Options 2023: The Community Edition

Care you need. Respect you deserve.

Everyone deserves quality healthcare—and a positive healthcare experience. When you see the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) Safe Zone logo, you can be assured of safe, a rming, and inclusive care.

Improving the health and well-being of all Rhode Islanders. It’s what we live for.

Find a Safe Zone provider near you at bcbsri.com/safezones

FROM THE EDITOR

QUEER PROVIDENCE IS BUILDING THE WORLD OF THE 21ST CENTURY

Dear Reader,

Welcome to this year’s edition of Options Magazine. You may have noticed Options has a new Parisian Art Deco look inside, with a cover inspired by the Dada movement. Options took inspiration from 1920s Paris for 2020s Providence because it was a place and time filled with young Queer activists, artists, poets, and troublemakers who rejected the elites of the times and created the cultural basis of the modern era of the 20th century.

1920s Paris was a sanctuary for artists, writers, thinkers, and Americans looking to escape prohibition and the violent repression of Black and Queer peoples. Out Black American Josephine Baker dazzled Parisian audiences before becoming a French freedom fighter during the German occupation. 1920s Paris was where a young journalist named Ernest Hemingway refined his minimalist writing style – partly to reduce the cost of wiring his reports back home. Paris is where out Jewish American writer Gertrude Stein held salons and sponsored up-and-coming modern artists from the wise and colorful Henri Matisse to the passionate communist Pablo Picasso.

Paris was a place filled with youthful creative energy while also reeling from the trauma of WWI after politicians, generals, and intellectuals eagerly pushed Europe into the horrors of war. It was a place where poets and artists challenged the failure of the elites by questioning society’s core values. They responded to the absurdity of their times with even greater absurdity in what became known as the Dada movement.

Our writers went searching for the stories and ideas that tell us the happenings of Queer and Trans peoples in Providence today and found troublemakers, poets, leaders, and a community that challenges the elites of today. Providence is a place alive with Queer and Trans art and activism that questions authority. Our community is building the new cultural and political ideas for the 21st Century and Options is the magazine that will cover it.

As editor-in-chief, it is my pleasure to present Options Magazine’s The Community Edition.

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

June 2023

Volume XLI, Issue 1

Editor-in-Chief

Alex Morash editor@optionsri.org

Resources Editor & Social Media Coordinator

Derek Sherlock resources@optionsri.org

Copy Editors

Kwana Adams, Ryan Vigneau, Mike Marrapodi, Gil Pontes, Grant Pike, and Patty Hayes

Graphic & Layout Design

Harini Rajagopalan

Advertising & Development Director

Gil Pontes advertising@optionsri.org

Contributors

Kwana Adams, Grant Pike, Felicia Nimue Ackerman, Ryan Vigneau, and Gil Pontes

Directors

Ryan Vigneau, Jackie Goldman, Patty Hayes, Dr. Mike Marrapodi, Kwana Adams, Daniel Byrnes, and Grant Pike

Cover: Options Cover Collage by Alex Morash and Harini Rajagopalan

PO Box 6406 Providence, RI 02940 401-217-3939

www.optionsri.org

Cheers, Alex Morash

IN THIS ISSUE:

A special thank you to our great advertisers. The 2023 Community Edition wouldn’t have happened without you!

Options All Stars

Options Board of Directors and Sta

The Eagle - Platinum Sponsor

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Options Legends

UNFI

Thundermist Health Center

Rhode Island Housing

Options Shero

PPAC

The George on Washington

Friends of Options

City of Providence, O ce of the Mayor

PFLAG Providence

The Chapel of St. Therese of Lisieux

For our free online edition, visit optionsri.org; email subscriptions@optionsri.org; or write to: Options

PO Box 6406, Providence, RI 02940.

© OPTIONS 2023 The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily refect 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.

FROM THE OPTIONS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Last year, Options reached an incredible milestone: advocating and providing education for the LGBTQIA+ community for 40 years. In the 2022 print edition, our previous chair promised Options would “keep the flame burning until it is time for us to pass the torch to those who will take Options through the next 40 years.” As we step into our fifth decade, we are grateful for the foundation those before us built and eager to reach for the stars of our future. Rhode Island has a wealth of diverse Queer people who hold a variety of stories, and Options hopes to continue sharing those stories well beyond our lifetimes.

The past few years have not been kind to our community. We witnessed the introduction of hundreds of bills targeting BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ people across the nation and, in some states, very little re-

sistance to them. The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in economic instability for many of us. Transgender and gender diverse people have been increasingly targeted just for existing and holding space. There is a wave of vitriol trying to erase our stories, but, as history shows, we persist.

Every time hate reared its ugly head, an even louder chant of love and support came booming. Rhode Island’s Black Lives Matter protests and movements against anti-trans rhetoric rallied people who share our experiences and emphasized those experiences are baked into history. The younger generations continue to come out in droves in support of our most marginalized, demonstrating that our future is in good hands. Last year, Rhode Island had over 30 LGBTQIA+ candidates run for political office, a record of representation that will only keep growing. Hope is on our horizon.

As we look into our future, we at Options strive to bear our histories and stories and immortalize them for years to come. We aim to grow our reach to a wider, younger, and more diverse audience, connecting with all corners of our vibrant community and weave a tapestry of our lives. It’s no simple task and it’s not a task we can do alone, so we open the door to you, our readers, to contribute your piece of our connected tale and aid us in continuing to spread Queer history. We at Options invite you to fearlessly continue to share your stories. Shout them as loud as you can and even louder in the face of adversity. Our stories are permanent, intertwined, and deserve to be told. To all our readers, advertisers, sponsors, and supporters… THANK YOU! Let us partner to create a beautiful future that hosts all our colors and walks of life.

Gratefully yours,

Ryan Vigneau, Chair Options Board of Directors

Board Chair, Ryan Vigneau

NEWS BRIEFS

By Gil Pontes

Options Magazine is Sad to Report the Passing of TC Rogers

Providence Public Library for all to access in perpetuity. They donated time and resources, never wanting to take credit. Rogers put their heart and soul into their communities, including being very active in their child’s school. Rogers will be sorely missed by the Options community, and many others. Our hearts and prayers go out to their family, friends, and loved ones.

Pride Update:

Former Options board chair, TC Rogers, passed away on Janauary 13. Rogers gave so much to the LGBTQ+ community. They frequently volunteered in the local campaign for equal marriage rights, and they’ve been a stalwart supporter of Options Magazine, writing stories and serving as board president from 2017-2020, overseeing a major e ort to archive all of Options’ publications at the

Rhode Island Pride has announced this year’s PrideFest, and the Illuminated Night Parade will take place June 17. Rhode Island Pride is back with a vendor exhibition area, community resource hub, main stage entertainment, and so much more. Last year’s Pride events drew over 200,000 into the city of Providence, and this year appears to be promising as well. Further inside, you’ll find a map of the parade events and route!

