Options Magazine - August 2018

options August 2018

MEDICAL SAFE ZONES

RI International Film Fest PrideFest Photo Recap www.optionsri.org Rhode Island’s LGBTQ Community Magazine Since 1982

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IN THIS ISSUE: 16 14 18

20 22

5 From the Editor 6 From the Board President 6 Advertisers 8 Calendar 10 News Briefs 12 Letter to the Editor 14 RI International Film Fest 16 BCBSRI Medical Safe Zones 18 Discrimination on the Field 20 Out on the Town 22 The First Newport PrideFest 24 ACOS: Safer Sex Techniques 25 TGI Network 26 New England Pride TV 27 RI PrideFest Recap 28 Resources 35 Felicitations 35 Transosaurus Rex

Home deliver y is free! Subscribe at www.optionsri.org, email subscriptions@optionsri.org, or write to us at our PO Box. Š OPTIONS 2018. Options is published monthly except in January and July. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the volunteers or staff. Listings are provided as a resource and do not imply endorsement. Submissions to Options must include a phone number or email address. Names may be withheld on request. Submissions, ads, calendar, or resource listings for the September 2018 issue must be delivered by August 13.

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HR-264723

From the Editor-in-Chief

options

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

Dear Reader,

August 2018, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3

In this issue we celebrate incremental victories, some small and some large, reminding us that even when threats like a more conservative US Supreme Court loom large (p. 11), our small vigilant community has the momentum and stamina to push onward — not letting us fall too far backward, and keeping the arc of the moral universe bending toward justice.

Local organization LGBTQ Action RI has proved to be an indomitable force, having led the charge to pass two key pieces of statewide legislation this past session. One law ensures that trans people are not misgendered in death, and the other bars juries from considering a “gay/trans panic defense” when sentencing violent offenders. (p. 10) You may recall LGBTQ Action RI also successfully organized to ban conversion therapy in the 2017 legislative session. For those of you who thought marriage equality was the be all and end all of LGBTQ civil rights, think again!

We are always pleased to have new writers contributing to Options, and cover boy Guillaume Bagal of Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI conveys the importance and rise of medical Safe Zones, where LGBTQ people can rest assured they’ll be treated with respect by people familiar with their unique healthcare needs. (p. 16) Kwana Adams demonstrates the rising popularity of films with diverse LGBTQ characters being featured in this year’s RI International Film Fest (p. 14), and she’ll be back with her second Options piece next month to review more intriguing LGBTQ entertainment.

This past June’s RI PrideFest continued the yearly trend of being attended by more people than ever (p. 27, photos p. 20), and was even named one of the Top Seven Prides in the World by National Geographic Magazine. And with minimal time to organize, Newport celebrated their first-ever PrideFest with much success. (p. 22) While we celebrate these victories, we’ve also featured stories of all too common abusive treatment of LGBTQ people that await resolutions. Local trans athlete Emily Clark files a complaint after enduring harassment and discrimination while she’s simply trying to enjoy playing a game of softball. (p. 18) There’s been a rash of brutal murders of transgender women in Florida, with victims being misgendered by authorities while their killers remain at large. (p. 11) And the eight-year struggle of former URI Assistant to the VP of student affairs for GLBT Programs and Services Andrew Winters continues as he seeks justice regarding his mistreatment by senior higher ed administrators that ended his career. We’re grateful that Andrew has written in to update Options readers, and encourage you to share your stories and opinions with us at editor@optionsri.org.

In solidarity,

Jen Stevens

Editor-in-Chief Jen Stevens jen@optionsri.org Resources Editor Myra Shays resources@optionsri.org Calendar Editor Kim Stowell Calendar@optionsri.org Copy Editors Greg Howard, Rex LeBeau, Christine Pavao, Maria Phillips, Myra Shays Graphic Design Theresa “Reese” Barzyk www.tibcreativestudio.com Contributors Felicia Nimue Ackerman, Kwana Adams, Guillaume Bagal, Chris Cedroni, Ethan Huckel, Joe Lazzerini, Rex LeBeau, Dale LePage, TC Rogers, Kim Stowell, Jen Stevens Photographers Jen Bonin, Jack-Hartwein Sanchez Advertising Manager Kim Stowell advertising@optionsri.org

Contact Us info@optionsri.org PO Box 6406 Providence, RI 02940 (401) 724-LGBT www.optionsri.org Cover: Guillaume Bagal

by Scott Henrichsen

We want to hear from you. Send letters to editor@optionsri.org.

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BOARD Executive Committee Dr. TC Rogers,

Board President

Brendan Chipley Roane,

Board Vice President

Dr. Dawn Letourneau,

Recording Secretary

Dr. Mike Marrapodi, Treasurer Directors Melissa Da Silva, LICSW Ashley Delgado Daniel Kellum, Esq. Nathan McNamara Dr. Eileen Medeiros Arthur Snow

FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT Dear Readers, I hope that you are enjoying the fabulous weather in Southern New England! This summer we’ve been diligently working to help Options become more sustainable. Here are some details of what we have been doing since you last saw us at Pride in June. We are grateful to have been hosted on New England Pride TV, and we’ve been organizing all of the details for our annual Gay 5K on September 23. We hired an advertising manager, researched best printing and distribution practices, and met with LGBTQ leaders in our community to learn how we can partner and support one another’s organizations.

Here’s what we need from our community. As happens in life, change occurs and board members serve and then move on to other responsibilities. Currently we need to fill three board seats. The board meets once a month and members take on various tasks to help run Options. Board meetings are extremely productive and they are also fun.

