen. Dawn Euer (D-Dist. 13, Jamestown, Newport), and its companion bill in the House (H7577) is sponsored by Rep. John Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Tiverton).

Tiara Mack spearheads reform of RI name change laws

Rhode Island’s legislature passed a bill in May, sponsored by Sen. Tiara Mack and Rep. Robert Craven, to simplify the process for a legal name change. The reforms, including waiving court costs for low income people and removing the public notice requirement for legal name changes, will alleviate barriers and safety risks for survivors of domestic violence and transgender people, two groups of Rhode Islanders who often seek legal name changes.

Mack said in a Facebook post, “Standardizing the legal name change process in all 39 RI probate courts will ensure fewer barriers for those seeking to change their

name. Whether you are trans, non-binary, a survivor of domestic abuse, a divorcee, or getting married, the process to change your legal name shouldn’t be cumbersome or expensive.”

Congress bans Pride flags at U.S. embassies worldwide

Buried in the 1,012-page, $1.2 trillion federal spending package passed in March to avert a government shutdown was a provision banning the flying of Pride flags at U.S. Embassies around the world. Prior to the bill’s passage, Secretary of State Antony Blinken had been supportive of embassies flying the rainbow flag during Pride month.

The Biden administration stated that it was “inappropriate to abuse the process that is essential to keep the government open by including this policy targeting LGBTQI+ Americans,” and also said the Democratic party blocked more than 50 other policies “attacking the LGBTQI+ community” that Republicans tried to insert into the legislation. Biden signed the bill into law on March 23.

ACLU tracking 515 antiLGBTQ bills nationwide

The American Civil Liberties Union says that in the past few years, states have advanced a record number of bills that attack LGBTQ rights. While more states every year are passing laws to protect LGBTQ people, the ACLU is tracking 515 bills across the country that target transgender people and in particular transgender youth, limit local protections, weaken civil rights, and allow the use of religion to discriminate.

According to the ACLU, six bills have been filed in Rhode Island to roll back

LGBTQ rights, along with two bills in Massachusetts, 15 in New Hampshire (that’s three more than have been filed in Florida), two in Vermont, and two in Maine. Connecticut is the only New England state where the ACLU has not flagged any antiLGBTQ legislation.

United Methodist Church repeals longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy

United Methodist delegates at their national General Conference on May 1 voted overwhelmingly in favor of repealing their church’s longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy.

“It seemed like such a simple vote, but it carried so much weight and power, as 50 years of restricting the Holy Spirit’s call on people’s lives has been lifted,” said Bishop Karen Oliveto, the first openly lesbian bishop in the United Methodist Church.

According to the Associated Press, delegates are also expected to vote soon on whether to replace the denomination’s official Social Principles with a new document that no longer calls the “practice of homosexuality … incompatible with Christian teaching” and that will define marriage as between “two people of faith” rather than between a man and a woman.

against all sex-based harassment and discrimination, and clarify the steps a school must take to protect students, employees, and applicants from discrimination based on pregnancy or related conditions. The rule also protects against discrimination based on sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.

Biden Administration’s new Title IX regulations protect LGBTQ+ students from discrimination

The U.S. Department of Education released in April its Final Rule under Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. The final regulations protect optionsri.org

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HOPE IS AN ACTION THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF LGBTQ+ LEADERS IN SECURING AMERICAN DEMOCRACY

By Matt McDermott The story of American democracy has been punctuated throughout its history by defining moments that test our fundamental commitment to the ideals of freedom and equality. Today, we face one such defining moment. The rise of Donald Trump and his MAGA movement starkly challenges our democratic norms in its aim to undermine our electoral process and erode public trust in government institutions.

Amid these threats, our foundational principles teeter on the brink, and many Americans have been driven into a profound sense of hopelessness. As the November election approaches, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

But history shows us that when America’s principles are under threat, the antidote has always been hope.

It seems trite, but it’s true. Far from wishful thinking, hope demands active determination and engagement. From abolitionism to civil rights to women’s suffrage, hope has manifested in American history not through idle desires but through the concrete actions of dedicated people that drive the changes we seek. Hope compels us to take decisive steps and engage in the meaningful work necessary to transform our aspirations into tangible outcomes, making a significant impact in our lives and the lives of others.

Hope means not only defending our core ideals but broadening their influence, propelling America

“With the future of American democracy at stake in this election, there has never been a more crucial time to work collectively towards a more inclusive, equitable, and representative government.”

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toward a more inclusive interpretation of its founding principles. It involves a diligent, deliberative effort to ensure that our democracy genuinely represents all its citizens. True hope is found in a government that embodies its people — a government of, by, and for the people.

With the future of American democracy at stake in this election, there has never been a more crucial time to work collectively towards a more inclusive, equitable, and representative government. Without a diverse array of voices at the table, including those from the LGBTQ+ community, our democracy risks becoming unresponsive and disconnected from the very people it is meant to serve.

Even in these perilous times, there are reasons to feel a sense of hope. In 2022, a record-breaking 1,065 out LGBTQ+ individuals ran for office across the United States, from rural school boards to highstakes gubernatorial races, with more than 430 achieving victory on Election Day. A recent “When We Run” report by the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute offers an unprecedented look at the motivations and challenges faced by these LGBTQ+ candidates. Their motivation to run comes not from a desire for personal gain but from a selfless drive to improve their communities. Despite being fully aware of risks including anti-LGBTQ harassment, doubts about their electoral viability, and legislative efforts that threaten their very existence, they persevere, committed to enacting positive change.

Hope is found in the journey of figures like Sarah McBride, a 33-year-old Delaware state senator vying this year to become the first transgender member of Congress in American history. My husband Dillon and I had the chance to host a reception for Sarah at our home in Providence. Sarah shared a story about her start in the political arena, an opportunity she had early in her career to potentially intern on Capitol Hill. She spoke about the fear and anxiety she felt at the time, when she would have been the first trans person to ever work in the halls of Congress. Fast

forward to now – with Sarah positioned as the front runner in her congressional race, on the cusp of becoming the first out trans person ever elected to fedSarah McBride with the Author. eral office in America, we are able to see and understand that progress that is still happening in front of our eyes.

Over the past decade, the United States has seen some significant advancements in LGBTQ+ equality, marked by landmark legal decisions and growing societal acceptance. Although these advances have been uneven across the country, we have seen the legalization and legislative codification of marriage equality nationwide, as well as improvements to LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination laws in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

Visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ+ Americans continues to grow, helping to shift public perceptions and increase awareness. The courage, resilience and relentless advocacy work of the LGBTQ+ movement continue to drive societal change as we push the boundaries of inclusion and fight for equal rights in all facets of American life.

Despite these notable advancements, in recent years the political landscape for LGBTQ+ candidates has grown increasingly hostile. The arena is now a battleground of bigotry, where LGBTQ+ individuals frequently confront hateful legislation and attacks.

This arena extends to our own backyard. Rhode Island Republican Representative Patricia Morgan introduced in March House Bill 2024-H 7884, a piece of extremist legislation which aims to prohibit gender-affirming care for minors.

Morgan has also introduced legislation that aims to ban the participation of transgender athletes in school sports. This legislation not only threatens the rights and well-being of our transgender youth, but underscores a broader societal reluctance to fully sup-

port freedom for LGBTQ+ Americans.

These legislative attacks are not isolated incidents, but part of a wider struggle.

Bills like these undersc ore why we need to platform and elect diverse voices at all levels of government. The stark reality of representation and power dynamics is that if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu. Without a presence in the room where decisions are made, LGBTQ+ Americans risk having their interests overlooked at best, and actively attacked at worst. Strong representation ensures that the diversity of the American experience is reflected in the bodies who make our laws, bringing invaluable lived experiences to legislative halls and influencing policies to be more inclusive and just.

Despite the frustrations, disappointments, and apathy that many feel towards politics today, there remains much to be hopeful for. The resilience of the LGBTQ+ community, told through the story of candidates like Sarah McBride, serves as a reminder that although the road may be fraught with challenges, progress is being made, and the fight for equality and justice continues.

Since America’s founding nearly 250 years ago, every step toward inclusivity has been a step toward strengthening the fabric of American democracy. Securing a diverse government is not just a political ideal but a necessary condition for a functioning democracy. In a time marked by real and present threats to our democratic institutions, it is more important than ever to advocate for and support a government that embodies the full diversity of the American people, ensuring that democracy of, by, and for the people – in its truest sense – prevails.

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WHY QUEER AND TRANS JEWS FIGHT FOR PALESTINIAN LIBERATION

By Jackie Goldman

O

n a warm Sunday morning in April, I was getting ready to play ultimate frisbee at India Point Park. I was warming up with someone in the group and I mentioned that I needed to leave early to head to a Jewish-led Palestine solidarity event. Every Sunday, I lead a grief space for those killed in Gaza where we meet at the Providence pedestrian bridge by Plant City to share teachings, songs, and poems. We end with the mourner’s kaddish, the Jewish prayer of mourning.

In response to this my friend just said, “That seems ironic.” The comment took me off guard. To many, the fact that I am queer, trans and Jewish seems to stand at odds with the fact that I spend my nights and weekends fighting for a free Palestine; however, I see all of my identities as core components of the reason why I fight for Palestine.

For decades, queer and trans Jews have been a visible part of the Palestine solidarity struggle, especially here in the United States. Like many queer and trans Jews, I organize with Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), the largest Jewish anti-Zionist grassroots organization in the country. In the local Rhode Island chapter, many of our leaders are queer and trans peo-

A pro-Palestinian protest at the White House in November 2023.

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ple. There has never been another point in my life where I have gotten to be in community with this many queer and trans Jews.

Having lost so much Jewish community over politics since October 7th, and having already been at the margins of normative Jeiwsh community as a non-binary person, I have found a home in JVP. At a meeting this winter, having gone around the circle with our names and pronouns, I realized that at least 75% of us were trans or gender nonconforming.

While this is not normal at a synagogue, it does seem fairly typical of young, anti-Zionist Jewish organizers.

As queer and trans people, we are already deeply tapped into intersectional fights for liberation with the understanding that all struggles are intrinsically linked, because all systems of oppression reinforce one another and cannot be fought in isolation. Let’s use policing as an example to dive into this further.

The kind of police force and violence used against queer and trans folks during the Stonewall Riots is inflicted on Palestinians every day. Under Israeli occupation and apartheid, all Palestinian people experience overpolicing, surveillance, and violence.

Given that American police and the Israeli military in non-orthodox synagogues, I am used to being surexchange training, weapons, and software, the ways rounded by people who are not like me and do not unin which Palestinians and marginalized Americans derstand my life experience. After having already come are policed has significant overlap. out to my parents about my sexuality at 23, and my For example, during the Black Lives Matter progender identity at 27, I had to “come out” again to them tests in 2020, a movement with significant queer at age 30 about my anti-Zionist identity. This political and trans black leadership, the Baltimore police decoming out actually went the worst of all of them, but partment was shown to have used excessive force it was necessary. that was directly linked to the training they received I have spent the past years lying to them about from the Israeli military. It is clear how my fight as my politics and the organizing I do, and I even lied queer and trans person is linked to Black and Palesto them about spending almost two weeks in the octinian liberation. All of us are fighting for safety from cupied West Bank visiting Palestinians on the othan establishment that has always defended white, er side of the apartheid wall. While navigating this cis-hetero patriarchy. strain in our relationship has been challenging, I also These kinds of links are why it makes sense that feel better knowing that I am more fully living out many leaders within the Palestine solidarity space my morals as an anti-Zionist Jew. are also queer and trans Jews. Sarah Schulman, a Long before October 7th, 2023, there was already queer, Jewish woman and one of the founders of Jewso much about Judaism and questions of belonging ish Voice for Peace, was also instrumental in the ACT in the mainstream Jewish community that I had UP movement. Since the early 2000’s, Schulman to interrogate and reimagine for myself. I never felt has advocated for aligned poacademic boycotts litically with against Israel and the people I “After having already come out to my parents vocally called out was sharing the practice of ritual space about my sexuality at 23, and my gender identity “pinkwashing.” with. I felt, at 27, I had to “come out” again to them at age Pinkwashing is and still feel, 30 about my anti-Zionist identity. This political a tactic used by inthat many stitutions and corof my fellow coming out actually went the worst of all of them, porations around Jews have so but it was necessary.” the world. It is used thoroughly by the Israeli govmisunderernment to distract stood what the world from their Judaism tells human rights violations against Palestinians, tokenizing us about the fight for justice and the value of life. pro-LGBTQ culture to use as a veneer of false liberalism.