We want to marry you!

CDC Survey: 1 in 4 High School Students Identify as LGBTQ+

A recent survey from the CDC found that approximately 26 percent of high school students identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. This is an increase from 2015, where 11 percent of those students surveyed identified themselves as a member of the Queer and Trans community. The breakdown of the 26 percent is as follows: 12.2 percent identify as Bisexual, 5.2 percent as questioning, 3.9 percent as other, 3.8 percent as Gay or Lesbian, and 1.8 percent didn’t understand the question as asked.

Queer Achievers

Both on the national and state level, a new generation of Queer leadership is rising through the ranks. Here in Rhode Island, Grant Pike, Jackie Goldman, and Kwana

The Chapel of St . Therese of Lisieux An inclusive Catholic community 1500 Main Street, West Warwick, RI 02893

We provide same sex wedding services in the Catholic tradition in our historic church or at other venues of (401) 680 9076

Adams have joined the board of Options RI. Ryan Vigneau has become the Chair of Options’ Board of Directors. Jacob Hunnicutt has been named Director of Development for RI Queer PAC, along with Tyson Bishop, Kelly Doern, and Julia Arcisz joining as Education and Training Developer, Volunteer Recruiter, and Executive Support repectively. Peter Salhaney joins Open Door Health as their Project Director. On the national stage, Options’ own Gil Pontes has been named Director of Development at The Nora Project.

“Don’t Say Gay” and AntiTrans Bills Introduced in RI State Legislature This Session

As Queer and Trans rights are under attack by Congressional Republicans, and state legislatures across the country, we here in Rhode Island have unfortunately seen “Don’t Say Gay” and anti-trans bills filed in our own state legislature. HB 5688, filed by Representative Patricia Morgan, seeks to replicate the “Don’t Say Gay” bill that was championed and signed into law by Florida Governor and Republican presidential contender Ron DeSantis. Meanwhile SB 391, filed by Senator Elaine Morgan, bars Trans athletes from competing in organized sports that match their gender identity. HB 5688 is currently being held in committee for further study, and SB 391 has been referred to committee as well.

Happy Pride Fest!

Giving Caring, Confdential Support When You Need It Most HELPLINE: (401) 307 1802

Monthly support meetings held on the 1st Wednesday of the month on Zoom @7pm. Requires registration via website below. In person meetings at the Met School, 325 Public St., Providence on 2nd Tuesday of the month @ 6:45 pm. No registration required.

www.PFLAGprovidence.org

Email: PFLAGprovidence@gmail.com

Montana Silences Trans Elected Official

On the national stage, along with legislative attacks on our rights as a community, allies and members of the Queer and Trans community serving in our state legislatures are facing ugly attacks from opponents of our community. State Representative Zooey Zephyr, from District 100 in Montana, was barred from the House floor after speaking out against a bill that would ban gender-a rming healthcare for youth. Zephyr, who is Trans herself, will now only be able to vote remotely for the rest of Montana’s legislative session.

Smithfield School Committee Considering Policy to Out LGBTQ Students to Parents

Smithfield School Committee members are considering a policy that would have strong repercussions for LGBTQ+ students. These proposed changes may go against best practices recommended by the state Department of Education and, potentially, against state and federal laws. Under the guise of parental rights, this new policy would allow o cials in the schools to out LGBTQ+ students to their parents, without the consent of the student.

SAGE-RI Has Become Pride in Aging

In Rhode Island, there’s a new name for a long-standing organization within our Queer and Trans tapestry. SAGE-RI has undergone a name change and will be now known as Pride in Aging RI. Pride in Aging RI is Rhode Island’s resource dedicated to helping LGBTQ+ seniors achieve a high quality of life through education, advocacy, and social activities and services.

Pride in Aging RI engages our LGBTQ+ elders and promotes positive images of LGBT+ life in later years.

THANK YOU DONORS!

T C Rogers

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Options Donors

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Mongeon, Carolyn

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Karen McKenna

SAFE ZONES CONTINUE TO SUPPORT YOUTH

By Scott Gowrie

This article was sponsored by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island. Bautista-Ravreby, BCBSRI’s diversity, equity & inclusion manager.

Maybe you know a teenager who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community. If so, you may understand that it’s essential for people, especially kids, to find safe and a rming spaces in which they can present who they are authentically. Safe Zones provide these spaces for youth to address their physical and behavioral healthcare needs.

Over the past seven years, 80 facilities have achieved Safe Zone designation. They have shown their commitment to delivering safe, affirming, and inclusive care and have been certified by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI). They serve a critical need for LGBTQ Rhode Islanders of all ages facing specific care challenges.

“We understand that feeling respected and safe is critical to the LGBTQ community, which has historically experienced mistreatment and discrimination in healthcare settings,” said Jenny

“We’re pleased that our Safe Zone program continues its steady growth and now includes a broad range of services,” she added. “This latest group importantly includes providers that o er gender-a rming care and sexual health services, including practices that specialize in serving adolescents.”

One of the newest Safe Zone providers is Hasbro Children’s Hospital Adolescent Medical Clinic, which provides specialized care in sexual and reproductive health, gender-affirming services, and eating disorders. This facility joins a long list of Safe Zones that provide care specifically for youth and young adults.

Safe Zone sites o er a variety of services including primary care, behavioral health, oral health, pediatric care, physical rehabilitation, child and family services, support for individuals who have experienced sexual assault, domestic

abuse, substance abuse, and more.

The BCBSRI LGBTQ Safe Zone program welcomes all healthcare facilities identifying themselves as supporters of the LGBTQ community to apply, with the goal of ensuring that members of the LGBTQ community have safe, equitable access to healthcare without fear of discrimination.

When visiting a certified Safe Zone, you can expect that sta have completed cultural competency training specific to the care of LGBTQ patients. Safe Zones also o er protection for patients and sta from discrimination based on gender identity or expression, have gender-neutral bathrooms, use inclusive forms and procedures, and have made a public commitment to connecting with and serving the LGBTQ community.

You can find a certified Safe Zone location and explore the services available to Rhode Islanders of all ages at bcbsri.com/safezones.

QUEERS GOING WILD

EXPRESSING QUEERNESS THROUGH NATURE

By Grant Pike

As we enter Pride season here in New England, it is important to see other ways for the community to connect and express the joy of being Queer and Trans. In that e ort, Options’ own Grant Pike went exploring to see how Queer and Trans people connect to nature. Here they lay out their journey of finding Queers in the wild!

Connecting to the land as sacred and nourishing is an act of joy and self-care. As the Black Lesbian Feminist Audre Lorde says, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” So, follow this gender-expansive fey in the woods to see why being in nature in New England is fun and essential for the Queer community.