We’re also seeking committee members to help the board with these various tasks. We also need volunteers to help on September 23 at the Gay 5K. To those who contacted us and offered your help since our last ask, thank you!

We’re so happy to announce the hiring of Kim Stowell as Advertising Manager. As was true when Jen Stevens applied to be Editor-in-chief, Kim’s offer to get involved again with Options is a testament to the need, importance, and quality of the magazine and Options as an organization. We are honored to have Kim back on our team. Please join me in welcoming her in this new role.

Additionally, I cannot highlight enough how imperative it is that we stand strong as a community during the election season and at the election booths. We must educate ourselves about which candidates have a history of supporting our community, who in our community is running, and what we can do to help the candidates who want to secure our rights. We are an invaluable part of our cities, towns, states, and nation at large, so let’s use our talents, skills, and voices to make this election season turn in our favor.

Cheers, Dr. TC Rogers Board President

ADVERTISER

LIST Show that your organization or business supports the local LGBTQ+ community!

Contact advertise@optionsri.org today.

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Options | August 2018

2....................................... AIDS Project RI 4....................................... Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI 7....................................... Community Flea Market & Drag Sale 25..................................... East Coast Mental Wellness 13..................................... Friends of Toto, Dog Care 11..................................... Gifford & Perkins, Attorneys-at-Law 23..................................... JDHS Photos 11..................................... Mott & Chace Realtors 7....................................... Neighborhood Health Plan 13 .................................... Niko Stamatakos, Massage Therapist 13 .................................... Plumbing by Paul 19 .................................... Providence G 23 .................................... The Stable 13 .................................... Thundermist Health

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CALENDAR: August

AUGUST 2 & 4 50 Shades of Gay

AUGUST 4 Womxn’s Night

MONDAYS Free Play Arcade GAYME night

AUGUST 19 Sangria Sunday

AUGUST 19 Newport Drag Brunch 8

Thu. 2 (10pm) & Sat. 4 (8:30pm) 50 Shades of Gay. WaterFire Ar ts Center, 475 Valley Street, Providence. Adult variety show packed with comedy, music, drag, audience par ticipation, giveaways, and more. Written, produced, and starring comedian Ike Avelli.

Special guests recording ar tist Tym Moss and NYC drag performer Viki Villainess. Par t of 5th Annual PVD Fringe Festival running August 1-4. For more info, fringepvd.org.

Sat. 4 Womxn’s Night, 7:30pm.

Irish Rose, 50 Exchange Terrace, Providence. A cabaret and club night for womxn featuring queer performance (drag kings, jazz, and burlesque) hosted by LuLu Locks. Photo booth, drink specials, food menu, LGBTQIA pop-up shop. Par tners, friends, and allies welcome! 21+.

Cabaret 7:30-8:30pm followed

by DJ Ephraim Adamz. $25 includes cabaret, $10 beginning at 8:30pm. Tickets: Eventbrite. com.

Sun. 5 Options Magazine Release Par ty, 3-5pm. The Stable, 125 Washington Street, Providence. Volunteers needed for distribution.

Mon. 6, 13, 20 & 27 Free Play Arcade GAYME night, 7pm-1am.

Colosseum, 180 Pine Street, Providence. Over 115 vintage arcade games, pinball, skee ball, and drag show. All games set to free play. 18+. $4 cover to

Options | August 2018

benefit RI Pride. For more info, freeplayri.com.

Tue, 7 -- Sun 12 RI International Film Festival: LGBTQ Sidebar.

For full schedule and info, riiff. org.

Thu. 9 Sweet LittleVariety Show, 8pm. Mirabar, 15 Elbow Street, Providence. A queer-produced potpourri of enter tainment performed monthly on second Thursdays. Featuring the music of Tammy & Jeana. $7 to pay the ar tists. For info, facebook. com/sweetlittlevarietyshow and sweetlittlevarietyshow.com.

Sun. 12 RI Prime Timers, 4:30-7pm. Social, dinner, and networking group for older gay and bi men on second Sundays. For more info, www. riprimetimers.org or call Steve at 996-3010.

Wed. 15 Queer Book Club, 7-9:30pm. Third Wednesdays at Books on the Square, 471 Angell Street, Providence. Reading: Mahu: A Hawaiian Mystery by Neil S. Plakcy. Discount on books purchased at Books on the Square. For more info, email queerbookclub@gmail.com.

Fri. 17 SAGE LGBT Café, noon-2pm. Church of the Transfiguration, 1665 Broad Street, Cranston. A delicious, low-cost lunch in a gayfriendly setting on third Fridays sponsored by Meals on Wheels, the Depar tment of Elderly Affairs, and SAGE-RI. $3 donation suggested for LGBT people 60+

and people with disabilities; $6 donation suggested for all others. Reservations required.

Call Pauline at 351-6700.

Sun. 19 Newport Drag Brunch hosted by the Trailer Park Girls, New England’s premier drag theatre troupe, seatings at 11:30am and 1:15pm.

Parlor Bar & Restaurant, 200 Broadway, Newport. Once you purchase tickets you must call to make a table reservation for either time. Includes allyou-can-eat breakfast buffet and complimentary mimosa or bloody mary. See Newpor tOUT. com or Facebook.com/ NewportOut for more details.

Sun. 19 Sangria Sunday with guest bartender Viza D. Klein, 128pm. The Stable Providence, 125 Washington Street, Providence.