Seeing as I already had to question how much I Though Israel has highly publicized pride parades and thought about my place in Judaism, it also felt natqueer nightlife, the fact is that right-wing homophobia is ural to question and refute Zionism in its entirety, normative in Israeli culture, and gay marriage is not legal both as a concept and as a backbone to American in Israel.

Jewish identity.

As a queer person, I fight for Palestine because There is a level of complacency that exists when no amount of rainbow capitalism can cover up the you can show up in a space and know that you are fact that the Israeli government is homophobic, inliving the normative experience. You do not have to tolerant, and racist. Superficial public relations camquestion why systems function as they do because paigns voicing support for LGBTQIA+ rights are not they work for you. In understanding links of oppresgoing to distract me from Israel’s exploitation, mass sion and what it means to be in solidarity with peomurder, displacement, and imprisonment of Palesple with different lived experience than I do, I am tinians. proud to have moral clarity about why it is that I I know what it is like to live in the margins of stand with other queer and trans Jews as a member the mainstream. For me as a non-binary Jewish perof Jewish Voice for Peace. son, I have been unable to participate in many family functions that maintain gender segregation, and even optionsri.org

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WOONSOCKET PRIDE RESTORING HOPE IN OUR COMMUNITY

By Alex Kithes

T

he annual Woonsocket Pride celebration is and we passed the resolution. entering its 4th year in our incredible city. It was Sadly, the Mayor ignored requests from local started by a planning committee of community organizers to coordinate the flag raising ceremony. organizers in partnership with a grassroots, commu“That sparked the spirit of direct action that Woonnity-empowerment-based organization called Rebuild socket Pride has carried since,” explained Ken BarWoonsocket which I co-founded and currently serve ber, a long-time organizer who helped build Woonas director. socket Pride into what it is today. “We took matters Woonsocket Pride has grown as an event and into our own hands, and held the pride flag raising movement over the past four years, and so has our event without input, support, or directions from the need for resources and organizer capacity. This year, administration.” we took the big step of forming a new nonprofit orIn true form, yet ever-more-surprising in the depths ganization, Woonsocket Pride, to carry the mantle of her animosity, the former mayor had the flag taken into the future. Things have never looked better for down and started a smear campaign with local conserWoonsocket’s LGBTQ+ community – but it vative media to bash us. “From [that point on], wasn’t always this easy. the city’s stance on Woonsocket Pride was The year was 2020. COVID-19 clear,” said Barber. had just started community The next few years of spread in the U.S., and nearly Woonsocket Pride could just as everything was shut down, easily be themed “Overcoming including Pride events Adversity” or “You’ve Got to Woonsocket Pride has across the country and be Kidding Me.” The Woongrown as an event and right here in RI. The outsocket Pride organizers look of the pandemic was came together with Rebuild movement over the past really bleak. I had been Woonsocket to plan the first four years, and so has our elected to the Woonsocket Woonsocket Pride festival need for resources and City Council the previous in 2021, and faced every unyear, and I had also come derhanded tactic and every organizer capacity. out of the closet on New bit of bureaucratic red tape Year’s Eve at 27 years old. the former mayor could muster I was fighting hard for to delay, obstruct, and countour community, for hope and er-program our efforts. for some semblance of economic proOur goal was primarily a joyous tection as the pandemic worsened every and exciting celebration of and for Wooninequity and injustice and the world seemed to socket’s queer community, but the former maybe crumbling around us. Advocacy efforts on behalf or’s obstruction forced us to turn it into a protest as of Woonsocket’s queer population were opposed time well. Hundreds of community members gathered toand time again by an unsympathetic and often very gether with supporting organizations and mutual aid hostile former mayor and former council majority. organizers to disrupt traffic and march from River Our movement to create Woonsocket Pride was Island Park to WWII Memorial Park to continue the no exception to this hostile reaction. We started with first-ever Woonsocket Pride festival and rally. the idea for a flag raising ceremony in June of 2020, The following year, in 2022, the far-right former which was strongly opposed by then-Mayor Baldelcity council finally approved a permit for Woonsockli-Hunt and a few council members who really liked et Pride, but instructed the Woonsocket Police Deto hear themselves talk. But public pressure won out, partment to “keep an eye on us,” along with voic12

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ing some ridiculous and offensive dog-whistles about protecting kids. However, with our efforts growing, and feeling less hindered by political opposition than in the inaugural year, hundreds of people attended the 2022 and 2023 Woonsocket Pride festivals.

Our 2022 event featured many organizations providing resources like mobile HIV testing, voter registration, harm reduction, parent, family and youth support, craft time with our local public library, and more. The entertainment included drag performances, speeches, spoken word poetry, and musicians. We held a beautiful event - all while police cruisers surveilled us from the other side of the park.

“Being able to celebrate together each year, gathering together with our community in the spirit of arts, culture, and empowerment, has been pretty amazing,” said Leia Fifer, a trans and genderfluid community advocate who works as a central organizer for Woonsocket Pride.

“It’s definitely worth all of the work we put into it each year.”

This year, our vision as a

strong community presence is coming together and reaching new heights. We’ve been met with a warm response from the new mayor’s office and genuine support from members of the new council majority. We’ve always been on the right side of history, and we appreciate the new mayor and new council members’ support and recognition.

With six hours of entertainment planned alongside the attendance of local vendors, artists, food trucks, and organizations, our priority is to uplift the LGBTQ+ community of Woonsocket and the community of Woonsocket in general. For too long we were met with hostility by our own city government, but Woonsocket Pride is here to stay. As our annual celebration grows, our goal is to use the festival as a fundraiser for direct action programs including an emergency cash assistance program for local LGBTQ+ folks and support for multiple organizations which serve the local community in a variety of ways.

The diverse, working-class community of Woonsocket has long carried a spirit of civil disobedience and perseverance in

the face of unsympathetic powers-that-be. And LGBTQ+ people across the generations have a storied history of caring for each other and uplifting their communities. Woonsocket Pride holds this spirit in our roots and in our vision for the future. We’re looking forward to our biggest celebration ever in 2024, and all of the important work to come.

The 2024 Woonsocket Pride Festival will take place on Sunday, June 9th, from 12 pm to 6 pm in River Island Park in Woonsocket. You can follow us on socials @ WoonsocketPride, and contact us at woonsocketpride@gmail.com.

Woonsocket Pride March

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FELICITATIONS: TYLER (WITH THANKS TO WILLIAM BLAKE)

By Felicia Nimue Ackerman Tyler Tyler, burning bright In the forests of the night, What immoral hand or eye Will your transition nullify?

Will your foes throw down their spears Or will they cling to hate and fears?

Are you ready to defy them, Helped by allies who decry them?

In what ignorance and fear Dare your foes both far and near Seek to squash your surging soul Striving to achieve its goal?

Tyler Tyler, burning bright In the forests of the night, What immoral hand or eye Will your transition nullify?

Why the meanness? why the pain?

In what furnace is the brain Of a fool who cannot see You’ll be who you need to be?

“Tyler” is part of the poem series Feliciatations by Felicia Nimue Ackerman. Ackerman is a professor of philosophy at Brown University and has published over 300 poems in a wide variety of publications.

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LAVENDER SCARE TACTICS A TRUE STORY ABOUT THE U.S. GOVERNMENT BEING MORE HOMOPHOBIC THAN AL-QAEDA

By Zane Wolfang

“G

uantanamo was not a safe place to be out,” erally portrayed to and perceived by the world as a said Tim Semmerling, who in 2015 was cruel, homophobic mass murderer. intentionally outed by his colleagues to “It’s very difficult to fight a myth,” said Semtheir client, a high-ranking Al-Qaeda operative facing merling, who says that Al-Qaeda does adhere to very the death penalty for his alleged role in planning the homophobic ideological views, and states that ‘Atash infamous September 11, 2001 attacks. defended him despite the fact that he was gay rather Semmerling, a defense attorney with a PhD in than because of it. “How am I going to go out and say, Arabic who specializes in post-sentencing adjudica‘Hey, this guy from Al-Qaeda defended me when my tion with a focus on mitigating death penalties and own government wouldn’t?’” reducing life sentences, has written a shocking per“It’s a tough statement to make, but it’s a true sonal account of his experience being intentionally one,” he continued. “But [people] don’t want to hear outed by his fellow Americans to a man they believed that. They want to hear that these guys are just to be a vicious homophobe and a dangerous terrorist. downright evil, there’s nothing good about them, His story speaks to the living legacy of the Lavender there’s nothing to say for them; that they’re not even Scare, and exposes human.” greed, corruption, Even now, years “His story speaks to the living legacy of the and homophobia at later, Semmerling the highest levels sounds incredulous Lavender Scare, and exposes greed, corruption, of the U.S. governwhen he relates the and homophobia at the highest levels of the U.S. ment. tale of his colleagues government.”

Even more surnot only making a prising than the clear effort to ruin fact that Semmerhis career with ling was outed, betrayed, and fired under false and 1950s-era, McCarthy-style Lavender Scare smear homophobic pretexts by a member of the U.S. Militactics, but also attempting to put him in danger by tary and an employee of the Department of Defense publicly outing him to ‘Atash, a man credibly accused is the fact that after learning about Semmerling’s by the United States government of planning the queer identity, his client – a Muslim terrorism susmurder of thousands of American citizens on 9/11. pect being held at Guantanamo Bay – is the one who He had seen Schwartz and Bormann slander and stepped in to defend his character. sabotage multiple other members of ‘Atash’s large legal This was Tim’s improbable odyssey: after he was team before they decided to turn on him – with govsmeared, slandered, and outed by U.S. Army Captain ernment-funded salaries reaching up to $500,000 Mike Schwartz and Department of Defense lawyer per year, Schwartz and Bormann developed a calcuCheryl Bormann, Al-Qaeda operative Walid Bin lated strategy to keep themselves “indispensable” to ‘Atash wrote multiple letters to the judge presiding the case and keep the lucrative paychecks coming by over the U.S. Military Tribunal trying his case to deremoving any talented team members they perceived fend Semmerling and accuse Schwartz and Bormann as a threat. In Semmerling’s case, his fluency in Arof carrying out a personal vendetta. abic, his deep knowledge of Islam and Arab culture, Semmerling is poignant and pensive in his reflecand his unique ability to forge an interpersonal contions on the bewildering experience of being betrayed nection with the generally aloof and incommunicaby his own people on the basis of his private sexual tive ‘Atash put a target on his back. preference and subsequently defended by a man genHe was fired in 2015, and it was not until optionsri.org

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months later that he Some of Semmerfound out Schwartz ling’s colleagues on and Bormann had the legal team who told ‘Atash the reahe had considered to son they fired him be his close friends was not only that he were actually in on was gay, but that he Schwartz and Borwas sexually attractmann’s plan to force ed to ‘Atash. They him out, had declined later repeated these to speak up in his claims as defendants defense out of conin a federal lawsuit cerns for their own filed by Semmerling. career, and were too Their crude atashamed to let him tempts to smear know what had actuSemmerling and sabally happened. otage his career are When a former reminiscent of the colleague finally told supposedly bygone him, he was furiyears of the Lavenous. From 2016 to der Scare, the Cold 2020, Semmerling War-era witch hunt filed complaints and which saw thoulawsuits through sands of gay federal the Department of employees lose their Defense, the Washjobs in the wake of ington Headquarters Congress releasing Services Equal Emreports with titles ployment Opportunilike “Employment ties Office, the Illinois Tim Semmerling with his pets. of Homosexuals and Attorney Registraother Sex Perverts in government” which concluded tion and Disciplinary Commission, the Federal Torts that homosexuals were “unsuitable for employment Claim Act, and the 7th Circuit U.S. District Court. in the Federal Government” and constituted “securiEvery complaint was denied, and every lawsuit was ty risks in positions of public trust.” dismissed.

Both Schwartz and Bormann were fully aware On the verge of giving up after years of being disthat Al-Qaeda adheres to an anti-LGBTQ ideology, missed by the government at every turn, he decided and both of them also knew that Semmerling was to change his tactics. “When you’re fighting Goli‘Atash’s favorite member of their 14-member team ath, you cannot fight them on their terms,” he said. and the only one he “That was why I would regularly endecided to write the gage with. The only book. You cannot “Their crude attempts to smear thing that foiled fight them on their their plan to determs; you’ve got to Semmerling and sabotage his career are stroy Semmerling’s find your own inner reminiscent of the supposedly bygone reputation and castrength, and fight reer was that ‘Atash them at that posiyears of the Lavender Scare” turned out to be far tion. What was my less homophobic inner strength? It than they were: he was writing books.” stubbornly and tenaciously insisted on defending Before he became a high-powered defense lawyer Semmerling’s character, professionalism, and decenworking on top secret cases at Guantanamo, Semcy regardless of his sexuality. merling earned his PhD in Arabic and published 16

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multiple books. Before that, he had a long career as and the other sustained multiple cut wounds to his a flight attendant. And before all of that, he was a face. Only 19 years old at the time, the guilt, shame, young student at Northeastern University who truly and fear he felt in that situation and its aftermath came into his own in the gay scene of early 1980s stayed with him for the rest of his life.