I’ve always felt myself when in the forest. It’s my spot to be myself and feel most connected to what is around me. Memories of wandering around the state park that my family lived next to as a child remind this writer of feeling fey and free. In school and later at work, this feeling of fey – fairy energy – and Queerness was pushed down. As a Queer kid, turning to nature always created an authentic reflection of who I was. I never saw that later as an adult at clubs or bars. It never fit into those spaces and it didn’t match expectations.

In work and school, there was always this sense that one must limit how we could self-express our

gender and sexuality if it was anything other than heterosexual and cis-gendered. Gay bars and LGBTQ clubs had their own rules on what was and wasn’t Queer.

The forest, on the other hand, always accepted me. To feel at home under the trees. To touch the rich earth. To express oneself as a fey feminine lithe being. To run free. At the same time, one could channel one’s masculinity and climb a tree or build a fort. In the wild, one is free to simply be a gender-expansive being who doesn’t have to explain oneself to the forest.

This experience had me thinking: Am I the only one who feels this way? When most Queer expression is pushed to bars, clubs, and commerce, one may doubt themselves or our own Queerness if we don’t fit into that part of the LGBTQ+ community.

This led to a journey to find and chat with Queers who go out into the woods rather than clubs and bars — and asked them how do other Queer folks in the area find ways to express their Queer identity and love of being outdoors and in nature?

This led to sit downs with two very di erent leaders in New England to discuss what is so unique about nature to them and how they act as leaders for others to get out into the wild. Tam Willie is a certified Forest Therapy Guide who brings folks into nature for its therapeutic benefits. Jordan Gold-

“In work and school, there was always this sense that one must limit how we could self-express our gender and sexuality if it was anything other than heterosexual and cis-gendered....The forest, on the other hand, always accepted me.”

smith runs Moonrose Farms with their wife, Melissa Denmark, in Rehoboth, MA, and Cranston, RI. Each brought a sense of awe and inspiration as leaders in bringing the LGBTQ+ community closer to nature.

TAM WILLIE’S FOREST THERAPY IN NEW ENGLAND

This writer first heard about Forest Therapy a few years ago and instantly became excited about it. The concept comes from shindin yoku (forest bathing) the idea is that going into the forest creates calm, joy, and relaxation.

It has been studied since the

early 1980s and gained prominence in the past decade. As someone who grew up wandering around the woods and feeling so magical and connected, it was a natural attraction. So, to find a local certified guide in the southern New England area who is Queer was outstanding. This writer met Tam Willie while I was completing a 5-day intensive training for Forest Therapy and was excited

“The concept of Forest Therapy comes from shindin yoku (forest bathing) the idea is that going into the forest creates calm, joy, and relaxation. It has been studied since the early 1980s and gained prominence in the past decade.”

Image of a forest from Unsplash.com

to know they were living near Rhode Island.

Willie leads Forest Therapy walks as a certified trainer, and they sat down with Options to discuss their work. They are a mentor and trainer with the Association of Nature and Forest

Therapy (ANFT) and have actively gotten Queer and Trans people into nature over the past decade. Listening to Willie, they spoke calmly and peacefully and they radiate the serenity one often searches for in nature.

Willie explained what Forest

Therapy and being in nature is. Going into the forest has been a part of everyone’s lives, as Willie explained that “it is very core and activates a primal side of us” and that “being in nature is really second nature.” As one who went into the woods for play, this writer shared their sentiment. When we touched on what being Queer in nature is for them, Willie explained that Queer and Trans beings “get really stuck in our heads and on the internet too much, that we’re just having these kinds of conversations about gender and identity.” Yet, Willie noted “I think it’s really hard to know what’s true for us without being immersed in having a regular nature connection.”

There is a genuine sense that Willie has deep care and compassion for others and what they call “the other than human world,” being “all the inhabitants of the forest.” They related that being in nature made them feel more of themselves, more alive, and more present and engaged: “When I say nature connection, I mean in the

“It was clear that community and building positive connections were important for Goldsmith. When asked why it was so special being Queer in nature, Goldsmith talked about the feeling of being connected to the land and how much that makes her feel alive and interconnected to others and other species.”

Tam Willie sitting among the pines.

form of getting outside, touching dirt, being in the woods like any kind of unplugging from technology.”

They discuss how it started for them: “I know that there was something really rewarding about hiking” and that after their first hiking experience, it was “really mind-blowing to me that you could pack a backpack and just walk o into the woods.”

Willie is a gender-expansive person who gives o this serene and welcoming sense. Living with

their partner in Boston, they get out of the city a lot and they work to encourage others to get out to the forest as well. Sitting down with them made me feel at ease, and I can see why they can easily lead others into nature so often.

Willie is a dynamic person and brings who they are to their love of nature. “What I o er people is Tam Willie, Forest Therapy Guide, and mentor.” For Willie, being Queer in nature has meant they bring more of themselves to others. “The biggest thing that

Forest Therapy has brought me is this more expansive perspective in holding space for people.” They weave in who they are as a Queer transmasculine people into their love of the natural world: “I think it’s super important to just get o ine. I think Queer and Trans people could really benefit from getting o ine and just being with people in person.”

This is the core part of Forest Therapy, to see the mental health benefits of getting outside. With the recent legislative attacks on the Queer community, finding ways to be Queer and joyful are so important. The therapeutic benefits, finding a deeper connection to who we are, and becoming more aware of what is important are all big reasons for the Queer community to access Forest Therapy.

Willie leads forest walks in the Boston area and in collaboration with Base Camp in Vermont, part of VentureOut a Queer hiking non-profit that centers outdoor adventures for the LGBTQ+ community in New England. You can reach Willie – who holds regular forest walks – at their website ToadstoolWalks.com

JORDAN GOLDSMITH’S QUEER FARMING IN THE RHODE ISLAND AREA

Being connected to the land is so essential and vital. Knowing where your food comes from and is local is an amazing feeling. Better yet, to know that local Queer farms are feeding the Rhode Is-

Jordan Goldsmith at her farm.

land and south coast area is extraordinary. That is why Options sat down with Jordan Goldsmith, who co-runs Moonrose Farms in Rehobeth, MA, with her wife.

She had a steady and grounded demeanor to them as we talked. One can easily see the welcoming e ect

start that way as she explained, “I didn’t always feel like my gender and Queerness were celebrated in who I was as a chef.” She went on to say the shift from being a chef to farming made sense, as she related that “what we are doing is making food accessible to people who are experiencing food insecurities and build community through it.”

Goldsmith and her wife both have a clear intention of getting access to the land for the Queer community. Being a Queer Women-run farm was important as Goldsmith faced a lot of barriers in learning how to farm and wanted to make others’ experiences easier and more fulfilling. She explained, “That was important for us to create the ability for people to have a safe learning environment, group, program where they are not going to feel that their gender, sexual orientation, ability, or anything is discriminated when they are learning how to farm.”