Sat. 25 Imperial Cour t of RI performers relive the first songs they ever performed, doors 7pm/show 8pm. Dark Lady, 19 Snow Street, Providence. $10 suggested donation to benefit the Imperial Cour t of RI and the Center for Sexual Pleasure & Health. Hosted by Baroness Naomi Chomsky and Miss Gay RI 2018 and Princess of the Imperial Cour t Yolandi Fizzure.

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT TO calendar@optionsri.org

September Sun. 2 Options Magazine Release Par ty, 3-5pm. The Stable, 125 Washington Street, Providence. Volunteers needed for distribution.

Mon. 3, 10, 17 & 24 Free Play Arcade GAYME night, 7pm-1am.

Colosseum, 180 Pine Street, Providence. Over 115 vintage arcade games, pinball, skee ball, and drag show. All games set to free play. 18+. $4 cover to benefit RI Pride. For more info, freeplayri.com.

Sun. 9 Herbs for Transgender Health & Support, 10am12:30pm. Farmacy Herbs, 28 Cemetery Street, Providence. Dr. M. Fiebelman will cover common imbalances among those in the transgender community and how to support transgender clients and community members with herbs and nutrition.

Sun. 9 RI Prime Timers, 4:30-7pm. Social, dinner, and networking group for older gay and bi men on second Sundays. For more info, www. riprimetimers.org or call Steve at 996-3010.

Wed. 12 State of RI Primary Election, 7am-8pm. To find your polling location or more info, elections.state.ri.us/elections.

Thu. 13 Sweet Little Variety Show, 8pm. Mirabar, 15 Elbow Street, Providence.

A queer-produced potpourri

of enter tainment performed monthly on second Thursdays. $7 to pay the artists.

For info, facebook.com/ sweetlittlevarietyshow and sweetlittlevarietyshow.com.

Sat. 15 Womxn’s Night, 7:30pm. Irish Rose, 50 Exchange Terrace, Providence. A cabaret and club night for womxn featuring queer performance (drag kings, jazz, and burlesque) hosted by LuLu Locks. Photo booth, drink specials, food menu, LGBTQIA pop-up shop.

Par tners, friends, and allies welcome! 21+. Cabaret 7:308:30pm followed by DJ Ephraim Adamz. $25 includes cabaret, $10 beginning at 8:30pm.Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

Sun. 16 Brainstorming session for next year’s Newport Pride Weekend, 5:30pm. Parish Hall of Channing Memorial Church, 135 Pelham Street, Newport.

Free pizza. For more info, email interweave@channingchurch.org.

and prizes awarded monthly.

18+. No alcohol. Theme dress suggested. All funds raised benefit AIDS Care Ocean State and AIDS Project RI. For reservations, email bingo@ aidscareoceanstate.org with name, number of people, and phone number.

Fri. 21 SAGE LGBT Café, noon-2pm. Church of the Transfiguration, 1665 Broad Street, Cranston. A delicious, low-cost lunch in a gayfriendly setting on third Fridays sponsored by Meals on Wheels, the Depar tment of Elderly Affairs, and SAGE-RI. $3 donation suggested for LGBT people 60+ and people with disabilities; $6 donation suggested for all others. Reservations required.

Call Pauline at 351-6700

Thu. 20 Drag Bingo, 6-9pm.

Riviera Bingo Palace, 1612 Elmwood Avenue, Cranston.

Hosted by Haley Star and LaDiva Jonz. $20 gets you in all games with over $2,000 in cash

SEPTEMBER 12 RI Primary Election

SEPTEMBER 13 Sweet Little Variety Show

Regularly Scheduled Support Groups: ACOS (HIV/AIDS): youth, Tue. 4pm/gay males, Wed. 1:30pm LGBT Alcoholics Anonymous:

Wed. 19 Queer Book Club, 7-9:30pm. Third Wednesdays at Books on the Square, 471 Angell Street, Providence. Reading: Whipping Girl by Julia Serano.

Discount on books purchased at Books on the Square. For more info, email queerbookclub@ gmail.com.

SEPTEMBER 9 Herbs for Transgender Health

Tue. 7pm PFLAG (parents, friends, allies):

SEPTEMBER 19 Queer Book Club

1st & 3rd Wed. 6:45pm TGI Network (trans,par tner, and non-binary groups): 1st & 3rd Tue. 7pm/Sat. 1pm

TransFamily New England: 2nd Mon. 6:30pm YPI (youth): Way Out, Thu. 4pm/Gender Spectrum, Tue. 4pm/youth 13 and under : Thu. 5pm See Resources on page 28 for complete information

SEPTEMBER 20 Drag Bingo

SEPTEMBER 21 SAGE LGBT Café

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NEWS BRIEFS: House Appropriations Committee Passes Amendment Discriminating Against LGBTQ Families

On July 11, the US House Appropriations Committee passed an amendment introduced by Representative Robert Aderholt (R-AL) that would allow taxpayer-funded adoption and foster care agencies to refuse services to LGBTQ couples (and other qualified prospective parents to whom an agency objects) based on “sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions.” Openly gay congressman Mark Pocan (D-WI) tweeted in response: "Samesex couples are six times more likely to foster and four times more likely to adopt.

Denying kids loving parents is wrong."

According to CNN, negative consequences await LGBTQ-friendly states because if the amendment is implemented the Department of Health and Human Services would “withhold 15% of the federal funds for child welfare services from states and localities [that] don't meet the same standards for protecting religious adoption groups.”

state to pass legislation banning the defense in court (behind California and Illinois).

Representative Kenneth Marshall and Senator Donna Nesselbush were the lead sponsors of the bill that was signed into law on July 2.