Boston, going out to Buddies on Boylston every Sat“Why do you think I wrote this book?” he asked urday night and finding queer community for the rhetorically. “Because I’m not going to let that hapfirst time with his coworkers at the Magic Pan. pen again. I was 19 years old; I was too young, I was His time in Bostoo afraid [to do anyton was an awakthing]…so now when ening, and a far cry this thing happens “Only 19 years old at the time, the guilt, from his upbringing in Guantanamo Bay on a horse farm in ruand I’m in my 50s, shame, and fear he felt in that situation ral northern Illinois they want me to just and its aftermath stayed with him for the where the only gay go away? Fuck that. rest of his life. “ bar to be found was I’m going to fight this a two-room cindertime. I can’t do that block shack over an again to my commuhour away in neighnity.” boring Wisconsin. He laughed as he remembered his “Whether you hit me in the head with a baseball first few weeks as a college student; before he learned bat, or you go and you forcibly out me and destroy the ins and outs of the local scene, he wrote a letter my career, it’s still gay bashing,” he continued. “So to a friend in Chicago about how he couldn’t find any the fact that the government did this to me and tried gay men in the entire city. to destroy my career, that’s still gay bashing. So I was He grew somber as he related another memory not going to let that happen twice. Not to me, and from 1980s Boston, when six men followed him and more importantly not to those two guys who symtwo co-workers from the Magic Pan to the Governbolize [to me] everybody else in this community.” ment Center T Station. He escaped down the stairs, My Enemy, My Defender by Tim Semmerling is but his two friends were surrounded and viciously currently available for presale, and will be published beaten. It was his first experience with gay bashing on October 1 by Skyhorse Publishing.

– one friend was beaten so badly his arm was broken,

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CHATTERING CLASSES ACTIVISM IS THE BEST REMEDY TO AUTHORITARIANISM

By Alex Morash

W

hether it is college campus crackdowns, on April 25 at a college campus as police trapped, atfailed coup attempts, police brutality tacked, and rounded up 118 peaceful antiwar protestagainst Black Lives Matter and pro-Palers was not taken in a red state: the violent repression estine protesters, bans on Transgender health care, of peaceful protesters took place at Emerson College in or using the National Guard to stop fare evasion on Democratic Party-controlled Boston, Massachusetts. the New York City subway, the last four years have The violence was so intense one witness quoted by seen both parties increasingly embrace the tactics WGBH described the scene as “horrific.” of authoritarian regimes. As both parties tell us we Two days later, Boston police continued their have no alternative this November, they remind us roundups and arrested another 100 students at that elections are not everything – sometimes change Northeastern University. Massachusetts’ Democratic can only happen on the streets.

Governor Maura Healey – an out Lesbian – came out In the lead-up to the overthrow of democracy in support of the police actions at both Emerson and in early 20th century Germany, the parliament was Northeastern. burned to the ground and far-right paramilitary The Washington Post reported that in the final groups committed violence without consequence. In two weeks of April, over 2,000 people had been ar2017, police stood by as violent white supremacists rested at college antiwar protests. Rounding up colstaged an armed rally in Charlottesville, VA, and lege students by the hundreds is not an action one drove a car into sees in a healthy counter-prodemocracy.

In testers, injuring fact, the number roughly a dozen of antiwar pro“This holds serious implications for LGBTQ and killing antestors arrested people. Far-right regimes, authoritarianism, other. On January in the United banning dissent, police and military violence, 6, 2020, Donald States at the Trump’s supporttime of writing fascism, and the end of basic rights would all ers stormed the this column eedestroy Queer and Trans communities.”

United States Caprily mirrors that itol. On August 25, of Russia’s mass 2020, Kyle Ritarrests of its cittenhouse shot and izens protesting killed two Black Lives Matter protesters. the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Trump is openly discussing pardoning January 6 On April 30, police stood by for over 3 hours as insurrectionists if he takes back the White House. In a group of 100 masked men launched a paramilitary 2021, a court absolved Rittenhouse of any crimes. At attack on a group of antiwar college protesters. One the same time the far right has embraced paramilihistorian on early 20th-century Germany stated tary violence, the Washington State Republican Party alarm over how the attack – both in how a militant passed anti-democracy resolutions at their state congroup staged an attack on political opponents and in vention. That isn’t hyperbole – one delegate who advohow the government refused to intervene – mirrored cated to end the ability to vote for U.S. Senators stated the rise of fascism nearly 90 years ago. The attack “we do not want to be a democracy,” while one resoludidn’t happen at a college campus in Texas or Florida, tion that passed asked Republicans to stop using the but at UCLA in deep blue Los Angeles, California. word democracy altogether.

These incidents followed round-ups of college These authoritarian activities are not relegated students in a third Democratic-controlled state, New to one party. Video footage of violent chaos unfolding York. In fact, New York City has been so violent in its 18

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mass arrests of antiwar student protesters that Natasha Lennard of The Intercept, who has covered protest arrests for 15 years, described the New York Police Department’s actions as “unhinged.”

This all happened just one month after the state’s Democratic governor, Kathy Hochul, deployed the National Guard to patrol New York City’s subway system.

Recent government actions have been so terrible that on May 1, a Jacobin Magazine report on the mass arrests used language press typically uses to describe crackdowns in dictatorships. In the article, reporter Branko Marcetic referred to New York City Mayor Eric Adams as “an authoritarian member of the ruling Biden government’s party.” President Joe Biden the next day released a statement

where he claimed “we are not an authoritarian nation where we silence people or squash dissent,” only to then lecture student protesters, imply that they are lawless, and urge the dissenters to quiet down.

This holds serious implications for LGBTQ people. Far-right regimes, authoritarianism, banning dissent, police and military violence, fascism, and the end of basic rights would all destroy Queer and Trans communities. For those who need a more direct line to follow, remember that paramilitary attack on UCLA’s campus. The Guardian has reported that members of that same paramilitary group have a history of anti-LGBTQ activities.

Right here in New England, a similar paramilitary group based in Massachusetts, the Nation-

al Socialist Club (NSC-131) has launched multiple attacks in the Bay State and Rhode Island – often targeting LGBTQ people. This includes attacks on Red Ink Library and at Drag Queen Story hours. In fact, the attacks on Red Ink tend to include explicitly homophobic messages.

Democrats would say this is proof we have only one choice: to vote for them. Yet, having only one option isn’t a choice at all – especially when that option is so quick to sic the police and military on its own citizens. As elected leaders from both parties in New England and across the country embrace crackdowns that mirror the behavior of repressive regimes, and paramilitary groups launch attacks while these leaders stand by, it is becoming clear

Historical image of Options standing up for LGBTQ rights.

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that voting isn’t enough. Our elected officials need only listen to the rich. a lesson in democracy which can only be provided If elected officials have become so insulated to by activism. the public that they only move policy when it has One may notice that to get the slight changes in U.S. the backing of big business or when activists take policy we have seen, antiwar protestors have forced the things to extremes, that isn’t democracy – it is chaos. evacuation of the Democratic Party National HeadquarBe it healthcare, LGBTQ rights, housing, educaters, shut down the California Democratic Party state tion, worker rights, or any other issue focused on c o nve nimproving t i o n , p e o p l e ’s hounded lives, “votpoliticians ing hard“If elected officials have become so insulated to the public anywhere er” has not that they only move policy when it has the backing of big and everyled to vicwhere, and tories. Inbusiness or when activists take things to extremes, that brought stead, we isn’t democracy – it is chaos.” disruption see that to dozens only masof cities sive puband college lic actions campuses. One may also notice that such extreme tacseem to slightly move our leaders. Looking at the betics having such a minor effect are a glaring reminder of havior and policies of both parties, it seems clear our how undemocratic our nation has become. In fact, prior state, our region, and our nation have become more to these massive disruptive actions, political scientists authoritarian and less democratic. Yes, voting is at had found no relation to public opinion and changes in best a minor act of progress. Yes, things look bleak for public policy, finding instead that politicians in the U.S. Queer and Trans people and anyone else who isn’t a billionaire. And yet yes, there is still hope.

Options standing up for LGBTQ rights in 1998.

There is so much hope for our future because people have put activism into action. Those antiwar protesters have been disrupting politics and civil society for months. They have been derided by politicians in both parties, college presidents, business leaders, and even some members of the press. Yet, just as ACT UP protesters in the 1980s forced necessary change in how the United States discussed HIV despite being routinely vilified and marginalized, these young people have withstood everything and have changed how our nation discusses Palestine.

They show no sign of slowing down. There is so much hope too because it is unlikely this generation will stop at one issue as they enter the political arena. Today’s activism is likely to continue into LGBTQ rights, housing, health care, labor rights, and so much more.

In our modern political reality, voting or reaching out to your elected officials won’t cut it. If one wants to stop authoritarianism, protect Queer and Trans peoples, or make any change in our society, we have to be activists too. It is now a constant struggle. One cannot make change politely. One must look at their goals, size up the weak points of those in power, and disrupt business as usual.

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June 2024

DOES LOVE LIVE IN SEEKONK? A NONPROFIT IS SILENCED BY A LOCAL PUBLICATION RIGHT-WING CONSERVATIVES WANT YOU TO BELIEVE THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY IS GROOMING YOUR CHILDREN. MEANWHILE, SEEKONK PUBLICATIONS ARE SILENCING THE WRONG VOICES.

By Kwana Adams It all started with the abrupt cancellation of a school dance.

In March 2023, an elementary school in Seekonk, Massachusetts decided at the last minute to cancel a long-scheduled dance because multiple adults complained to administration about the language on the flier for the event, which welcomed “all boys, students who identify as boys, or any non-binary students.”

Pam Godsoe’s son was a student at the elementary school,

and she had to deliver the bad news to him when he got off the bus that afternoon. Godsoe had some unique insight into the situation because another mom she was friends with had confided to Godsoe that her child “didn’t know who she wanted to be,” and wanted to attend the boy’s dance.

Efforts to make this student and other students feel welcomed were part of the impetus for the inclusive wording on the flier.

However, that inclusive lan-

guage proved too much for some other parents to tolerate, and they complained to school administration. The dance was subsequently canceled due to the backlash from those parents. After seeing the effort by some of their fellow parents to cancel the event, Godsoe and another parent named Kris Lyons came up with the idea for Love Lives in Seekonk, a nonprofit which tries to spread love and create an inclusive environment for LGBTQ youth and families.

Love Lives in Seekonk board members Joe Novinson, Kris Lyons, Pam Godsoe & Melissa Sparks.

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“When it all started, ed in both letters being re“The hate train believes it all came down to, as a moved from The Reporter’s we are doing this for them. straight cisgender parent, website. The Reporter then there’s no guarantee I’m gopublished to its website a We are doing this for the ing to have straight cisgensubsequent letter by Novinkids of Seekonk to feel safe, der children. Regardless of son criticizing discrimiand welcome in our town. what any children grow up nation against Seekonk’s to be, they know that they LGBTQ+ community, but They should be valued and have worth, they are an inthat letter was ultimately welcomed and accepted.” tegral part of this commudeleted as well.

Kris Lyons. nity being who they are,” Novinson was able to said Godsoe. get Barbara Georgia, ownDuring a school comer of The Reporter, on the mittee meeting held after phone in October 2023. the dance was canceled in March 2023, another After their conversation, Georgia republished all community member and parent named Joe Novinof the letters which had been removed from The son stood up and expressed disappointment about Reporter’s website. the cancellation. After the meeting, Lyons and In November 2023, Novinson submitted another Godsoe asked Novinson to join their fledgling orletter, which The Reporter published. It was followed ganization. He became the board director of Love by another mocking letter written by Kanessa Lynn, Lives in Seekonk, and his husband Michael agreed which was also published. The same thing happened to serve as treasurer. again in December.