It was clear that community and building positive connections were important for Goldsmith. When asked why it was so special being Queer in nature, Goldsmith talked about the feeling of being connected to the land and how much that makes her feel alive and interconnected to others and other species. She went on to say: “It’s also that theirs no judgment. The ability to feel connected to others by being connected to the land.”

Access to nature for Goldsmith creates opportunities for Queer people to have a deeper connection to nourishing their bodies: “With how much hate and harm is directed at the Queer and Trans community, it is a space where it is free of persecution, and having access to nature gives people the ability to sort of shut things o for a little while and let your mind rest.”

of having such a presence a farm has on one visiting their farmstands in Cranston, RI, or Rehobeth, MA. There was a lot of excitement in Goldsmith’s tone as she talked about the work she is doing with her wife to create a community supported agriculture (CSA) and educate local Rhode Island Queer young persons on how to farm.

Goldsmith wanted a better way for the Queer community to connect to the land, though it didn’t

Goldsmith and her wife help create pathways for Queer folk to learn about agriculture “even if they don’t fit the bill on what a farmer looks like”. Right now, Moonrose Farm is beginning to be a full swing with the growing season. You can visit them at Moonrosefarms, find them online at MoonroseFarm.com and check out the many ways to connect to food, farming, and agriculture near Providence.

Image of a forest from Unsplash.com

FELICITATIONS: DOUBLE WEDDING

By Felicia Nimue Ackerman

Double Wedding

Nell and Cecily, loving each other, Said to Ferdinand, Nell’s older brother, “Please be there when we’re tying the knot.” He replied, just as quick as a shot, “If you’ll come on the fifteenth of June When I’m marrying Peter at noon.”

Double Wedding is part of the poem series Felicitations by Felicia Nimue Ackerman. Ackerman is a professor of philosophy at Brown University and has had over 200 poems published in a wide range of places. We are lucky to get to have a few of them published right here at Options Magazine.

PRIDE CALENDAR

SO MANY WAYS TO CELEBRATE PRIDE IN RHODE ISLAND.

Saturday, June 3:

• Woonsocket Pride, 4pm, World War II Veterans Memorial Park, Woonsocket, RI

• Little Compton Pride, 1pm – 4pm, Town Commons, Little Compton, RI

• North Kingstown Pride, 10m – 2pm, Parade starts at Wickford Town Dock, North Kingstown, RI

Monday, June 5: Options Pride Kick-O Party

• Options annual Pride kick-o party is back for another year. This year’s launch party is at Revival Brewing & Lost Valley Pizza at 50 Sims Avenue Providence, RI 02909 starting at 6 pm

Friday, June 16:

• Stag Pride Opening Party at The Eagle

Saturday, June 17:

• 47th Rhode Island PrideFest & Illuminated Night Parade in Providence, RI

• Festival begins at noon at the Providence Innovation District Park

• Parade begins at 8pm. Map of the parade route is below.

• Additional events include block parties at The Eagle, The George On Washington Street, and Mirabar.

Sunday, June 18:

• Eagle PVD Pride Tea Dance Noon - 6 pm

• Eagle PVD Pride Closing Party 8 Pm - 2 AM

Saturday, June 24:

• Newport Pride, 12 pm – 6 pm, 21 Farewell St. Newport, RI

Thursday, June 29:

• South County Pride, 3 pm-9:30 pm on Main Street in Wakefield, RI

AS CICILLINE EXITS CONGRESS, REFLECTS ON PROGRESS MADE AND IMPORTANCE OF LGBTQ REPRESENTATION

By Ryan Vigneau

Congressman David Cicilline announced he was stepping down from the United States House of Representatives to lead the Rhode Island Foundation. Options sat down with Cicilline to review his legacy, and what lies beyond the door he opened for Queer representation in Rhode Island Politics.

After almost 30 years in public o ce serving the State of Rhode Island, David Cicilline leaves behind a legacy of LGBTQIA+ representation at the local, state, and federal level. Cicilline became a household name in the Ocean State, and he is the highest-rank-

ing LGBTQIA+ person from Rhode Island in politics. From 1995 to 2003, Cicilline served in Rhode Island’s House of Representatives, after that he was the first openly Gay mayor of Providence, and in 2010 he took the national stage when he was elected to serve in Congress from Rhode Island’s First Congressional District. “When I got elected, there were three of us who were members of the LGBTQ community, Tammy Baldwin, Jared Polis and me, actually Barney Frank, there are four and then Barney retired … it’s di erent today, there are now ten LGBTQ people in the House and two in the Senate. So we’ve grown our

ranks considerably, and I think it’ll continue to grow.”

Since he has been in Congress, Cicilline has been a leader on LGBTQ issues: He chaired the Congressional Equality Caucus and as chair, led the first-ever meeting between the caucus and a sitting U.S. president. He sponsored the recently signed into law Respect for Marriage Act which federally recognizes same-sex and interracial marriages. He has been the sponsor of the Equality Act which if enacted would prevent discrimination in public areas based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity, and the Global Respect Act which would prevent visa-blocking based on someone’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex. Through his leadership, he also secured a total of $103.5 million for the Global Equality Fund and funds for the protection of LGBTQI+ persons through the Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation through United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

“I think when a member of our community is elected to any o ce, we take with us the responsibility not only to represent our constituents in our district, or state or city, whatever your area of jurisdiction is, but also we take on an additional responsibility

to be sure that we’re also representing our community,” Cicilline stated as he discussed his feelings about stepping into Congress as an openly Gay person. He added, “I also have the responsibility to advance equality for our community and make sure that I was doing everything I could to be sure that we could all live in a country once and for all, where we were guaranteed full equality.”

troduce themselves.

In one of Cicilline’s first elections, his opponent, Rhoda Perry, who was the incumbent state senator at the time, wrote such a letter, starting it with “My mother Teresa” and thus began the decades-long tradition in Rhode Island politics of writing an introduction letter to voters. Cicilline may not have been victorious against Perry but went on to represent Providence’s East Side in the RI House of Representatives in 1995.

Cicilline’s legacy runs deeper into Rhode Island than his work in Congress. If you have ever been involved in a political campaign in this state, you have probably heard of a “Mother T Letter.” The Mother T Letter is a 30-year-old tradition for Rhode Island candidates; a multi-page autobiography about the candidate that is mailed out to their voters to in-

Cicilline has a deep connection with the Ocean State and talks openly about why he loves Rhode Island: “The most extraordinary thing I’ve ever worked on, is that it has within it, communities from almost every place in the world and people from all over the world.” He also told Options: “We have our own kind of creative thoughts about virtually every issue. And I think it makes for a really interesting place to live. It’s really the people I guess, is the short answer.”