Senator Nesselbush said, “To say that a person provoked violent crime against himself or herself solely by being who they are is to create an unacceptable excuse for someone who carries out a hate crime.The perpetrator is not a victim, and the victim is not to blame for violence carried out against himself or herself because of their LGBTQ status. I’m glad that this revolting defense has never been attempted in Rhode Island, and even happier that now, it never will.”

Lawmakers in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington State are seeking similar bans.

Nationally, Representative Joseph Kennedy III (D-MA) and Sen. Edward Markey (DMA) have introduced legislation to ban the defense in federal court. Representative David Cicilline (D-RI) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have also sponsored that legislation.

Advocates Applaud Passage of RI Respect in Death Legislation

Momentum Builds Following RI’s Ban on Gay/ Trans Panic Defense

LGBTQ advocates were stunned in May when a Texas jury issued an unusually light murder sentence after the killer invoked the “gay panic defense,” claiming that his violent reaction was due to unwanted advances. Rhode Island lawmakers promptly took action, becoming the third

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Options | August 2018

On Thursday, June 28, Governor Raimondo signed the so called “Respect in Death Bill” making RI the third state in the nation to add protections for transgender people to ensure that death certificates accurately reflect their gender identity. California and Illinois had passed similar laws and New Jersey’s Governor signed their version of the law on July 3.

In a statement from statewide advocacy group LGBTQ Action RI, spokesperson Wendy Becker said, “This represents a critical victory for transgender and gendernonconforming people in Rhode Island.

No one should have to live with the fear that their identity will be erased in death,

whether by an unsupportive relative, or by someone involved in the funerary process who simply lacked appropriate guidance.”

The bill was sponsored by longtime LGBTQ rights allies Representative Edie Ajello and Senator Josh Miller.

Local Teacher Selected to Explore Ocean Aboard Nautilus

Longtime LGBTQ advocate and Scituate High School science teacher Shannon Donovan was selected along with 21 educators and 18 students as a Science Communication Fellow to sail aboard Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus during its July 21 - August 4 expedition to explore the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

According to a statement from Ocean Exploration Trust, “Fellows are charged with the responsibility of engaging students and the public in the wonders of ocean exploration, sharing discoveries from the mission, as well as aspects of daily life aboard a working exploration vessel. Fellows receive four days of intensive training at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, and then spend two to three weeks aboard E/V Nautilus…. Fellows bring the expedition and excitement of ocean exploration back to their home communities […] by incorporating their experience into classroom lesson plans, community presentation events, and through informal educational opportunities.”

Donovan said, “I am excited to share my experience with my students as well as members of the community. If anyone would like to host an event where I can share this experience, I encourage them to reach out to me.” Donovan was RI’s 2011 Teacher of the Year and can be reached at sciencepup@hotmail.com.

Fourth Transwoman of Color Murdered in Florida This Year

On July 19, Sasha Garden was brutally murdered in Orlando, making her the fourth transwoman of color murdered in Florida this year. Celine Walker, Antash’a English, and Cathalina Christina James were previously gunned down in Jacksonville, striking fear in that community that a serial killer is targeting transwomen of color.

Furthering the pain experienced by loved ones and the community, law enforcement and media have in most cases misgendered the victims.

In response, Equality Florida Director of Transgender Equality Gina Duncan stated,“As we mourn for the victims of these horrific murders, and denounce the pervasive violence against our trans siblings, we adamantly call on the media and law enforcement to get this right. We, as a society, should be well past misgendering transgender people. There are national resources that address these issues. In 2018, the misgendering of a transgender victim is an overt act of bigotry and at best, an act of ignorance and neglect. Proper policy, protocol, and practice in ways to engage the transgender community are readily available.To do otherwise makes law enforcement and the media complicit in the marginalization of our transgender community.”

AT T O R N EYS - AT- L AW Cynthia M. Gifford

Cherrie R. Perkins

Supreme Court Implications for LGBTQ Community

The announced retirement of US Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy on June 27 worried advocates who have counted on Kennedy’s vote to uphold the constitutional rights and equality of LGBTQ people for decades in cases such as Obergefell v. Hodges, which confirmed equal marriage rights for same-sex couples nationally.

Even though, on June 4, Kennedy delivered the majority opinion ruling that a Colorado cake shop owner’s religious beliefs allowed him to refuse to design a wedding cake for a same-sex couple, Kennedy seemed to protect his legacy by saying "Gay couples cannot be treated as social outcasts," and explaining that the court, while also accounting for religious freedom, found that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, revealed "a clear and impermissible hostility toward the sincere religious beliefs” of the cake owner.

President Trump has nominated Brett Kavanaugh to replace Kennedy. In response, HRC issued a statement saying, “The prospect of a Justice Kavanaugh threatens to erode our nation’s civil rights laws, block transgender troops from bravely serving this nation, and allow a license to discriminate against LGBTQ people in every aspect of American life.”

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR We want to hear from you. Send letters to editor@optionsri.org.

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Options | August 2018

O

n April 2, 2018, workplace bullying advocate/human rights activist Jessica Stensrud and I spoke directly to Governor Gina Raimondo during the South Kingstown Democratic Committee open meeting.

I told the governor about retaliatory actions that were taken against me by senior URI administrators and Rhode Island public higher education officials following my attempts to report a continually hostile campus environment at URI where harassment and targeting of LGBTQ people and others had gone unaddressed for years. I also mentioned that URI was named five times to the Princeton Review’s list of most LGBT unfriendly campuses. I described my coerced resignation from URI that ended my career in education, and the subsequent stress-related hospitalization and years of lost income that my husband, Don Smith, and I have endured.