Love Lives in Seekonk achieved federally recogNovinson then submitted another letter to apnized nonprofit status in August of 2023, and then pear in January 2024, but The Reporter never pubstarted to get the word out about their mission of inlished it. On January 4, 2024, he found out that all of clusivity and advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth and their the previous letters by Love Lives in Seekonk board families via social media and traditional media, inmembers, as well as all of the antagonistic replies cluding by publishing letters in The Seekonk Reportwritten by Lynn, had again been removed from The er, one of Seekonk’s only local media outlets.

Reporter’s website.

This is where things took a turn – following the Novinson explained that he reached out to first letter they published in The Reporter, written by Georgia again to try and get her on the phone and Lyons in September 2023, a Seekonk woman and felask what was going on, but she would not answer low elementary school parent named Kanessa Lynn his calls. She eventually responded via text mesresponded with a mean-spirited letter mocking the sage that The Reporter would no longer be puborganization. Under her signature, she labeled herself lishing any letters from Love Lives in Seekonk or the president of a fictitious parody organization she from the “organization” created to antagonize it, named “Luv Lives in Seekonk.”

Luv Lives in Seekonk.

Lynn is a right-wing conservative who admits Some very basic reporting and research by Georon social media to being a ‘“proud bigot.” She and her gia and The Reporter would have revealed that Love husband Luis Sousa have in the past been involved Lives in Seekonk is a legitimate, locally run orgain verbal altercations, a no trespassing order, and a nization and a functioning, federally recognized lawsuit with the Seekonk School Committee and nonprofit, while “Luv Lives in Seekonk” is just one superintendent. The superintendent announced in homophobic crank spewing hate speech at her neighMarch 2023, in the wake of a legal battle with Sousa bors and their children. and Lynn which garnered attention in some far-right This story is not just about a small town bigot media circles (and was consistently misframed and with a bone to pick; it is about the silence of a local misreported using the classic “bigots as victims” fornews publication which has an obligation to parse mula), that he would be leaving for a different school truth from lies and share news in the best interest district after five years on the job in Seekonk. of the community it serves, especially when a seemAccording to both Novinson and Lyons, after ingly two-sided issue involves one side repeatedly Lynn’s letter was published, somebody called into attacking and vilifying the other.

The Reporter and complained. This complaint result“Barbara Georgia didn’t want to engage in the 22

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Kanessa Lynn regularly posts hateful homophobic and transphobic messages directed at Love Lives in Seekonk on Facebook, including this post on December 10, 2023 of a meme which uses Pride flags to form the image of a Nazi swastika.

controversy…what controversy? LGBTQ people are not a controversy. Giving us no opportunity to express what was going on was frustrating,” said Godsoe. “They didn’t just refuse to print further – they deleted the previous editions that were published and that was the most frustrating thing because now you are literally canceling queer voices. They knew [the other organization] was fake, they just don’t care to fact-check.”

Meanwhile, in a public Facebook group called Seekonk Residents, Kanessa Lynn continues to post anti-LGBTQ+ messages about Love Lives in Seekonk, including messages referring to its board members as “groomers,” posting their addresses, posting their photos, and in one message even referring to Lyons’ biracial daughter as “ghetto gutter trash.”

During a school committee meeting on January 8, 2024, Lynn stood up and stated, “The Love Lives in Seekonk organization are groomers, plain and simple. Anyone who supports them are also groomers. If any of you up there (points to school committee members), support them, you are supporting the grooming of children. If any teachers in Seekonk support them, they support the grooming of children.”

Groomer panic, as Options Magazine has reported on previously, “is an alt-right tactic to imply that the LGBTQ community, their allies, and liberals are pedophiles or pedophile enablers.” It is a tactic

used by the far right to invoke fear of the LGBTQ+ community. These claims are not fact-based; they are pure fear-mongering, hate-mongering slander used to intimidate and silence queer folks who seek nothing more than to be supportive and active community members.

Barbara Georgia and The Seekonk Reporter’s decision to “remain impartial” in the face of clear bigotry and misinformation was disappointing to the Novinsons and other members of Seekonk’s LGBTQ+ community. The result of Georgia’s decision to wash her hands of the entire matter rather than put effort into producing thoughtful and accurate local reporting in The Seekonk Reporter has been to silence the attempts of Love Lives in Seekonk to share accurate information and build inclusive community while other residents of Seekonk continue to target them with slander, unchallenged misinformation, and hate speech including overt Nazi symbolism.

The Love Lives in Seekonk board has been doing their best to take all of this in stride. “The good outweighs the bad many times over,” said Novinson over the phone. Love Lives in Seekonk has organized multiple community events, and they are still working on putting together Seekonk’s first-ever Pride event.

This will be happening June 8 behind the YMCA in Seekonk. Options Magazine readers who feel so moved could donate to their GoFundMe – putting on a Pride event is not cheap.

Options Magazine reached out to Barbara Georgia multiple times to ask her about The Reporter’s decision to deplatform both groups, but did not receive a response.

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FOR QUEER PEOPLE TO LIVE AND THRIVE, CAPITALISM MUST GO IT’S NOT ENOUGH TO BE AGAINST QUEERPHOBIA — WE NEED TO FIGHT FOR SOCIALISM.

By Maya Dovid

M

any queer and trans people find ourselves pitted against a world that seems bent on killing us.

Every step we as a society take out of the closet seems matched by a comparable march forward with fascism.

The fear and anger that well up within us lead to a variety of tactics bent on fighting discrimination and violence, from lobbying, to pushing for queer representation, to physical altercations with queerphobes. But when these piecemeal approaches hit a wall, we risk becoming demoralized, dejected, disengaged. Our communities are plagued by extraordinary rates of drug and alcohol abuse, suicide, and homelessness.

Important though existing modes of activism and advocacy are in building our movement, we cannot emerge victorious without a unified movement that brings the system to its knees.

WHICH BEGS THE QUESTION: WHAT WILL WE PUT IN ITS PLACE?

Despite our country’s long-standing repression of socialism, many of our queer ancestors, including fearless freedom fighters like Bayard Rustin, Sylvia Rivera, and Leslie Feinberg, identified with socialism. This is not a mere coincidence. Socialist politics fill a void in our movements — they diagnose the root causes of oppression in our society and provide a path forward to true liberation.

I am a socialist organizer. I march on picket lines alongside UPS workers, I organize protests for Palestine, I promote free abortion access on “Socialist politics fill a void in our demand, and I volmovements — they diagnose the unteer to boost the root causes of oppression in our Claudia & Karina socialist presidensociety and provide a path forward tial campaigns. to true liberation.“ As disparate as these issues seem, they all return to the same goal — to 24

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make revolution irresistible.

In a world beset by crisis after crisis, it has become easier to be anti-capitalist. But in our country’s political climate it is harder to arrive at a positive stance in favor of socialism. Each of us needs to reach that place, and help others join us. To do that, we need to dig into the roots of queerphobic violence in class society and explore how a democracy of, for, and by the people can liberate all of us.

THEY TELL US WE’VE ALWAYS BEEN HATED In queer spaces, it often feels like our history began at Stonewall. As if one day, queer people finally broke free from our millenia-old chains. In fact, queerphobia is an extremely new phenomenon. The oldest examples are less than a few thousand years old; its widespread application spans only a few hundred years. For most of humanity’s 300,000 year history, and throughout much of the world today, human societies have had much more expansive approaches to gender and sexuality, and even honored roles for those of us who walked outside of the binary.

Much of what I’ll discuss here comes from Leslie Feinberg’s Transgender Warriors, a groundbreaking text that I credit with

inspiring my second gender transition. Feinberg’s analysis grows out of the Marxist understanding that patriarchy and the queerphobia that accompanies it developed as a consequence of private property, a phenomenon that emerged mainly in pastoral societies some three to five thousand years ago.

Before the emergence of private property and property-owning classes, most societies had communal forms of production and property. These societies could consist of small bands or wide-reaching social structures.

Most had a gendered division of labor, but that did not mean a gender hierarchy. For example, in the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) confederation, a council of elder women held immense power, as they were responsible for the distribution of community surplus resources. Our trans ancestors also played valuable roles in that division of labor — people who today we might call trans or two-spirit have commonly served as shamans or priests, seen as representative of the di-

vine masculine and feminine and bridging the space between two worlds.

Additionally, different tasks divided by gender were not seen as more important than others.

These societies were (and many still are) matrilineal. Sexual relationships were often more flexible or open, so a child would generally know who their mother was, but not their father. This changed with the emergency of herding and patriarchy.

In the gendered division of labor in pastoral societies, men were often the shepherds so women could care for children; this meant that men gradually developed ownership over the flock and used that property to exert power and influence. With private property, inheritance became important: when the patriarch died, who would own the flock in the next generation?

Knowing whose son belonged to which father resulted in stricter practices regarding marriage and infidelity imposed upon women,

and private property expanded to include land, slaves, and the patriarch’s wife or wives and children.

In fact, the Roman word “familia” originally signified everything under domestic property, including slaves.

Patriarchy advanced unevenly.

Peasant societies all over the world maintained matrilineal structures, gender play during festivals, and more open sexual structures.

Disciplining the working classes to maintain patriarchy was a constant historical struggle, and gender play emerged in various rebellions against the ruling classes across Europe and the U.S., up until recent times. For example, the ballroom scene of today can be read as having deep links to drag balls in 19th century England through 1920s Harlem, where attendees often came in drag.

Only with the emergence of modern capitalist empires did patriarchal oppression take on new heights and new forms. Women’s rights were eroded as the nuclear family became more wide-

Pro-Palestine rally at a PVD Textron in November 2023.

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spread under early production.

“Building people power means organizing, industrial capitalYet all the proflearning, and fighting. It means uniting ism. Women would its of our labor are either be dependent concentrated into with all oppressed peoples.” on their husband the hands of a small for a wage and thus class of owners — subject to more disCEOs, bankers, and cipline and violence in the home, or they would be landlords. The U.S. is the wealthiest country in the forced to work a double day, laboring long hours in world, but that wealth does not benefit all Amerifactories and then returning home to cook, clean, and cans. The question at stake is whether we can use care for the children. that wealth for our collective benefit, rather than the We must understand that capitalists have alenrichment of a select few. ways profited from this exploitation, paying workIn our book Socialist Reconstruction: a Better Fuers the bare minimum needed for their survival and ture for the United States, the Party for Socialism and keeping their working conditions as shoddy as posLiberation lays out what this system could look like sible. As the Spanish, Portuguese, British, French, in its first five years. I will highlight some compoand American empires expanded across the world, nents that are essential for queer liberation. they carried with them laws to discipline people into these uniform family structures, resulting in some of THE REMOVAL OF OCCUPYING FORCES the first laws against queer sexualities and genders.

A socialist system would be based on internaThe earliest examples were some 500 years ago in tional cooperation rather than world domination. the Americas, but widespread acceptance of queerWe could rapidly close all foreign military bases and phobia and transphobia is a 19th and 20th century not only forgive all foreign debts, but pay reparations phenomenon. for the immense wealth extracted from the nations When we learn just how historically short-lived of the global south to help them rebuild and develop this violence is, and just how expansive the history of — all while still having plenty left over to serve the queerness and transness is across all human society, people here. we can see the fragility of the systems that oppress Arms of foreign interference like the CIA would us. Today, the far right uses trans people as a wedge be abolished.

With the military and banks off the issue precisely to sow division among workers. If we necks of the world, each nation’s struggle for self-deare stuck hating each other and fighting for our basic termination would be much easier and more open. In rights, it becomes more difficult for us to unite against Palestine, for example, the primary obstacle for queer our real enemies: the capitalist owning class that expeople is not their own government at all — they are ploits the entire planet. much more likely to be murdered by an Israeli rocket That’s why it’s not enough to simply fight for or jailed without cause by an IDF soldier than they our basic rights, which will always be eroded under are to be harmed by their own communities. Thus, capitalism. We must develop a vision for a society the fastest way to ensure our queer siblings’ liberacompletely liberated from exploitation, in which we tion in Palestine is to stop sending U.S. aid to Israel all have basic freedom of gender and sexuality, and and to topple its apartheid state. we must unite to fight for that vision to become our Police would also be abolished in the U.S. and reality. replaced by the armed working class. As queer and trans people, we would be part of the forces able to QUEER LIBERATION THROUGH SOCIALIST defend ourselves and our communities. No longer RECONSTRUCTION would we be victims of violence, but an integrated part of the democratic power structure.