His largest challenge he sees for Rhode Islanders is housing: “The issue of housing feels like we have had a housing crisis since I was old enough to know what the word crisis meant … that’s the center of everything –is this centerpiece of your ability to go to school, hold a job, be part of a family.”

“Cicilline has a deep connection with the Ocean State and talks openly about why he loves Rhode Island.”

In February, Cicilline announced he was retiring from Congress on June 1, to become the president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation, a philanthropic organization that funds various grants and scholarships throughout the state.

“Our state has one of the oldest and largest committee foundations in America,” Cicilline says as the future CEO of the organization. The reason he is stepping down from Congress at such a pivotal time Cicilline explains is, “the reason I ran for o ce in the first place and why I continued to stay in o ce, is to help the lives of Rhode Islanders … it was clear I’d have a better impact helping people working with them.” Cicilline added that “it’s the largest community foundation in the country, it has a strong reputation as an honest broker, it has the ability to convene people to tackle the biggest challenges we face in Rhode Island.”

The Rhode Island Foundation has been a pillar in the state since 1916 with the mission of “meeting the needs of the people of Rhode Island.” With a new CEO stepping in, we asked Cicilline what his vision and plans were for the organization. He told Options:

“There are three strategic pillars that the foundation has identified: ensuring all are allowed to have access to quality a ordable health care, improving the quality of the public educational experience of young people, and creating economic opportunities for all Rhode Islanders … I want to study the work that’s being done … All of this, of course, done through the lens of equity. Because if we don’t address equity in each of these areas, we’re never going to achieve the long-term objectives.”

The legacy that Cicilline is leaving behind goes beyond just his work. For the last 30 years, Rhode Island has had someone from the LGBTQIA+ community at the table making sure decision-makers heard about equity issues. Cicilline explained that “it’s very important for us to continue to, you know, recruit and support and help elect members of our own community.” He added: “Having allies is really important, but it makes a big di erence for us to be in the room. You know, that old saying, if you’re not in the room, if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.”

Cicilline had a lot to say on Queer representation in politics, “we have to continue momentum by sup-

porting organizations that are helping LGBTQ people in a variety of di erent ways, including those organizations that help us run for o ce.”

In 2022, well over twenty LGBTQIA+ candidates ran for local and state o ces in Rhode Island with the support of organizations like the RI Queer PAC and the LGBTQ Victory Fund. Providence even elected its second Gay mayor, Brett Smiley, following the lead of David Cicilline. Currently, Rhode Island has two state representatives and four state senators who are openly LGBTQIA+, and plenty of Queer town and city councilors, including Providence’s City Council President Rachel Miller. Cicilline noted that “we’re still severely underrepresented in terms of numbers, but we’re making real progress.”

This lack of representation is really seen when we look at the T of LGBTQIA+. As of 2023, there are zero Transgender or Non-binary people in the Rhode Island General Assembly, and their representation in town and city councils is few and far between. To re-quote Cicilline: “If you’re not in the room, if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” and in the wake of over 469 anti-LGBTQ pieces of legislation filed in the last year throughout the country, most of which directly impact Transgender people, the Trans and non-binary communities need to be at the table.

Cicilline had a few words for future Transgender candidates, “just be authentic, be who you are, be proud of who you are, and be unapologetic by demanding full equality.” He went on to tell Options his frustration when the topic of equality is challenged: “Very often people on the other side of the aisle will try to say, oh, you know, I don’t have any problem with you. It’s not personal. And, you know, we remind them, actually, it is personal.”

Rhode Island is ramping up for the 2024 election cycle, there is time and opportunity for the Ocean State to follow Cicilline’s advice on representation and elect more Trans and non-binary people to our government. Cicilline is confident in the movement’s work going forward ending the discussion saying, “I think we’re going to have a Trans woman elected to Congress very soon.”

QUEERING HISTORY: CREATING ARCHIVES, COMMUNITY, AND OPENNESS

By Kwana Adams

When we go through the timeline of Queer history in Rhode Island, we can’t help but notice the lack of evidence for many events. Queer history is happening, but some stories are lost or forgotten. I am a storyteller. There are stories beneath the surface that I can’t find, but when I do, they will be some of the best ever told.

The Queer Reflections Lab: Where Have We Gone From Here was born out of a need to document and collect stories. This project brings together community collaborators from the Queer worlds of Providence journalism, archiving, art, and community-building to collectively investigate stories, archives, and ephemera pertaining to Queer people of color’s history in RI. As collaborators, this writer, Selene Means, Janaya Kizzie, Kotone Deguchi, Virginia Thomas, Gem Marley, and Julio Berroa share the same vision.

As the facilitator of The Queer Reflections Lab (QRL), Selene Means is excited to be given an opportunity to uplift the community that he knows has stories and history that we need to learn from, lest we repeat the same mistakes. Means told Options “I hope we can move forward with experiments of new forms of Pride and that Queer people of color in Providence feel like they are not invisible and we can create change in our own ways.”

There’s a meta layer to this: We don’t even know what stories we forget because there’s no documentation or stories told. For example, Rhode Island Pride had two listening sessions for the community on February 28, 2019, and May 9, 2019. The only documentation of the

February 28 listening session is a single Facebook post by Rhode Island Pride. The second session documentation was created by Means, the facilitator of this project, who filmed the session and saved it for a rainy day.

RI Pride comes up in many conversations about RI LGBTQ history, with some finding it lacking in telling these stories. Julio Berroa doesn’t mince words about it: “Rhode Island Pride has built its culture on not being transparent with the community.” Berroa has been very open about their accusations of harm Rhode Island Pride has caused the community and them personally.

RI Pride is seen as the main event for the community due to its massive size, but not many people know what lurks beyond the surface. Berroa is just one of multiple sources in the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community who told Options they do not feel protected or welcome in RI Pride spaces. Option Magazine reached out to RI Pride leadership to be interviewed about the success of last year’s Pride and if they would be open to discussing questions brought up by the community and did not receive a response.

Justice Gaines facilitated both RI Pride listening sessions. However, Gaines believes it is time we give less of our attention to Pride and more to creating smaller communities. “How much do we actually want to give to RI Pride?” is the question Gaines asks. They believe we should begin to shift our focus to smaller, more welcoming groups.

QRL doesn’t define ourselves in

“Gaines believes it is time we give less of our attention to Pride and more to creating smaller communities.”

relation to RI Pride or our oppression. There is more than one goal of the Queer Reflections Lab: We want to archive, create, and store history; create open, safe, and sometimes sober spaces; and we want to remind our community that there are BIPOC people in the room. Accountability is definitely owed to the community as a whole from RI Pride, but at the same time, we are getting ready to begin breaking apart one large piece into smaller, easily accessible ones. This is what the QRL aims to do.