(More background can be found at hummelreport.org/Stories/4.3.2014.uri. html and www.rifuture.org/andrewwinters-and-institutional-bullying-aturi#comm.)

Governor Raimondo replied that the administrative misconduct which I had explained was “not acceptable.”

She also agreed that embedded fear and reluctance to speak up occur when problems like these remain unaddressed.

Jessica and I asked the Governor to meet with us to find a way to correct the injustices, and to create effective strategies to address the broader issues of workplace bullying in Rhode Island.

Governor Raimondo said she would contact us to meet as we requested [and] asked us for our contact information which we provided. Additional support was voiced by the South Kingstown Democratic Committee chair who emphatically stated that Don and I have the full backing of the entire committee, and reiterated that the governor would convene the meeting we had requested.

Jessica, Don, and I repeatedly followed up with the governor’s staff to schedule the meeting we were promised. To date, neither Governor Raimondo nor her staff have responded.

Since 2010, Don and I have been undeterred in our efforts to have these matters addressed. Jessica has been speaking up just as long. We have learned from personal experience that lasting damage from PTSD and prolonged career disruption is often the result of unaddressed workplace bullying and retaliation, and the systemic corruption that enables such targeting. Fear has caused other targets and witnesses to remain silent about the harm that has been done to us and others. Shockingly, one current board of education member and statewide union president told me this: “Yeah, I looked into it, and I guess if you want to be Martin Luther King you have to be willing to shed a little blood.”

Our RI state senator told Don and me, “There’s a system in place designed to do these things; you’ll have to sign the agreement with URI and work with us behind the scenes to fix it.”

We need Governor Raimondo to fix these injustices. Timely intervention is needed to ensure that retaliation and bullying are not tolerated when people report or speak up about hateful acts or illegal misconduct. Rhode Island senior administrators, human resource officials, and presiding board members must be held accountable to keep our public workplaces free from retaliation, harassment, and discrimination. People who have been targeted must be included in problem solving to better inform corrective processes. Efforts to erase significant individual contributions and collective histories must be rejected and replaced by truthful accounts. Until these things are done, powerful people and the institutions that protect them will misuse their positions and misappropriate public resources to conduct and cover up these types of illegal, unethical, and inhumane acts.

Andrew Winters West Kingston, RI

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5/9/18 3:08 PM

LGBT Films Shine at Inte

The 22nd Annual Rhode Island International Film Festival is a much anticipated event (August 7-12) put on by Flickers, a nonprofit organization that supports and promotes the film arts in Rhode Island and the New England area. The Providence LGBT Film Festival Sidebar is in its 17th year and will feature over 40 diverse international and domestic films.

This exciting event will showcase great talent and hard work while representing many nuances of the LGBT community. Keep reading for some brief descriptions of some highlights within this year’s exciting LGBT Sidebar.

Approximately 40 LGBT films are showing at this year’s film fest, all with their own fascinating plot lines. While some of these films are an hour or longer, here are some short films that have so much packed in.

In just nine minutes, Candace, directed by Emma Weinstein, deals with race, sexuality, and dolphin suicide – a new term to me that has piqued my curiosity. I can’t wait to see Cat Days, an animated short film by writer/ director John Frickey, which focuses on the story of a young boy diagnosed with something harmless that makes him question his identity. I’m also

FEMME

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Options | August 2018

very interested to see the 18-minute Femme by Alden Peters. It’s the story of a man told he was too femme, prompting him to go on a journey to find out who he really is, and he meets a drag queen fairy godmother along the way! I can tell it’s going to be astounding.

One Leg In, One Leg Out

One Leg In, One Leg Out tells the story of a sex worker who dreams of becoming a social worker. The character, Iman, wants to achieve this dream to help the transgender community. This 15-minute short film looks to be a journey worth taking.

The Pornographer

female film crew that wants to shoot a soft porn in The Pornographer. It gets interesting when the director develops a crush on one of her actresses. Black Lips is a 15-minute short about a lonely Chinese immigrant who typically avoids people until a venture leads him to find a lonely gay man in a troubled relationship. They make their way back to the city, learning new and interesting things along the way.

Black Lips

#Hashtag

#Hashtag, directed by Atzin Ortiz Gonzalez, is the story of a young man whose virtual infatuation eventually clashes with his reality. I predict I’ll be on the edge of my seat for the whole 17 minutes of this film.

Gabrielle Demers tells the captivating 11-minute story of an all

One of the longer LGBT features creating a buzz is Shadowlands by Charlie David. Three love stories taking place in 1928, 1951, and 2018 are explored anthology-style. Funny Story directed by Michael Gallagher is an 85-minute tragicomedy in which a father decides to crash his estranged daughter’s vacation, teaching big lessons about forgiveness, narcissism, and the willingness to do karaoke if enough tequila is consumed.

Perhaps I’m most intrigued

ernational Film Fest

by Kwana Adams

The Most Dangerous Year

by The Most Dangerous Year, a documentary that centers on the effects of transgender-discriminatory laws, in particular how they affect the filmmaker’s daughter. Director Vlada Knowlton gives a platform to the rising issue of transgender rights by focusing on the fight for inclusive bathroom laws. My initial research into this documentary shed a lot of light on this particular struggle affecting the transgender community, making me consider the privilege I have: I don’t have to worry about being harrassed while using the bathroom. It also made me realize that I want to help. I can’t wait to watch the full documentary and become more informed on how these laws are affecting people, and to try to put myself into the shoes of people hurt by this.