We must start with the foundation — workers make the world run. Our society is built upon the collective labor of all workers. This includes those queer and trans people who have been forced from the manufacturing workforce into service work, and even sex work, all of which is part of reproducing life under capitalism and is essential to the process of 26

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UNITY AND BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS Under socialism, there is not an incentive for division among the people — rather, our unity is incentivised in order to maximize productivity and well-being to care for our whole society. All forms of

bigotry, including racism, sexism, queerphobia, and transphobia, would be immediately outlawed, and widespread education campaigns would be launched to combat these lingering ideologies.

Socialism can also abolish the abysmal living conditions many queer people face. There is no reason for anyone to not have a job or a living wage if our goal is to provide for all people — thus a job and living wage would be guaranteed according to each person’s ability, and the work week could be significantly shortened. Right now in the U.S., empty housing units far outnumber the total homeless population. A socialist people’s government could immediately house every unhoused person and guarantee a home as a human right, capping rent at 10% of one’s income.

Education would be guaranteed free to all people throughout one’s life, allowing everyone to continue their studies rather than being forced to work to support themselves as our unhoused, teenage siblings often are.

Medical care would similarly be free, making gender-affirming care, PREP, abortions, and STI testing accessible nationwide.

WE CAN WIN — WE MUST WIN! The movement for Palestine has made it abundantly clear that we have nothing in common with the politicians who rule us. Biden has unequivocally stood by Israel’s genocidal aims as the entire world watches mass death unfold day after day. Only a handful of U.S. representatives voted against sending billions more in weapons to Israel, not to mention to Ukraine, Taiwan, and the U.S.-Mexico border.

Queer people must recognize that this is consistent with Biden and the democrats’ record of lies.

Biden promised to protect trans kids, but instead allowed every individual school to discriminate against trans children, doing nothing to stop the laws that led to the murder of Nex Benedict. He has done nothing to protect queer and trans Floridians who have been censored from schools and had access to hormones cut off, nor trans children whose access to hormones are being threatened and who could be kidnapped from their parents by the state. Neither Biden nor the democrats who supposedly stood for abortion rights did anything to stop the overturning of Roe in 2022 — even though the government could have immediately stepped in to provide abortions at all military bases and VA hospitals on federal lands.

This is because the Democrats benefit from our oppression as much as the Republicans. They can pontificate about supporting trans people to get votes

and donations, but have absolutely no accountability when it comes to actually doing anything on our behalf. If they ever did take real action, they would risk losing queer and trans people as a bargaining chip to hold voters captive in the two party system.

Our power lies in the people, and depends on our ability to organize for our collective liberation. The vast majority of the U.S. wants free access to abortion. Only a tiny minority of the racist right wing is carrying out the legal and physical attacks on trans people. More and more people are questioning why more than a trillion dollars are being spent annually on global military domination while climate catastrophe looms and our communities don’t have access to basic health care or education.

Building people power means organizing, learning, and fighting. It means uniting with all oppressed peoples. Queer and trans people, black, brown and indigenous people, disabled people; we must all be part of the leading force. This means we must stand together in all of our struggles, not just those that affect our affinity group. To build power, we must move from seeing ourselves as mere allies, to understanding ourselves as comrades fighting in a collective struggle against capitalism and for all the liberation that socialism can bring.

With each new crisis, new movements erupt — if we want those movements to win, we must not shy away but join the struggle, build with our communities, and develop a collective vision for a socialist future that is worth fighting for.

Polish-German revolutionary Rosa Luxemburg once said, “To be apolitical is to be political without realizing it.” The question is not whether we will take action, but which side of history we are on.

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RESOURCES Options originated in 1982 as the offical newsletter of the Rhode Island Gay Task Force. Editor Jos Fayette explained, “The RIGTF wants to make the homosexual community aware of their options as gay men and women in Rhode Island. And it’s only because we live, work, love, and play in this state that there are such a large number of options available to all of us.”

Options has always, and will continue to print LGBTQ resources so that

you can, as Fayette went on to say, “Exercise your OPTIONS today to make positive changes in your life tomorrow.”

Help us help you! Email info@optionsri.org if you come across a resource listing that needs updating. New, updated, and featured resources are highlighted. Phone numbers are in the 401 area code and addresses are in Rhode Island, unless otherwise indicated.

ADDICTION SUPPORT GROUPS

people. PO Box 2591, Newport, RI. 401-847-7637. bpmilham@cox. net. Facebook: AIDS Quilt Rhode Island.

Brown Universitty AIDS Program: Clinical trials, public policy, research, lectures, conferences, patient and community education. 11 Fourth St, Providence, RI. 1-401-793-3198. CChu2@lifespan.org. https:// www.brown.edu/academics/public-health/brunap/home.

Community Care Alliance: Case management, support, personal care items for people living with HIV/AIDS in northern Rhode Island.

245 Main St, Woonsocket, RI. 1-401-235-6092. lcohen@famresri. org. https://www.communitycareri.org.

Community Care Alliance-Agape Providence: Transitional housing, drop-in center, testing, intensive case management, counseling, peer support for people living with HIV/AIDS. 293 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI. 1-401-572-3801. https://www.communitycareri.org.

Comprehensive Community Action Programs: Medical, mental health, dental, social services, LGBT outreach. 311 Doric Ave, Cranston, RI and other offices in Coventry, Pawtucket, Providence, and Warwick.

1-401-467-9610. info@comcap.org. https://www.comcap.org/.

Gabriel Care, LLC: Nursing/social worker case management and financial compensation for assistance and supervision for those living with HIV. MassHealth funded for MA residents. 376 S Main St, Fall River, MA. 1-508-678-1002. info@gabrielcare.com. https://www.gabrielcare.com.

HIV Antibody Testing: Anonymous HIV Antibody testing. Free or sliding scale. RI Department of Health. 1-401-222-5960. https://health. ri.gov/diseases/hivaids/about/testing/.

House of Compassion: HIV/AIDS housing. 2510 Mendon Rd, Cumberland, RI. 1-401-658-3992. studd2muffin@yahoo.com.

LGBT Caregiver Online Support Group: For members of the LGBT community caring for someone with chronic health problems. 1-800445-8106. https://www.caregiver.org.

Miriam Hospital HIV & STD Testing Clinic: Testing clinic for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, HIV, Hep C, and trichomoniasis. Linking to physicians for PrEP. Appointment Required.180 Corliss St, Suite F, Providence, RI. 1-401-793-4715. https://www.lifespan.org/centers-services/ infectious-diseases/std-testing.

Partners in Learning About AIDS: Outreach to minorities, women of color, and LGBT community at clubs and other locations. North Providence office provides free condoms and information about STIs and post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. 1006 Charles St, Suite 5, North

AA Brothers in Sobriety: Gay men’s open meeting — all welcome.

Saturdays 6:30-7:30 pm. 50 Orchard Ave, Providence, RI. 1-401-4190051. https://aainri.com/meetings/brothers-in-sobriety/.

AddictionCenter.com: Web information guide for addiction resources nationwide. 1-855-585-2082. https://AddictionCenter.com.

RI LGBT AA Group: AA Group, Tuesdays 7-8 pm. All are welcome.

In-person and Online. 5 Bell St, Providence, RI. Bell St Chapel. 1-401273-5678. https://aainri.com/locations/bell-street-chapel/.

Seven Hills Behavioral Health: Addiction support services and Narcan. Contact Leonard Amaral, Program Manager, for more information.

1173 Acushnet Ave, New Bedford, MA. 1-508-235-1012.

YPTQ (Young People, Queer, Trans) Meeting of AA: AA Meeting, Wednesdays 7:30-8:30 pm. 194 Meeting St, Providence, RI, “Common Room” of Brown University Alumni Hall. https://aainri.com/meetings/ yptq-young-people-queer-trans-2/.

AIDS/HEALTH RESOURCES Afia Center for Health & Wholeness: Meals, food pantry, HIV support groups, recreational and social activities. Sponsored by AIDS Project RI. Free to clients. Wednesdays and Thursdays 12-3 pm. Contact Kim Clohecy for more info. 485 Plain St, Providence, RI. 1-401-831-5522. https://aidsprojectri.org/what-we-do/#support-services.

AIDS Care Ocean State: Confidential HIV & Hep C testing, safer-sex supplies, case management, emergency funds, clinical services, assisted and supportive housing for people living with HIV/ AIDS, street outreach, free needle exchange, HIV+ support groups. 557 Broad St, Providence, RI. 1-401-273-1888. info@aidscareos.org. https://www. aidscareos.org.

AIDS Project RI: Division of Family Service of RI. Case management, buddies, COBRA and dental services, emergency fund, mental health counseling, nutrition support, assessment and referral, wellness programs, advocacy, strength training, prevention education, HIV testing. 55 Hope St, Providence, RI. 1-401-831-5522. https://www.aidsprojectri.org.

AIDS Quilt RI: Displays local AIDS memorial quilt panels, panel-making programs including Anna’s Workshop, HIV/AIDS education for young 28

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Providence, RI. 1-401-484-7523.info@plaidsproject.org..https://www. plaidsproject.org.

Planned Parenthood of Southern New England: Confidential, low-cost, same day & walk-in STD and HIV testing. Common sense approach to health. .175 Broad St, Providence, RI. 1-800-230-7526. support.ppsne@ppsne.org. https://www.ppsne.org.

PrimaCARE Transgender Clinic: Counseling, hormonal reassignment, referrals for surgery. Founded and operated by Kishore Lakshman, MD. 277 Pleasant St, Bldg. 1, Suite 202, Fall River, MA. 1-508-235-0481.

Project Weber/RENEW: Harm reduction supplies, peer support for people who use drugs or in recovery, free Narcan, drop-in centers, program for trans and genderqueer individuals, free HIV/hep C testing. 640 Broad St, Providence, RI. 1-401-383-4888. info@weberrenew.org. https://www.weberrenew.org. Facebook: @weberrenew. Instagram: @weberrenew.

Seven Hills HIV Prevention & Screening: TWIST Program, HIV and STI prevention and testing, partner care. Contact Leonard Amaral. .1173 Acushnet Ave, New Bedford, MA and 310 S Main St, Fall River, MA. 1-508-999-4159. https://www.sevenhills.org/programs/comprehensive-health-promotion-services.

SSTAR (Stanley Street Treatment & Resources): Counseling, drug treatment, detox, domestic violence programs, free and confidential HIV, HEP C, and STD testing, education, case management and support.

MA and RI locations. Project Aware (HIV/HCV): 508-324-3561 or Project Aware: https://www.sstar.org/project-aware-hivaids-services/, Family Healthcare Center: 508-675-1054 or https://www.sstar.org/ primary-healthcare/.15086795222. https://www.sstar.org/.

Steppingstone, Inc: Welcome Home Medical case management program. One-on-one peer support in Somerset to Wareham area. HIV support groups available. Free and open to any HIV+ person 18+. 5 Dover St, New Bedford, MA. 1-508-984-7514. dbrown@steppingstoneinc.org.. http://www.steppingstoneinc.org/welcome-home/.

Thundermist Health Center: Provides HIV/AIDS services including medical care and treatment by an HIV specialist, dental care, behavioral health counseling, nutritional assessment and counseling, pharmacy consultation, free and confidential HIV testing. 450 Clinton St, Woonsocket, RI. 1-401-767-4100. https://www.thundermisthealth.org/.

INFORMATION/EDUCATION Fenway Community Center LGBT H,elpline: Support, information, and referrals. Open daily 6-11 pm. 1-617-267-9001. lgbthealtheducation@fenwayhealth.org. https://fenwayhealth.org/the-fenway-institute/education/the-national-lgbt-health-education-center/.

LGBT National Help Center: Local resources nationwide provided by social services agency. 2261 Market Street, #296 San Francisco, CA. 1-888-843-4564. help@LGBThotline.org. www.LGBThotline.org.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LGBTNationalHelpCenter. Instagram: www.instagram.com/lgbt_national_hotline.

LGBTQ Action RI: Advocacy organization to secure equality & justice for LGBT people through legislative and policy work. info@lgbtqactionri. org. https://www.facebook.com/LGBTQActionRI/.

NewportOut: Advertising/marketing agency promoting Newport as a travel destination for the LGBT community. Provides online resources and connections to the community. info@newportout.com. https://www. newportout.com.

RILGBT-News: Low-volume email distribution list for LGBT & AIDS news from RI. Not a discussion list. Contact via email to subscribe. ti-

nawood@cox.net.

SHIP (formerly The Center for Sexual Pleasure & Health): SHIP is a nonprofit organization providing culturally inclusive, medically accurate, and pleasure-guided sexuality education, therapy, and professional training to adults. 1-401-489-5513. info@weknowship.org. weknowship.org. Facebook: facebook.com/weknowship. Instagram: instagram. com/weknowship.