With this project, we are floating down many avenues, and chasing historical rabbit holes through archival work. QRL will be centering Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (QTBIPOC) experiences locally in Providence and aims to make the process as participatory as possible. I am eager to create work that helps more people find their community and previous communities we may not have been taught about.

Berroa points out that one important solution is to have more healing spaces. They argue that we need them and we also need spaces that aren’t all drinking and partying. Berroa points out that the important aspect of having these spaces is for people to know that these spaces exist. There are many Queer organizations and people who provide and create these spaces but don’t get the press that larger organizations do. Berroa and others are looking for the day our community starts to uplift these spaces so the underrepresented side of the community will find it easier to create and join spaces as they

please. That day came when Means brought this writer, Janaya Kizzie, Kotone Deguchi, Virginia Thomas, Gem Marley, and Julio Berroa together to create something out of the things that were mentioned but not documented. How does it help us think more carefully about what a truly radical Queer community should look like? What are we trying to say and do with this project?

Our aim is to create a resource that counteracts the historical erasure of the QTBIPOC community so that we have a place for people to turn to when they want more information. We will know how to access these archives we create and share what’s in them, ensuring we have opportunities to be heard and find community. We want to see our community move forward, thriving with the knowledge of our resilience and creativity.

I’m excited to collaborate with

community members doing the work.

Knowledge is what takes us from the past into the future and keeps us learning. Kotone Deguchi is always learning: learning how to learn and learning that they can learn things outside of their field. They are a facilitator who is comfortable being a sounding board, giving feedback, and sharing ideas with the group as a whole.

Deguchi is particularly interested in dissolving the division between “you are the audience, and we are the storytellers.” They added that: “We are not here to get on a podium and spew ideas. QRL is here to collect and archive your stories, the stories of the community.”

However, as Justice Gaines

“Berroa and others are looking for the day our community starts to uplift these spaces so the underrepresented side of the community will find it easier to create and join spaces as they please.“

explains, we aim to “focus on and cultivate what kind of space we want to build.” Gaines joined us one afternoon to share ideas and provide insight on what communities we can hope to create. We cannot build a single space for the entirety of the Queer community, but we can act as a stepping stone to creating small communities for everyone, instead of one big community that has morphed and changed so much over the years, it is now unrecognizable.

Being able to tell untold and underrepresented stories is what excites Gem Marley about QRL, “I want to create space for other stories to be told, heard, and appreciated in ways they haven’t before.” This is a large aspect of what we are trying to do. There are stories that are being told, but where are they? Virginia Thomas is an educator and historian. In her own words, “history does no good locked away in archives.” There is much more to this project than storytelling. It is also about collecting and archiving those stories for history. Yet and still, there’s more.

We are excited to have the space and time to experiment with ways of telling history. Learning from collaborating with community members who are doing the work, finding problems, introducing solutions, and sharing their stories is what this is all about. These are stories from those who have been harmed by the white supremacy that exists in LGBTQ+ spaces, and we are ready to bring those to light.

This project can help bring a level of transparency not only to the harm done but the stories that were stifled. This project aims to bring those stories out and create a footprint that anyone can access freely. As Janaya Kizzie explains, “this is a chance to document Queer stories in a way that is uniquely ours and inspires future discourse, activity, and further creative documentation.”

Kizzie is ready to see our community move forward, thriving with the knowledge of our resilience and creativity. QRL is not just for us, the collaborators. It is for the past, present, and future of the

Queer community. It’s shedding a light on QTBIPOC groups, who are often left out of conversations.

Collaboration is the largest tool in the QRL toolbox. We are all collaborators, but again, no podium can be found. This is not an exclusive club; we have welcomed more collaborators to discuss and share their stories. As part of those discussions, QRL held public meetings where community members shared their thoughts. One speaker, who only gave their first name, Koach, like Berroa, is interested in spaces where folks can be sober, supported, and everyone understands that we all come from trauma.

There need to be spaces where we can share that if we’d please, but spaces where we can be away from it when we need to. Another member who was at the event who only gave the name, Lotus, spoke about how they would love to create gazeless spaces; explaining that sometimes, it’s terrifying to be public: “I’m craving spaces of complexity, stop canceling each other, and to connect with our bodies, which creates capacity for complexity.”

The Queer Reflections Lab is still in its early stages, but every day, it continues to blossom and grow new stems that also blossom, and so on. As part of the Interlace Grant, there are steps we must take, but rest assured, these steps will only benefit the improvement and growth of the community. In the meantime, you may find one or many of us reaching out. Stay tuned for more Queer Reflections Lab information via Instagram @ QueerReflectionsLab and at Options Magazine.

Justice Gaines at RI Pride listening session.

AT CREATING CHANGE, COMMUNITY IS BUILT ONE PERSON AT A TIME

By Ryan Vigenau

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the National LGBTQ Task Force. Options was on the ground in San Fransisco for the Task Force’s Creating Change, the week-long LGBTQ conference that has been held nearly every year since 1988, and interviewed conferencegoers on their experience and what Creating Change means to them.

The Task Force started in 1973, originally named the National Gay Task Force, changed to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in 1985, and now advocates for the entirety of the LGBTQIA+ community. The Task Force is the oldest national LGBTQ advocacy group with a history that includes getting the first meeting between the White House and LGBTQ activists in 1977.

Creating Change is meant to bring LGBTQIA+ activists from around the country together, educate and train them, share resources between them, and then organize in their own communities. The confer-

ence started in 1988 after activists around the country were asking for training and resources after the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights where as the Task Force describes it “the message of the 1987 March was clear: go home and get to work.”

This history of connecting and organizing still reverberates in the conference decades later. During my time at the conference, I had the pleasure of connecting with many of these activists and learning about the work that was being done to support Queer people nationally, and wanted to share their experiences alongside mine.

On Day One of the conference, I attended the Unión=Fuerza Latinx Institute, an all-day workshop centering LGBTQIA+ Latinx people, their experiences, and ways to reduce stigmas through our activism. Right from the beginning there was an emphasis on language justice, and anyone who was not bilingual

in English and Spanish was given an earpiece to get translation services.

Throughout the day there was a series of panel discussions about Latinx activism, the experience of LGBTQIA+ Latinx people in the South, and stigmas surrounding sex work and how it related directly to LGBTQIA+ people. One of the highlight activities we did was we broke o into groups and each group either drew or wrote out their feelings on what Latinx Liberation meant. There was a lot of discussion around having freedom from conservative gender norms and breaking free from oppression (our group had hands breaking free of chains), to challenging assimilation and not losing important pieces of culture to “fit in” with the rest of society.