Several of this year’s films explore the transgender perspective. Prisoner of Society is about feeling like a prisoner in your own home. This film focuses on a transgender woman feeling trapped between freedom and traditional expectations of her family. Rani is also about a transgender woman who doesn’t exactly fit in and sets out to take care of an abandoned baby.

It’s great to see stories about young LGBT people becoming more

Out of Breath

prevalent. Out of Breath is a film set in Iceland where a youth waits for a bus that never comes. He must confront his bullying father to make some changes in his life while under the watchful eye of a local boy named Jon. I’m rooting for Halldor, the main character, to come out of this with the happy ending he deserves. The Fall of Sparta, set in a high school, may appeal to LGBT teens, as the young protagonist takes control of his destiny after an incident with another student. This is a film about being brave and resilient and it would resonate well with so many people.

Many of the LGBT films focus on heartwarming family relationships. A Man My Son focuses on a father and son relationship where they embark on a journey together. October Boy is about a 4-year-old boy and his mother and is described as “a film about all of the things that change us as people.”

Poof features Aaron, an 18-year-old stuck working for his father in a job he hates; however, his life changes when he meets a cute boy at a party and they kiss. This film is about exploring one’s sexuality while trying to keep it a secret.

As is common in “straight” films, many stories are born of tragedy, loss, and difficult decisions. Will Paul decide to raise his friends’ child after they die

in a car crash in Teddy? Does Pawel resolve to open up his heart and love again after meeting a stranger in After Dawn? What does Andy find out about his ex-lover when he drives across the state to confront him in A Place To Stay?

Will Crista bounce back after her hotel is damaged, her marriage falls apart, and she faces the local resistance in Empire On Main Street? When a black man who’s also a burn survivor takes a date back to his apartment, is he able to face his demons and experience the intimacy he hasn’t felt for ten years in The Things You Think I’m Thinking?

And here are some recommended films for those who love a happy ending, without giving too much away.

Weather Talk is the story of a closeted son and his father who form a bond as they drive across the United States together. In Would You Look at Her, a tomboy is able to find an unlikely solution to her problems in an all male religious ritual.

Be sure to check out all of these films and more at the RI International Film Festival. More information can be found at RIIFF.org.

Kwana Adams is a 24-year-old Community College of RI student who likes cats and vintage sweaters.

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15

SAFE ZONES:

Step One Toward Creating a More Inclusive Healthcare Experience

It’s not unusual for an LGBTQ individual to spend a considerable amount of time searching for a healthcare provider with whom they feel safe and comfortable. As a new Rhode Island resident, I myself explored this exercise, visiting a few healthcare providers to find one with whom I felt most at ease. With my newly minted wedding band on my left hand, I received the same question a few times: “Did you move from Washington, D.C. with your wife?” A harmless question, of course, but it led me to have to explain that no, I actually moved here with my husband. Patients are often vulnerable when seeking medical care, and commonplace experiences like this only leave many feeling stressed about whether or not to come out to a complete stranger, or start off this important relationship on a lie by playing along. The reality is that many members of the LGBTQ community want to avoid similar situations altogether, and end up foregoing needed medical care.

At Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI), we believe that everyone has the right to safe and affirming healthcare, regardless of individual identity or relationship(s).

Since 2015, we have been partnering with healthcare providers across the state on our LGBTQ Safe Zone certification, which aims to provide high-quality and inclusive care to the LGBTQ community. With 15 (and counting) providers enrolled, members of the LGBTQ community now have

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additional options across dental, primary care and mental healthcare to get the attention and treatment they need, in a more comfortable and welcoming setting.

Certification requirements for becoming a Safe Zone include: staff training specific to the care of LGBTQ people; protection for patients and staff from discrimination based on gender identity or expression; gender neutral bathrooms; inclusive forms and procedures; and a public commitment to connecting with and serving the LGBTQ community.

Studies show us that the LGBTQ community has difficulty accessing quality care, even more so than the general public. In fact, LGBTQ people are more than likely to rate their health as poor compared to nonLGBTQ individuals. They also have more chronic conditions, as well as higher prevalence and earlier onset of disabilities. In addition to being the most affected by HIV/AIDS, the LGBTQ community reports more headaches, osteoarthrosis, asthma, allergies, and gastrointestinal problems than the general public.1 Beyond physical healthcare, the LGBTQ community (and the Rhode Island community at large) is in need of easier access to behavioral healthcare.

As a whole, Rhode Island is a state with a mounting mental health issue. While the national depression diagnosis rate averages 4.4 percent, Rhode Island comes in at 6.4 percent, according to a recent report from the Blue Cross

by Guillaume Bagal, Lead Diversity & Inclusion Consultant, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and Blue Shield Association. Research has found that LGBTQ adults are at elevated risk for some mental health and behavioral health conditions. For example, one study demonstrated that LGBTQ adults are 1.5 times more likely to experience depression and anxiety.2 These disparities disproportionately impact transgender people and bisexual men, especially those belonging to racial and ethnic minority groups.

LGBTQ older adults are also very vulnerable when it comes to physical and behavioral health concerns. Specifically, LGBTQ seniors are less likely than their non-LGBTQ counterparts to be financially ready to retire and also less likely to have longterm care insurance. The instances of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and asthma are more prevalent among this group compared to cisgender elders.

Additionally, this population tends to be at greater risk for isolation, increasing the chances of potential elder abuse and neglect. 3 It takes courage to live your truth, and LGBTQ seniors, an often overlooked population, should not be forced back in the closet to avoid being discriminated by people they depend on.

As an organization, we are proud of the progress we’ve made and the encouraging responses we continue to receive from the provider community.