South Coast LGBTQ Network: Information and advocacy network for individuals of all ages. 1-774-775-2656. info@sclgbtqnetwork.org. https://www. sclgbtnetwork.org.

United Way of RI Referral Line: 2-1-1 on your telephone. Connects you with housing, food, affordable childcare, and much more. 211 is a free, confidential service. Your call is answered by a trained professional. 1-211.

NIGHTLIFE Bobby’s Place: Dancing, pool, video lounge, karaoke. Sunday 5 pm-1 am, Wednesday-Thursday 5 pm-1 am, and Friday-Saturday 5 pm-2 am..60 Weir St, Taunton, MA. 1-508-824-9997. https://www.bobbysplacenightclub.com/.

Brooklyn Coffee Tea House: Public/private venue for music, art, film screenings, weddings, showers, etc. Temporarily closed due to COVID. .209 Douglas Ave, Providence, RI. 1-401-345-9099. contactbctgh@ gmail.com. https://www.brooklyncoffeeteaguesthouse.com/.

EGO: Gay nightlife performance/event space. Thursday 9 pm-1 am, Friday-Saturday 10 pm-3 am, Sunday 9 pm-1 am, and Tuesday 9 pm-1 am. 73 Richmond St Providence, RI. 1-401-383-1208. info@egopvd. com. https://www.egopvd.com/.

Mirabar: Downtown bar and nightclub. Monday-Thursday 3 pm-1 am, Friday 3 pm-2 am, Saturday 2 pm-2 am, Sunday 1 pm-1 am. 15 Elbow St, Providence, RI. 1-401-331-6761. https://www.facebook.com/MirabarRI/.

Providence Eagle: Leather, Levi, bear cruise bar. Monday-Thursday 2 pm-1 am, Friday 2 pm-2 am, Saturday 12 pm-2 am, Sunday 12 pm-1 am..124 Snow St, Providence, RI. 1-401-421-1447. http://providenceeagle.com/Providence_Eagle/index.html.

The Alley Cat Providence: Downtown neighborhood bar. Monday-Thurssday 7 pm-1 am, Friday-Sunday 4 pm-3 am. 17 Snow St, Providence, RI. 1-401-272-6369. https://www.instagram.com/thealleycatpvd/.

The Dark Lady: Downtown bar and nightclub. Monday-Thursday 9 pm-1 am, Friday-Saturday 2 pm-2 am, Sunday 9 pm-1 am. 19 Snow St, Providence, RI. 1-401-272-6369.

The Stable: Downtown video bar. No cover. Sunday-Thursday 12pm1am, Friday-Saturday 12pm-2am..125 Washington St, Providence, RI. 1-401-272-6950. steve@stablepvd.com. https://www.facebook.com/ TheStableProvidence/.

POLITICAL & LEGAL GROUPS American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): 128 Dorrance St, Suite 400, Providence, RI. 1-401-831-7171. info@riaclu.org. http://riaclu.org/.

Amnesty International OUTfront: Program to campaign globally for LGBTQ human rights. 1-212-807-8400. aimember@aiusa.org. https://www.amnestyusa.org.

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD): LGBT/HIV legal info hotline. Weekdays 1:30-4:30pm. 18 Tremont St, Suite 950, Boston, optionsri.org

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MA. 1-617-436-1350. gladlaw@glad.org. https://www.glad.org/.

Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund: A national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. 120 Wall St, Suite 1500, New York, NY. 1-212-809-8585. https://www.lambdalegal.org/.

Lawyers for Equality & Diversity (LEAD): Advocates for LGBT causes. lawyersforequality@gmail.com.

Modern Military Association of America: The nation’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to advancing fairness and equality for the LGBTQ military and veteran community. 1725 I Street NW, Washington, DC. 1-202-328-3244. info@modernmilitary.org. https:// modernmilitary.org/.

National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association/New England: Works for fair and accurate media coverage of LGBT issues. 2120 L Street, NW Suite 850, Washington, DC. 1-202-588-9888. info@nlgja.org. https://www.nlgja.org.

RI Commission on Prejudice and Bias: Hate crime awareness training program. For more information, visit https://www.calloutprejudiceri. org. 1-401-648-9498. https://www.calloutprejudiceri.org/.

RI Human Rights Commission: Anti-discrimination law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit. 180 Westminster St, 3rd fl, Providence, RI. 1-401-2222661. RICHR.Info@richr.ri.gov. https://www.richr.ri.gov/.

RELIGIOUS & SPIRITUAL All Saints Memorial Church: 674 Westminster St, Providence, RI. 1-401-751-1747. asmcri@verizon.net. https://www.allsaintsmemorial.org/.

Amicable Congregational Church: UCC.Open & affirming. Sunday, 10 am. Temporarily held on Zoom due to COVID. 3736 Main Rd, Tiverton, RI. 1-401-624-4611. https://www.amicablechurch.org/.

Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists: PO Box 7834, Louisville, KY. 1-888-906-2922. admin@awab.org. https://www.awab.org/.

Barrington Congregational Church: UCC.”The white church.”

Sundays 10 am. Temporarily remote due to COVID. 461 County Rd, Barrington, RI. 1-401-246-0111. office@bccucc.org. https://www.bccucc.org/.

Bell Street Chapel: A welcoming congregation. Sundays 10 am.

Temporarily remote due to COVID. 5 Bell St, Providence, RI. 401 2735678. bellstreetoffice@gmail.com. https://www.bellstreetchapel.org/.

Beneficent Congregational Church UCC: An open & affirming congregation in the heart of Providence. Sundays 10 am. Temporarily remote due to COVID. 300 Weybossett St, Providence, RI. 1-401-3319844. office@beneficentchurch.org. https://www.beneficentchurch.org/.

Berean Baptist Church: A safe and welcoming place for all God’s children. Sunday 10am. 474 Chapel St, Harrisville, RI. 1-401-568-5411. bereanbaptistchurchri@gmail.com. https://www.bereanri.net/.

Calvary United Methodist Church of Middletown: LGBTQ early dementia support group. Sundays 10:30 am. 200 Turner Rd, Middletown, RI. 1-401-847-6181. calvarylife@necoxmail.com. https://www.middletownmethodist.com/.

Central Congregational Church UCC: An open & affirming congregation. Sundays 10:30 am. 296 Angell St, Providence, RI. 1-401331-1960. cccangell@centralchurch.us. https://www.centralchurch.us/.

Channing Memorial Church Unitarian Universalist: A welcoming congregation. Sundays 10 am. Temporarily remote due to COVID. 135 Pelham St, Newport, RI. 1-401-846-0643. office@channingchurch.

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org. https://www.channingchurch.org/.

Chapel Street Congregational Church UCC: Open & affirming.

Temporarily remote due to COVID. 185 Chapel St, Lincoln, RI. 1-401-7227934. chapelstreetucc@gmail.com. https://www.chapelstreetucc.com/.

Charter Oak Grove ADF: An open and welcoming congregation of Neo-Pagan Druids in CT. Multiple Locations. charteroakadf@gmail. com. https://www.charteroakadf.org/.

Christ Church in Lonsdale: Sundays 9 am. 1643 Lonsdale Ave, Lincoln, RI. 1-401-725-1920. office@christchurchlincoln.org. https://www.christchurchlincoln.org/.

Church of the Ascension: Sundays at 10 am. Temporarily remote due to COVID. 390 Pontiac Ave, Cranston, RI. 1-401-461-5811. ascensioncranston@verizon.net. https://www.ascensioncranston.org/.

Church of the Epiphany: A diverse open & affirming Episcopal congregation. Temporarily remote due to COVID. .1336 Pawtucket Ave, Rumford, RI. 1-401-434-5012. office@epiphanyep.org. https://www. epiphanyep.org/.

Church of the Redeemer: A welcoming Episcopal church. Reverend Patrick Campbell. 655 Hope St, Providence, RI. 1-401-331-0678. office@redeemerprovidence.org. https://www.redeemerprovidence.org/.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redeemerprovidence. Instagram: @redeemerchurchpvd.

Concordia Center for Spiritual Living: A diverse community welcoming all spiritual paths to God, Sunday Celebration 9:15 am. Reverend Ian Taylor. Temporarily remote due to COVID. 292 W. Shore Rd, Warwick, RI. 1-401-732-1552. office@concordiacsl.com. https://www. concordiacsl.com/.

Edgewood Congregational Church UCC: Open & affirming.

Service 10 am. 1788 Broad St, Cranston, RI. 1-401-461-1344. office@ edgewoodchurchri.org. https://www.edgewoodchurchri.org/.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church: Sundays 8 and 9:30 am. Temporarily remote due to COVID. 120 Nate Whipple Hwy, Cumberland, RI. 1-401658-1506. office@emmanuelri.org. https://www.emmanuelri.org/.

First Unitarian Church: A welcoming congregation. Worship, Sunday 10:30 am. 1 Benevolent St, Providence, RI. 1-401-421-7970. admin@ firstunitarianprov.org. https://www.firstunitarianprov.org. Facebook: First Unitarian Church of Providence.

First Unitarian Church: Service 11 am. Temporarily remote due to COVID. 71 8th St, New Bedford, MA. 1-508-994-9686. admin@ uunewbedford.org. https://www.uunewbedford.org/.

First Universalist Society: UU: Welcoming congregation. Same gender weddings. Temporarily remote due to COVID. 262 Chestnut St, Franklin, MA..15085285348.info@fusf.org. https://www.fusf.org/.

Foxboro Universalist Church: UUA: Service 10 am. Temporarily remote due to COVID..6 Bird St, Foxboro, MA. 1-508-891-9266. membership_trustee@uufoxborough.org. https://www.uufoxborough.org/.

Grace Episcopal Church in Providence: Temporarily remote due to COVID. 175 Mathewson St, Providence, RI. 1-401-331-3225. hello@ gracechurchprovidence.org. https://www.gracechurchprovidence.org/.

Hopedale Unitarian Parish: Sundays 10:30 am. Reverend Tony Lorenzen. Temporarily remote due to COVID. 65 Hopedale St, Hopedale, MA. 1-508-473-0745. hopedaleunitarian@verizon.net. https://www. hopedaleunitarian.org/.

Immanuel Lutheran Church: A “Reconciling in Christ” congregation.

Pastor Sandra Demmler D’Amico. 647 N Main St, Attleboro, MA. 1-508222-2898. office@immanuellc.org. https://www.immanuellc.org/.

Interweave at Channing Memorial UU Church: Organization for the spiritual, political, and social well-being of LGBTQ persons, and their

allies, confronting oppression. 135 Pelham St, Newport, RI. 1-401-8460643. interweave@channingchurch.org. https://channingchurch.org/ welcoming-congregation-interweave/.

Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd: A “Reconciling in Christ” congregation (welcoming). 3383 Old North Road, Kingston, RI. 1-401-7897776. office@goodshepherdri.org. https://www.goodshepherdri.org/.

Mathewson St Church: United Methodist: Temporarily remote due to COVID. 134 Mathewson St, Providence, RI. 1-401-331-8900. mathewsonstreetumc@gmail.com. https://www.mathewsonstreetchurch.org/.

Murray Unitarian Universalist Church: Marriage and commitment ceremonies for all. Temporarily remote due to COVID. 505 N Main Street, Attleboro, MA. 1-508-222-0505. office@murrayuuchurch.org. https://www.murrayuuchurch.org/.

Newman Congregational Church: Open & affirming. Service is at 10 AM, Sundays.100 Newman Ave, Rumford, RI. 1-401-434-4742. newmanucc1643@gmail.com. https://www.newmanucc.org/.

Park Place Congregational Church: Temporarily remote due to COVID. 71 Park Pl, Pawtucket, RI. 1-401-726-2800. office@ppucc. necoxmail.com. https://www.parkplaceucc.com/.

Pilgrim Lutheran Church: An inclusive congregation. Sundays 8 and 9:30 am. Temporarily remote due to COVID. 1817 Warwick Ave, Warwick, RI. 1-401-739-2937. parishasst@pilgrimlutheranri.org. https:// www.pilgrimlutheranri.jimdo.com/.

Pilgrim United Church of Christ: Open & Affirming church services.

635 Purchase St, New Bedford, MA. 1-508-997-9086. https://pilgrimuccnb.org/.

Providence Presbyterian Church: Service 10 am. Temporarily remote due to COVID. 500 Hope St, Providence, RI. 1-401-861-1136. provpresri@verizon.net. https://www.provpresri.org/.