Day Two had another day-long workshop, this one focused on LGBTQIA+ Economic Justice. This institute guided us to understand ourselves and our connections with wealth and assets (like housing, jobs, etc). Given that our economic system is driven by people, they started with an exercise of sharing our personal stories with a small group. The experience helped me see how everyone goes through a series of “ups and downs” under capitalism, and that everyone in the group was uplifting each other throughout each story. Knowing that other activists nationwide experienced similar struggles that I face in my work was reassuring and gave fuel for future work.

Devan McDaniels from Detroit, MI, a business agent and organizer for United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Union Local 876 said a highlight for them “was just recognizing what an amazing and diverse community we all belong to and to see the multitude of backgrounds, where everyone was at in life, was amazing.” McDaniel elaborated, saying

“it was so empowering to be in a space of my peers, where I didn’t have to mask; where I could be my authentic self and be loved and accepted for it.”

McDaniels is pushing to establish an OUTreach chapter for their local union, a constituency group of their union that helps elevate Queer membership and advocate for LGBTQIA+ voices. Another UCFW employee Chris Knight from Philadelphia, PA, and the field services coordinator for his Local 1776 told Options: “I’ve been able to take a look at our contracts that we have coming up to renegotiate and see if we have the best and most inclusive language to defend workers from discrimination. Additionally, we are taking a look at our health care funds to ensure that they provide Trans inclusive health benefits.” Knight also sits on the executive board of his Local’s OUTreach chapter.

A main theme of the conference overall was centering voices that are all too often not heard or ignored in our community – Trans voices, voices of color, low-income voices, and the voices of women and non-binary people – and truly understanding the connections between race, gender, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status.

Walking away from the conference, Angeline Peterson from Reno, NV who is the secretary of the board for Our Center discussed the importance of lifting up people of color (POC) and said she is taking home, “the importance of highlighting and centering POC in my work.” She continued: “Trying to make my Center a more inclusive space for POC is a huge initiative for me, as we have traditionally had a hard time bringing POC in to feel safe. There is a lot of fracturing in the Reno LGBTQ+ community so all groups are kept pretty separated. It’s sad and frustrating.”

“A main theme of the conference overall was centering voices that are all too often not heard or ignored in our community – Trans voices, voices of color, low-income voices, and the voices of women and non-binary people”

I also attended a workshop related to intersectionality in the Queer community called Decentering Cis-ness: Supporting the T as LGB Activists, a workshop by TransFamily Support Services. There were a lot of educational pieces about Trans identities and the highlight for me was the history lesson about how colonizers created very binary gender roles to oppress indigenous people. Cultural practices like men wearing skirts/dresses or having their hair long and women being hunters were deemed by colonizers as going against “natural gender rules.”

The conference wasn’t all work and learning, however. On the second night, there was an “Opening Cruise,” a sex-positive networking event to meet new friends or even sexual partners. This writer felt the event itself was a little awkward and too structured of an event with preset questions. However, the conversations and connections that came out of the cruise were a highlight.

Some of the people I met included Ezra Terman, they are a San Francisco, CA resident, and volunteer administrator for an LGBT Community Center. Asher

Skeen who uses both he and they pronouns and is from Henderson, NC. They are a funder and capacity-building coach at the Queer Mobilization Fund and he is a singer-songwriter who recently released his second album called “Man-Made Man.”

Both were energized by their experiences at the conference.

a lot to say and shared that “the best part both years has been the people.” They added: “I have made friends, some just for the conference and some for years to come. I have made connections with funders, potential grantees, and partners. I have had conversations with people who share my experiences almost exactly, and people that have next to zero intersection with the story I have to share.”

Socializing wasn’t only at the Opening Cruise. There were other social events like a game room, an exhibition hall, and a Ball where attendees could compete. I also ran into a lot of people in and around the hotel. “I got a CLEAR REMINDER of why I do this work and though it can become tiresome ... as well why it’s so IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE!”

“The highlight for me of the conference this year was connecting with people from all over the country who have shared values and goals and learning about the incredible things being done in every corner of our country to advance the wellbeing of Queer folks,” shared Terman. Skeen had

Rio Antone told Options. Antone uses she, he, and they pronouns. They are from Las Vegas, NV, and she is an entertainer and cultural competencies trainer, and a board member of Gender Justice.

Marquis Mapp, who uses he and they pronouns, is from Richmond, VA and Co-Executive Director of Side by Side. They told

“There were a lot of educational pieces about Trans identities and the highlight for me was the history lesson about how colonizers created very binary gender roles to oppress indigenous people.”

Options: “We recently (within the past year) began a journey to commit to a shared leadership model with a focus on deconstructing white supremacist practices that tend to pervade organization settings. There were several other organizations and sessions that were insightful and inspiring and many of the strategies they used I was extremely excited to try here at home.”

Landing back in Rhode Island was both disheartening and relieving. Sad to have left all the energy and drive the people there, but happy to be back in the Ocean State. Options found multiple Rhode Islanders had went to Creating Change 2023. Ken Barber from Riverside, RI,

and former executive director of the RI Queer PAC said he took home this message: “We have to reach out beyond our little state and see what is working in other states, cities, and even countries. These are the working models for change and we need to harness that and bring it home.” The conference gave this writer a closer connection to our community. It created a newfound spark to continue to support Queer people in the Ocean State and make sure we have a voice at the table and push leaders to make bold moves to protect us.

Jay Watts told Options: “The attack we see spreading across the country on Trans rights is a well-funded and coordinated at-

tack. At this scope and depth, it is unprecedented. Unprecedented situations require unprecedented solutions. Watts is from Providence, RI, and he is the Trans health program director at Thundermist Health Center.

The board president of Tides for Reproductive Freedom and legislative a airs director with RI Queer PAC, Kimika Ross, summarized their experience: “I am bringing home a need to be an accomplice. To not sit around and show support but to be more active and direct in my support and relationship building. The conference was a big wake-up call that we – as a community – are not alright and there is more I can be doing to support my community.”

The 2019 Creating Change Conference, attendee Tristan Fitzpatrick poses with the then-Task Force o cial conference Drag Queen, Sasha MyKoc, who readers may recognize out of drag as none other than the editor of Options Magazine.

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

ADDICTION SUPPORT GROUPS

AA Brothers in Sobriety: Gay men’s open meeting — all welcome. Saturdays 6:30-7:30 pm. 50 Orchard Ave, Providence, RI. 1-401-419-0051. https://aainri.com/meetings/brothers-in-sobriety/.

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

Alcohol/Drug Helpline: RI Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence. Open 24 hours. 1-866-252-3784.

Project BREAK: Outpatient mental health program focused on substance abuse in gay/bi men. Free. Contact Sabrina Strong. 164 Summit Ave, Providence, RI. 401-300-4647. tmhhealthclinic@lifespan.org. https://www. breakri.org/.