But as we work to provide a more inclusive healthcare experience to a group that all too often experiences shame, stigma, and discrimination, we

believe there’s more work to be done. At BCBSRI it is our goal to grow the presence of Safe Zones to further increase access to high-quality care for the LGBTQ community.

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is the state’s leading health insurer and covers more than 450,000 members. The company is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit www.bcbsri. com, follow us on Twitter @BCBSRI, and like us on Facebook at fb.com/ bcbsri. To learn more about Safe Zones, visit bcbsri.com/safezones. _____________________ 1 Jennifer Kates et al., Health and Access to Care and Coverage for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Individuals in the U.S. (Menlo Park, CA: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, 2015), http://www.kff.org/disparities-policy/issue-brief/ healthand-access-to-care-and-coverage-for-lesbian-gaybisexual-andtransgender-individuals-in-the-u-s/ 2 Lourdes Ashley Hunter, Ashe McGovern, and Carla Sutherland, eds., Intersecting Injustice: Addressing LGBTQ Poverty and Economic Justice for All: A National Call to Action (New York: Social Justice Sexuality Project, Graduate Center, City University of New York, 2018).

3 Karen I. Fredriksen-Goldsen et al., The Aging and Health Report: Disparities and Resilience among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Older Adults (Seattle: Institute for Multigenerational Health, 2011), http://age-pride.org/wordpress/ wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Full-report10-25-12.pdf

BCBSRI has designated the following practices as LGBTQ Safe Zones: DENTAL

Thundermist Health Center Dental Services Thundermist Health Center Dental Services Thundermist Health Center Dental Services

South County (401) 783-5646 West Warwick (401) 615-2804 Woonsocket (401) 767-4161

MEDICAL

Planned Parenthood RI Women’s Health & Midwifery Thundermist Health Center Thundermist Health Center Thundermist Health Center West View Nursing and Rehab. Center

Providence (401) 421-9620 Smithfield (401) 349-3282 South County (401) 783-0523 West Warwick (401) 615-2800 Woonsocket (401) 767-4100 West Warwick (401) 828-9000

MENTAL HEALTH

Frank J. Canino, PhD Jayna Klatzker, LICSW Jessica Peipock, LICSW Laurie Thornton, MA, CAGS, LMHC Wilder Therapy & Wellness

Cranston (401) 461-5618 Providence (401) 297-2021 Cumberland (401) 632-3040 Providence (401) 632-4446 Warwick (401) 921-3600

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

Rhode Island Nutrition Therapy, LLC

East Greenwich (401) 398-2454

BCBSRI presents Thundermist with Safe Zone certification.

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17

DISCRIMINATION

ON THE

FIELD

by Chris Cedroni

Emily Clark

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Emily’s eyes light up when you ask her about softball.“It’s my life,” she will tell you. She loves the camaraderie, the sportsmanship, the physical activity, the overwhelming feeling of friendship. Her Facebook page is filled with photos of her on the field, with teammates celebrating or traveling to away games, documenting her friendships and accomplishments, and her life at its happiest.

Emily is a transgender woman. Her journey to become the person she was inside brought her through a full spectrum of emotions and experiences, and while she was on that journey, she was afraid she’d have to give up her passion. “I didn’t think I’d be able to play softball again,” she said. With the full-time process of readjusting to the world, she was sure that softball would have to be left by the wayside.That is, until a friend asked if she’d like to play for a women’s softball team.

“There were tears in my eyes when she asked me.”

Now Emily plays for the RI Chapter of the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), an association that oversees fastpitch and slowpitch softball across the country. Her love of the sport is transcendent, a familiar passion in a life of many changes. She, and the rest of Lady Magic, her team, train hard and practice hard.

In mid-June of this year, her love of the game was challenged. An opposing coach instructed his pitcher to walk

Emily every time she was up at bat. “It’s a decision that a coach could legitimately make,” she explains. “If a powerful hitter is up, you don’t want to give them a home run. But it kept happening and happening.”

Emily focused on the game, and didn’t let it bother her. But by the time she got home, it was obvious to her that this wasn’t a coaching decision, it was an act of transphobia.

“A friend of mine took some screen captures and sent them to me.The coach, Scott Sunderland, had posted some hateful comments on social media about me.” He used masculine pronouns to refer to Emily, made vulgar comments about her body, dismissed the idea of her being a woman, and stated that his decision was legitimate, falsely claiming that a trans woman would have genetic advantages, though there is no conclusive data that trans athletes are better than their cisgender opponents. Emily was hurt and surprised by his comments. To her, the softball field was a welcoming place, a place where she could excel at what she loved to do. Transphobia, prejudice, and hatefulness had no business there.Yet there they were, designed to hurt. Cyber bullying is only as new as the internet, yet it has become a powerful tool that can affect anyone. Especially someone like

Emily, who stands out because of her skills, but also because she is transgender.

But just as social media can be used to hurt, it can be used to heal. “I got positive feedback from everywhere,” she says. Friends, teammates, even strangers came forward to offer support, some from as far away as Australia. “Even some of the members of Sunderland’s team reached out to me and gave me support,” she says. “It really gave me the strength to push through this….

He must have gotten some pushback, because his comments were taken down a few hours later.” But what he said occupied her mind, along with the knowledge that she’d have to see him again.Teams in this association play about 150 games in a season, meaning that she’d be on the field with him again.

That’s exactly what happened on July 8, when the two teams faced each other again. Once again, the coach instructed his pitcher to walk Emily. “He wound up shooting himself in the foot,” she tells me. “In walking me, I was able to score later on.