Riverside Church: UCC: Service at 10 am. 15 Oak Ave, Riverside, RI .401 433-2039. rcc-office@cox.net. https://www.rcc-ucc.com/.

Saint Therese Old Catholic Church: Open & affirming. Friar David Martins. Sunday 10:30 am. 1500 Main St, West Warwick, RI. 1-401680-9076. stocc1500@gmail.com. https://www.saintthereseocc.org/.

Second Congregational Church of Attleboro: UCC: Open & affirming. Sunday 10 am. 50 Park St, Attleboro, MA. 1-508-222-4677. office@attleborosecondchurch.org. https://www.attleborosecondchurch. org/. Facebook: Second Congregational Church, UCC Attleboro. Instagram: @attleborosecondchurch.

Seekonk Congregational Church: Open & affirming. Sundays 9 and 10:30 am. Reverend Joy Utter. 600 Fall River Ave, Seekonk, MA. 1-508-336-9355. seekonkucc@gmail.com. https://www.scc-ucc. com/.

Soka Gakkai: Buddhist association for peace, culture, and education.

Contact for weekly meetings in Providence. 303 Boylston St, Brookline, MA. 1-617-264-2000. https://www.sgi-usa-boston.org/.

St. Augustine’s Church and Episcopal Center at URI: Sundays at 8 am and 10 am. Temporarily remote due to COVID. 15 Lower College Rd, Kingston, RI. 1-401-783-2153. staugustinesadmin@necoxmail.com. https://www.staugustineuri.org/.

St. James Church: Episcopal: 474 Fruit Hill Ave, North Providence, RI. 1-401-353-2079. stjameschurchnp@gmail.com. https://www.stjamesnorthprovidence.org/.

St. Martin’s Episcopal Church: Open and affirming. Sundays 8 and 10 am from Sept thru June. July & August one service Sundays at 9am.

Services are in-person and online (livestream). 50 Orchard Ave, Providence, RI. 1-401-751-2141. church@stmartinsprov.org. https://www.stmartinsprov.org/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmartinsprov-

idence. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saintmartinsprov/.

St. Martin’s Episcopal Church: Welcoming church. Monthly LGBT Eucharist. Temporarily remote due to COVID. .136 Rivet St, New Bedford, MA. 1-508-994-8972. stmartinsnb.secretary@gmail.com. https://www.stmartinsma.org/.

St. Paul’s Church: A welcoming Episcopal church. Sundays 10 am.

2679 East Main St, Portsmouth, RI. 1-401-683-1164. https://www.stpaulsportsmouthri.org/.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church: Sunday Liturgies, 8 & 10 a.m. Summer 9:00 a.m. 50 Park Place, Pawtucket, RI. 1-401-728-4300. office@ stpaulspawtucket.org. https://www.stpaulspawtucket.org/.

St. Peter & St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church: Temporarily remote due to COVID. 25 Pomona Ave, Providence, RI. 1-401-272-9649. office@ stpeters-standrews.org. https://www.stpeters-standrews.org/.

Temple Agudas Achim: Reconstructionist congregation. Temporarily remote due to COVID. 901 N Main St, Attleboro, MA. 1-508-2222243. office@agudasma.org.https://www.agudasma.org/.

Temple Beth-El: Rabbi Sarah E. Mack. Temporarily remote due to COVID. .70 Orchard Ave, Providence, RI. 1-401-331-6070. info@ temple-beth-el.org. https://www.temple-beth-el.org/.

Temple Emanu-El: A welcoming Conservative congregation. Temporarily remote due to COVID. Rabbi Wayne Franklin. .99 Taft Ave, Providence, RI. 1-401-331-1616. info@teprov.org. https://www.teprov.org/.

Temple Habonim: A warm, welcoming Reform congregation. 165 New Meadow Rd, Barrington, RI. 1-401-245-6536. office@templehabonim.org. https://www.templehabonim.org/.

Temple Sinai: A welcoming Reform temple. Rabbi Jeff Goldwasser.

Temporarily remote due to COVID. 30 Hagen Ave, Cranston, RI. 1-401942-8350. dottie@templesinairi.org. https://www.templesinairi.org/.

Unitarian Church in Fall River: Sunday 10:30 am. Temporarily remote due to COVID. 309 N Main St, Fall River, MA. 1-508-678-9700. office@unitarianchurchfr.org. https://www.unitarianchurchfr.org/.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County: Temporarily remote due to COVID. 27 North Rd, Peace Dale, RI. 1-401-7834170. uucscri@yahoo.com. https://www.uusouthcountyri.org/.

Unitarian Universalist Society of Fairhaven: Service 10:30 am.

Temporarily remote due to COVID. 102 Green St, Fairhaven, MA. 1-508-992-7081. office@uufairhaven.org. https://www.uufairhaven. org/.

United Congregational Church: A welcoming congregation. Sunday, 10 am. 524 Valley Rd, Middletown, RI. 1-401-849-5444. http://uccmiddletown.org/.

Westminster Unitarian Universalist Church: A UUA Welcoming Congregation. Temporarily remote due to COVID. 119 Kenyon Ave, East Greenwich, RI. 1-401-884-5933. info@westminsteruu.org. https:// www.westminsteruu.org/.

Woodridge Congregational Church: An Opening and Affirming Community of the United Church of Christ - Sunday worship at 10 am (enter sanctuary at the corner of Budlong Rd and Woodridge St, Cranston); plenty of parking. 30 Jackson Rd, Cranston, RI 02920. 1-401942-0662. Woodridgechurch@verizon.net. https://woodridgechurchri. org/.

SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS Bisexual Resource Center: PO Box 170796, Boston, MA. 1-617424-9595. brc@biresource.net. https://www.biresource.net/. optionsri.org

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Boston Bisexual Women’s Network: Social activities including monthly brunches and quarterly publication, Bi Women Quarterly. PO Box 301727, Boston, MA. biwomeneditor@gmail.com. https://www. biwomenboston.org/.

Good Company (RIAGP): Networking and philanthropy. 1-888891-9030. goodcompanyri@gmail.com. https://www.goodcompanyri. com/.

Imperial Court of RI at Providence: Drag and non-drag performers raise funds for local charities. All welcome to general membership meetings on first Monday at Dark Lady (17 Snow Street, Providence). Temporarily remote due to COVID. PO Box 6583, Providence, RI. icri.prov@gmail. com. https://www.icriprov.org/.

Old Lesbians Organizing for Change - Rhode Island Chapter: Local Chapter of Old Lesbians Organizing for Change: An International Network of Elder Lesbians. We welcome Lesbians age 55+ interested in working for justice and well being through discourse and activism. We also offer friendly support and community. Meets monthly. olocinri@ gmail.com. https://www.oloc.org/. Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/oloc.rhodeisland.

Pride in Aging RI (formerly SAGE-RI): Advocacy, education, and social events for LGBT seniors. 1665 Broad St, Cranston, RI. info@prideinagingri.org. https://prideinagingri.org/ Facebook: @PrideinAgingRI. Providence Queer Book Club: 3rd Wednesday, 7 pm. Books on the Square. 471 Angell St, Providence, RI. queerbookclub@gmail.com. https://www.facebook.com/groups/197682245133/.

Rhode Island Gay Men’s Chorus: New season rehearsals begin in January and August. Singers and non-singing volunteers welcome. Monday 7-9:30 pm at Beneficent Church. 300 Weybosset St, Providence, RI. director@rigmc.org. https://www.rigmc.org/.

RI Pride: Open house 4th Wednesdays. Festival & Parade 3rd Saturday in June. 1055 Westminster St, Providence, RI. 1-401-467-2130. info@prideri.com. https://www.prideri.com/.

RI Prime Timers: Social and networking group for older gay and bi men. Second Sunday of every month. 1-401-996-3010. skri07@gmail. com. https://www.riprimetimers.org/.

RI Women’s Association: Lesbian social group. 21+. Dances & events.

PO Box 3586, Cranston, RI. webmaster@RIWA.net. https://www. riwa.net/.

We Thrive Cape Cod’s LGBTQ+ Youth Center: Formerly Cape and Islands Gay and Straight Youth Alliance. 56 Barnstable Rd, Hyannis, MA. https://www.wethrive.us/ Yankee Lambda Car Club: Regional car club for GLBT vintage and specialty car enthusiasts. https://www.yankeelcc.com/. Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/groups/126079135460/#.https://www.instagram. com/lambdacarclub/.

SPORTS & RECREATION Beantown Softball League: Friendly competition. 27 teams in four divisions of play: competitive, intermediate, and recreational. PO Box 230734, Boston, MA. 1-617-297-7490. bsl-membership-director@ beantownsoftball.com. https://www.beantownsoftball.com/.

Boating: Yankee Cruising Club: New England’s club for LGBTQ boaters. Multiple Locations. 508-423-6123. yankeecruisingclub@ gmail.com. https://yankeecruisingclub.weebly.com/.

Boston Gay + Lesbian Rowing Federation: Worldwide online community for gay and lesbian rowers, coxies, coaches, and race officials. https:// 32

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www.glrf.org/.

Boston Gay Basketball League: PO Box 170160, Boston, MA. 1-757-266-7534. ksg.bgbl@gmail.com. https://bgbl.com/.

Boston Ironsides Rugby Football: Multiple Locations. info@bostonironsides.org. https://www.bostonironsides.org/.

Boston Pride Hockey: Now operating in Rhode Island with scrimmage games in Providence. info@bostonpridehockey.org. https://www.bostonpridehockey.org/.

Boston Strikers Soccer Club: Non-profit social organization to learn and improve soccer skills in a relaxed, congenial environment. Multiple Locations. thebostonstrikers@gmail.com. https://www.bostonstrikers. com/.

Cambridge Boston Volleyball Association: Players of all skill levels welcome. Multiple Locations. secretary@cbvolleyball.net. https://www.cbvolleyball.net/.

Field Hockey: Teamworks Somerset: New season every 10 weeks.

732 Lee’s River Ave, Somerset, MA. info@teamworkssomerset.com. https://www.teamworkssomerset.com/.

FLAG (For Lesbians and Gays) Football: Boston-based recreational football club. All skill levels are encouraged to participate. Saturday mornings in the fall and spring. PO Box 220550, Boston, MA. info@ flagflagfootball.com. https://www.flagflagfootball.com/.

Frontrunners Boston: Morning walk/run along the Charles River. Saturdays, 10 am. Club Cafe, 209 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA. rnicoll@ brandeis.edu. https://www.frontrunnersboston.org/.

Frontrunners Rhode Island: Running group (free yoga Mondays).

Newcomers and all abilities welcome. Thursdays 6 pm. Meet at Hope St end of Blackstone Blvd, Providence, RI. frontrunnersri@gmail.com. http://www.frontrunners.org/clubs/index.php?club=RhodeIsland.

Gala Bowling League: Sundays 5:50 pm. Season begins in August..

East Providence Lanes, 80 Newport Ave, East Providence, RI. galabowling1990@gmail.com. https://www.facebook.com/gala.bowling/.

LANES (Liquid Assets New England Swimming): Fitness and/ or competition. BostonLANES@Gmail.com. https://www.swim-lanes. com/.

Main Street Martial Arts: Non-profit welcoming dojo and community center. 1282 N Main St, Providence, RI. 1-401-345-9202. mainstma@ gmail.com. https://www.mainstma.org/.

Ocean State Pride Volleyball League: Adult coed indoor league following USVBA rules. No try-outs. Fee applies. Kent County YMCA, 900 Centerville Rd, Warwick, RI. ospvolleyball@gmail.com. https://www.facebook.com/ groups/OSPVL/.

OutRyders Skiing: New England’s largest LGBTQ+ ski and snowboard club. https://www.outryders.org/.

PrideSports Boston: Network of twenty-plus gay sports leagues/ teams in the Boston area. Multiple Locations. info@pridesportsusa.com. https://www.pridesportsboston.org/.

Providence Gay Flag Football League: Registration opens Feb 4th.

Season starts in April. PO Box 40577, Providence, RI. 1-401-4001094. info@pvdgffl.org. https://www.pvdgffl.org/.

Providence Women’s Rugby Club: Competitive and recreational. 55 Shipyard St, Providence, RI. prfc.women@gmail.com. https://www.providencerugby.com/.

Renaissance City Softball League: New players and boosters always welcome. PO Box 40067, Providence, RI. info@providencesoftball.net. https://www.providencesoftball.net/.

Rondeau’s Kickboxing: 1408 Atwood Ave, Johnston, RI. 1-401-9965425. info@rkblive.com. http://rkblive.com/.