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. 1-401-273-5678. 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/yptqyoung-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 Action Hotline: MA Only. Contact us via phone or through the website. 1-800-235-2331. https://www.aac.org.

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.

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.

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 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. 1-401467-9610. 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. 1-508678-1002. 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. 1-800-4458106. 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. 1-401793-4715. 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 Providence, RI. 1-401484-7523.info@plaidsproject.org..https://www.plaidsproject.org.

Planned Parenthood of Southern New England: Confidential, lowcost, 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 Helpline. 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.new-

portout.com

RILGBT-News: Low-volume email distribution list for LGBT & AIDS news from RI. Not a discussion list. Contact via email to subscribe. tinawood@ 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 12pm-1am, Friday-Saturday 12pm-2am..125 Washington St, Providence, RI. 1-401-2726950. 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, 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. 1-401-222-2661. RICHR.Info@richr.ri.gov. https://www.richr.ri.gov/.

RELIGIOUS & SPIRITUAL

All Saints Memorial Church: 674 Westminster St, Providence, RI. 1-401751-1747. 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. 401 273-5678. 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. 1-401-331-9844. 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. 1-401-3311960. 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.org. https:// www.channingchurch.org/.

Chapel Street Congregational Church UCC: Open & affirming. Temporarily remote due to COVID. 185 Chapel St, Lincoln, RI. 1-401-722-

7934. 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. 1-401732-1552. 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. 1-401-6581506. 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. 1-508473-0745. 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. 1-508-2222898. 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. 1-401-846-0643. 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. 1-401-789-7776.

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/.

Mercy of God Community: Christian, inclusive religious order. mercycomm@yahoo.com. https://www.mgc.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. 1-401-6809076. 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. 1-508336-9355. 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/stmartinsprovidence. 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. 1-508-222-2243. 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. 1-401-9428350. 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. 1-401-783-4170. 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. 1-508-9927081. 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. 1-401-942-0662. Woodridgechurch@verizon.net. https://woodridgechurchri.org/.

SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS

Bisexual Resource Center: PO Box 170796, Boston, MA. 1-617-4249595. brc@biresource.net. https://www.biresource.net/.

Biversity Boston: Mixed-gender social events for Boston and the surrounding area. PO Box 1026, Boston, MA. biversity-subscribe@biversity. org. https://www.biversity.org/.

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/.

Cape & Islands Gay & Straight Youth Alliance (CIGSYA): 56

Barnstable Rd, Hyannis, MA. 1-508-778-7744. info@cigsya.org. https://www. cigsya.com/.

Feminist & Queer Happy Hour: Casual meetings to network with people who care about the same things. feministandqueerhappyhour@gmail. com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/feministandqueerhappyhour/. Good Company (RIAGP): Networking and philanthropy. 1-888-8919030. 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 Pride Lions Club: LGBT-inspired service-oriented club open to all. 3rd Mondays, 6-7:30 pm at Mentor RI. 2065 Warwick Ave, Warwick, RI. ripridelions@yahoo.com. https://www.facebook.com/RIPrideLions/.

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 Skeptics Society: Yearning to talk with someone rational? Refreshing discussion. Fourth Saturday. East Providence restaurant location. 911 Warren Ave, East Providence, RI. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Rhode-Island-Skeptics-Society/100064675000528/?paipv=0&eav=AfYXwpNOsGXee6b0rvtMUpsXHkF-BQkQ4_Qt12k-dICbJFtwm4y16BNKnvZ1y6exPgA&_rdr.

RI Women’s Association: Lesbian social group. 21+. Dances & events. PO Box 3586, Cranston, RI. webmaster@RIWA.net. https://www.riwa. net/.

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/.

Big Gay Al’s Duckpin Bowling League: Proceeds benefit AIDS causes. Tuesday 6:30 pm. Contact Frank Ferri. 1463 Atwood Ave, Johnston, RI. 1-401-831-6940. info@thlsocial.com. https://www.thlsocial.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://www. glrf.org/.

Boston Gay Basketball League: PO Box 170160, Boston, MA. 1-757266-7534. 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/.

Chiltern Mountain Club: Outdoor recreation club in New England. 1-617-306-3840. chiltern@chiltern.org. https://www.chiltern.org/.

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/.

Movement Mondays: One hour class open to people in recovery and their guests. Size-inclusive, all body types and fitness levels. LaurenT@thundermisthealth.org. https://www.facebook.com/thundermisthc.

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. 1-401-400-1094. 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.

CCRI Triangle Alliance: An LGBTQ student-run group at CCRI on the Flanagan, Liston, and Knight campuses. rarosha@ccri.edu. https://www.ccri.edu/ triangle.

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

Peer Listening Line: Youth-staffed hotline for GLBT youth. Support, info, and referrals. Monday-Saturday 6-11 pm. 1-617-267-9001. jwisch@fenwayhealth.org. https://fenwayhealth.org/care/wellness-resources/helplines.

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 LGBTQ+ Office: Works towards inclusion of gender, gender identity/expression, and sexual orientation in all appropriate aspects of campus life. RIC Unity Center, 600 Mt Pleasant Ave, Providence, RI. 1-401-456-9033. clee@ric.edu. https://www.ric.edu/lgbtq.

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-ofstudents.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. 1-866488-7836. 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. 1-401874-2894. 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. 1-617-742-4911. 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. 1 800 494-8100. 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 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/.

LGBTQ+ Pregnancy & Parenting Group: Free support group for people (partnered or not) parenting or considering it. First Saturdays. 410 N Broadway, East Providence, RI. 1-401-338-5466. lgbtqpregnancyparentingri@gmail.com. https://opencircleri.com/services/support-groups.

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.

Partner Support Group at Fenway Health: A ten-week support group with the purpose of building community and connections for anyone who identifies as non-trans, ages 18+, and is in a relationship with a trans* person(s). Temporarily remote due to COVID. For more information, visit https:// fenwayhealth.org/care/behavioral-health/support-groups (listed under drop-in groups). 1340 Boylston St, Boston, MA. 1-857-347-4969. sborger@fenwayhealth.org. https://fenwayhealth.org/care/behavioral-health/ support-groups (listed under drop-in groups).

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. 401-307-1802. 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. 1-800323-4673. development@new-hope.org. https://www.new-hope.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/.

Straight Spouses: Groups and online support. 1-801-215-9727. straightspouses@gmail.com. https://straightspouses.wordpress.com/.

TGI Network of RI: Support, advocacy for transgender, transsexual, gender-variant and/or intersex people. Borderlands peer group 1st & 3d Tues. and 1st & 3d Sat. of the month. PO Box 4036, Providence, RI. 1-401-4415058. 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. 1-401-8465263. 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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At Skills for Rhode Island's Future, we are committed to promoting an environment that values diversity, inclusivity, and belonging - core values that shape our community and empower our workforce.

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