Tennis-4-All: Boston area tennis organization. Multiple Locations. info@tennis4all.org. https://www.tennis4all.org/.

STUDENTS & YOUTH CCRI Gender Equality Initiative: SafeZone & Trans 101: Support and info for LGBTQ people and allies. Multiple Locations. deanofstudents@ccri.edu. https://www.ccri.edu/genderequity.

Haus of Codec: To create a safer and more accessible means to housing, care, and essential services for displaced transition aged youth. 53 Broad St PO Box 23360, Providence, RI. https://www.hausofcodec. org/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hausofcodec. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/HausofCodec HEROES Club at Bristol Community College: Bristol College Student Group. HEROES acronym stands for “Helping Educate Regarding Orientation & Engaging Students”, We are a safe and judgment-free space where individuals are able to express themselves, connect, and learn about the LGBTQIA+ community through discussions, fun campus events, and more. Tuesdays 2 pm-3 pm. 777 Elsbree St, Fall River, MA. studentengagement@bristolcc.edu. https://bristolcc.campuslabs.com/ engage/organization/hero.

Home to Hope: Support for housing-insecure LGBT youth 13-24. Crisis intervention, medical, and other services..1070 Main St, Suite 304, Pawtucket, RI. 1-401-400-2188. hometohope@rihomeless.org. https:// hometohoperi.wixsite.com/home.

LGBT National Youth Talkline: Private one-on-one chat and info on local resources. Hours Monday-Friday 4 pm-12 am, Saturday 12 pm-5 pm. 1-800-246-7743. https://www.lgbthotline.org/youth-talkline.

Queer & Trans Thursdays: 6-8 pm. Space for LGBTQ and heterosexual youth (24 and under) of color to foster coalition-building and organize to address intersections of oppressions. 669 Elmwood Ave, Rm B7, Providence, RI. 1-401-383-7450. info@prysm.us. https://www. prysm.us/.

Rhode Island College Pride Alliance: Pride Alliance is a safe space for RIC LGTBQ+ students and allies to meet, discuss issues in the queer community and build awareness for LGBTQ+ students. We host several events throughout the year including Pride Week in Spring. 600 Mount Pleasant Ave Providence, RI. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ricc. pride.9. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ricpride/ S.H.E.P.A.R.D. (Stopping Homophobia Eliminating Prejudices and Restoring Dignity): Providence College, 1 Cunningham Sq, Providence, RI. 1-401-865-1782. deanofstudents@providence.edu. https:// dean-of-students.providence.edu/dean-of-students-shepard.

Salve Regina University - The Alliance: 100 Ochre Point Ave, Newport, RI. josie.scully@salve.edu. https://salve.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/Alliance.

The Trevor Project: The only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBT youth. Also offers social networks.

1-866-488-7836. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/.

University of RI Gender and Sexuality Center: A cultural department for students, faculty, and staff. 19 Upper College Rd, Kingston, RI. 1-401-874-2894. annierussell@uri.edu. https://web.uri.edu/gender-sexuality.

University of RI LGBTIQ2: Alumni association. 73 Upper College Rd, Kingston, RI. 1-401-874-2242. alumni@uri.edu. https://www. alumni.uri.edu/.

Youth Pride Inc: Support, education & advocacy for LGBTQ young

people ages 13-23. Tues-Fri. 2-8pm. The Way Out peer support group Thurs. 4pm. Gender Spectrum support group Tues. 4pm. Temporarily remote due to COVID. Visit our website for full calendar of events. 743 Westminster St, Providence, RI. 1-401-421-5626. Info@youthprideri. org. https://www.youthprideri.org/.

SUPPORT GROUPS & SOCIAL SERVICES Abuse Victims & Survivors: Support on phone for LGBTQ victims & survivors of partner abuse. Confidential peer-led groups. 1-617-7424911. info@tnlr.org. https://www.tnlr.org/en.

Adoption Options: Non-sectarian help. Part of the Jewish Collaborative Services of RI. 1165 N Main St, Providence, RI. 1-401-331-5437. peg@jfsri.org. http://adoptionoptions.org/.

Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center: Offering resources for victims of domestic violence. PO Box 5643, Pawtucket, RI. 1-401-723-3057. info@bvadvocacycenter.org. https://www.bvadvocacycenter.org/.

Child & Family Services: Counseling, young parent support, adoption, and more. LGBT groups. Open 6 days a week..66 Troy St, Fall River, MA. 1-508-676-5708. https://www.child-familyservices.org/.

Children’s Friend RI: Foster parents needed for newborn to age six.

153 Summer St, Providence, RI. 1-401-276-4300. info@cfsri.org. https://www.childrensfriend.org/.

Community Care Alliance: Stipend, assistance, and training provided by Family Resources Community Action. 4816 Red Bud Ln, Hartford, CT. 1-459-759-7589. info@famresri.org. https://www.famresri.org/.

Compass: FTM trans info, support and social group. Boston first Thursday 7-9 pm. Temporarily remote due to COVID. info@compassftm.org. http://compassftm.org/.

Day One: Counseling & legal aid for victims of sexual assault/abuse & incest. 24 hour hotline. 100 Medway St, Providence, RI. 1 800 4948100. info@dayoneri.org. https://www.dayoneri.org/.

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: Foster parents wanted.

Devereux Therapeutic Foster Care offers generous tax-free stipend, free comprehensive training, 24-hour support..Multiple Locations.

1-401-734-9680. https://www.devereux.org/site/SPageServer/?pagename=ma_care.

Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County: Support, court advocacy, counseling, safe home, info for women and men in abusive or controlling relationships. 24 hour free and confidential helpline.

61 Main St, Wakefield, RI. 1-401-782-3990. https://www.dvrcsc.org/.

Family Services of RI: Training, stipend, and support provided for nurturing adoptive families. Online referral form or call for Intake services.

PO Box 6688, Providence, RI. 1-401-331-1350. https://www.familyserviceri.org/.

Gay Fathers of Greater Boston: Support for gay and bi-sexual fathers. 738 Main St, #323, Waltham, MA. 1-781-333-8429. info@ gayfathersboston.org. https://www.gayfathersboston.org/.

Gay Officers Action League (GOAL)/New England: Law enforcement officers (sworn & civilian), fire, rescue & publicly employed EMS. Confidential. PO Box 171587, Boston, MA. GOALNewEngland@ gmail.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEnglandGOAL. HIV+ Gay Men’s Support Group: Wednesdays from 1:30-3pm.

18 Parkis Ave, Providence, RI. 1-401-640-3108. Jills@aidscareos.org. https://aidscareos.org/services/support-groups.

LGBTQ+ Grief Support: LGBTQ+ community members experiencing grief over the loss of a loved one are welcome to join a Zoom support optionsri.org

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group hosted by HopeHealth on the fourth Monday of every month. The group meets monthly from 5:30 to 7 pm. To register, email us. CenterforHopeandHealing@HopeHealthCo.org. https://www.hopehealthco.org/ services/hospice-care/grief-support/find-a-grief-support-group/#virtual-grief-support.

LGBTQ+ Peer: Support group second Mondays 5-6 pm at Hope Recovery. Adults 16+. Accessible entrance on Farewell St. 50 Washington Sq, Newport, RI. 1-401-619-1343. hoperecovery@psnri.org. https:// www.hoperecoverycenter.org/.

Mantalk of S.E. Mass: Thursday evenings in Taunton, MA. Social support for gay, bi, and questioning men from Mass and RI. Confidential, drug and alcohol-free. 76 Church Green, Taunton, MA. https://www. meetup.com/Taunton-Gay-Men-Meetup. https://www.facebook.com/ MantalkTaunton.

MentalHelp.net: National directory of inpatient treatment options for those with substance abuse problems. https://MentalHelp.net.

PFLAG Greater Providence: Provides confidential support to families & members of the LGBTQ+ community. Greater Providence Chapter serves all R.I. Virtual Zoom meetings on 1st Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. In-person meetings on 2nd Tuesday at 6:45 p.m. at the Met School, Unity Bldg., 325 Public St., Providence. For information about Providence, visit https://www.pflagprovidence.org. Attleboro Chapter serves Southeast Mass. Virtual Zoom meeting on 3rd Wednesday 7:00 p.m., and in-person meeting on 4th Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at Second Congregational Church, 50 Park St. (side door). For more information, visit https://www.pflagattleboro.org. Multiple Locations. 401-3071802. pflagprovidence@gmail.com. www.pflagprovidence.org. Facebook: PFLAG Greater Providence, RI. Instagram: PFLAGProvRI. Twitter: PFLAGProvRI. Queer Transformative Roots (QTR): Queer & trans people of color organize campaigns to support stability for our communities. 669 Elmwood Ave, Suite B13, Providence, RI. 1-401-383-7450. maxx@prysm.us. https://www.prysm.us/.

Rape Crisis Center for S.E. Mass: Advocacy, shelter, services for domestic abuse survivors. New Hope Inc., 247 Maple St, Attleboro, MA. 1-800-323-4673. development@new-hope.org. https://www.newhope.org/.

RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 24 hour helpline. For more information, visit http://www.ricadv.org/en. 422 Post Rd, Suite 102, Warwick, RI. 800 494-8100. ricadv@ricadv.org. http://www.ricadv. org/en.

Samaritans: 24 hour hotline for suicidal, lonely, despairing, depressed..

PO Box 9086, Providence, RI. 1-800-365-4044. info@samaritansri. necoxmail.com. https://www.samaritansri.org/.

Sexual Health Education & Advocacy Program: HIV, sexual wellness, domestic violence risk reduction. Free, confidential, bilingual (Spanish). No caller ID used. Calls blocked for safety. 386 Smith St, Providence, RI. 1-401-861-6191. info@sojournerri.org. https://www.sojournerri.org/sexual-health-advocacy.

Sojourner House: Call for confidential support group. Support, shelter, advocacy, and information for people in abusive relationships. Including specific LGBT services. No caller ID used. Outgoing calls blocked for safety. 24 hour helpline. 386 Smith St, Providence, RI. 1-401-861-6191. info@sojournerri.org. https://www.sojournerri.org/.

St. Mary’s Home for Children: Sexual abuse treatment for children. .420 Fruit Hill Ave, N. Providence, RI. 1-401-353-3900. info@smhfc. org. https://www.smhfc.org/.

TGI Network of RI: Support, advocacy for transgender, transsexual, 34

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gender-variant and/or intersex people. Borderlands peer group 1st & 3d Tues. and 1st & 3d Sat. of the month. PO Box 4036, Providence, RI. 1-401-441-5058. info@tginetwork.org. http://www.tginetwork.org/.

The Network/La Red: The Network/La Red is a survivor-led, social justice organization that works to end partner abuse in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, kink, polyamorous, and queer communities. Rooted in anti-oppression principles, our work aims to create a world where all people are free from oppression. We strengthen our communities through organizing, education, and the provision of support services..P.O. Box 6011, Boston, MA 02114. 800-832-1901. info@tnlr.org. https://www. tnlr.org/en. Facebook: The Network/La Red. Instagram: thenetworklared.

Trans* Partners New England: Gives romantic partners of transgender people a confidential, safe space to explore the impact of a loved one’s gender identity on their relationships, and to connect with other loved ones of transgender people. First Wednesday 6:30-8:30pm. partners@tginetwork.org.

Trans* Youth Family Allies: Support for gender-variant and transgender children ages 3-18. 1-888-462-8932. info@imatyfa.org. http:// imatyfa.org/index.html.

Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA): Growing organization to address the concerns of fair treatment of transgender veterans and active duty service members. Suite 465, 2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20006. 1-516-828-2911. office@transveterans.org. http://transveteran.org/.

Women’s Rescource Center: Leading domestic violence prevention though the empowerment of individuals and the community by providing advocacy, education and support services. Multiple Locations. 1-401846-5263. info@wrcnbc.org. https://www.wrcnbc.org/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRCNBC. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wrc_nbc/.

Wanderground Lesbian Archive/Library, Inc: Wanderground Lesbian Archive collects, preserves, and brings to life Lesbian activist, artistic cultural expressions, and forgotten legacies in vibrant community gathering space(s). PO Box 10446 Cranston RI 02910. info@wanderground. org. https://wanderground.org/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ Wanderground.RI.

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The Rhode Island Department of Health is a proud sponsor of Rhode Island Pride.

Stop by RIDOH’s booth at PrideFest for important health information, trivia, and giveaways! health.ri.gov/sogi | 401-222-5960

checks 36SkinJune 2024 plus mpox and COVID-19 vaccinations available at PrideFest!