When I slid into home base, he was within earshot. ‘That was for you,’ I told him.”

A statute in the organization’s bylaws says that no one participating in the sport is allowed to harass, intimidate, or persecute fellow players. Emily found USSSA leadership to be sympathetic to her case. She filed a formal complaint with the governing board and is expecting a ruling soon. If found guilty, the offending member will be banned from the association. So for now, Emily waits.

This incident didn’t bother Emily enough to change her mind about what softball means to her. Even being targeted on social media hasn’t shaken her. “I used it to my advantage,” she said. I made sure that I could raise awareness and expose him for his hateful comments. The experience has made me push through and get stronger. And with all the support I got, I feel better about softball than ever.”

100 Dorrance Street Downtown Providence www.providenceg.com

IT’S GREAT TO HAVE OPTIONS!

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19

OUT ON THE TOWN

80s Block Party with Tiffany Dark Lady, Providence, June 15, 2018 Photographs by Jen Bonin

RI Pride Fest & Illuminated Night Parade Providence, June 16, 2018 Photographs by Jen Bonin

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Options | August 2018

RI Pride Fest & Illuminated Night Parade Providence, June 16, 2018 Photographs by Jen Bonin

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Newport:

OUT Š PñOUã

Welcome to Newport. With the beaches, mansions, boats, tourists, trolleys, historic houses, and Dark and Stormies to sip on a patio overlooking the harbor, Newport has just about everything to offer. And now, for the first time ever, Newport has Pride.

It all started with a random thought that popped into the heads of Sean O’Connor and Dani Cano Restrepo, the owners of NewportOUT – a tourism organization to promote Newport as a fun and safe place for LGBTQ people to visit. The idea: Why not have a Pride bike ride in solidarity with Pride month – maybe even have a drag brunch too?

Collaboration with Newport’s community biking organization Bike Newport quickly put the (spoked) wheels in motion for a Pride Ride through Newport’s downtown streets. The Parlor, a restaurant on Broadway, enthusiastically agreed to be the brunch location and have the Trailer Park Girls be the entertainment. “It looked like we could have both events on the same weekend,” said Sean. “We decided this could be our Newport Pride Weekend.”

With those two events as the anchor for the weekend of June 23-24, other people came to Sean and husband Dani with their ideas for more Pride events. Shelley Dungan offered to lead a yoga session on the beach. Sightsailing sponsored a sailboat ride on the schooner Aquidneck. Salvation Café hosted a party Saturday night, and the local band Midnight Honey laid claim to the closing event of the weekend on Sunday night at the Parlor.

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What’s a Pride without a festival? The Equality Fest grew out of a collaboration with NewportOUT and Interweave at Channing Memorial Church. Small

by Providence standards, about ten organizations set up tables in Equality Park on Broadway, right next to the Drag Brunch going on at the same time inside the Parlor. The tables included Trinity Church, Interweave, the Imperial Court of RI, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State, The Potter League, AIDS Project RI, and several artist vendors. The festival had a cozy feel to it, attracting many passing families with children, dog walkers, and Newport residents.

All this came together only two months after Sean and Dani’s initial idea of a bike ride and drag brunch. “We did some crazy planning,” Sean recounted. “It was like another full-time job.” But why has it taken so long for Newport to celebrate Pride?

For the past decade, Newport hasn’t had a strong sense of queer community.

The last gay bar closed in the mid-2000s after extreme animosity from neighbors and no support from the city. Interweave, Channing Memorial Church’s group for LGBTQ people and allies in Newport, has regular educational and social events, including The Born This Way Prom, but it’s a small group with mostly allies. A few LGBTQ-themed evening events took place at the now-gone Christie’s and The Rhino Bar and Grill, but they never attracted a strong following and quickly ended. NewportOUT existed solely as a tourism website until the recent transfer of ownership to Sean and Dani.

by Rex LeBeau Photo by Jen Bonin If Newport Pride is any indication, building Newport’s LGBTQ community is going to happen under the facilitation of this upand-coming duo.

“We had so many people say ‘yes’,” said Sean, about planning Newport Pride Weekend. “The community came out in full support.”The City of Newport did too, with no problems from City Council in the approval of a Pride festival at Equality Park, a police escort during the Pride Ride through the busiest downtown areas, a police presence at the Equality Fest (just in case rumors of religious protesters turned out to be true), and even flying the rainbow flag at City Hall. With all the people who helped make the weekend events happen and attend them, Newport demonstrated it has the numbers and the desire to build LGBTQ community.

Newport Pride Weekend brought everyone together, a catalyst for more to come. The Parlor will now host a drag brunch every month and NewportOUT is sponsoring LGBTQ dance parties at The Tavern, another restaurant on Broadway, every Saturday night this summer. Though this was Newport’s first Pride, it won’t be the last. A brainstorming session for next year’s Newport Pride Weekend will take place on Sunday, September 16 at 5:30pm in the Parish Hall of Channing Memorial Church (135 Pelham Street, Newport).

All are welcome to attend. Have some free pizza and contribute ideas for making Newport even more out and proud.

JDHS PHOTOS Is your organization listed in Options’ Resources section?

If not, why not?

If yes, please review your listing for accuracy.

Send your current info to resources@optionsri.org.

A $25 donation to Options per year is suggested.

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JDHSPHOTOS.COM 401.624.6698 JDHSPHOTOS@VERIZON.NET

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23

AIDS Care Ocean State

by Chris Cedroni, Communications and Events Coordinator, AIDS Care Ocean State With summer in full swing, it’s natural that love (and sex) will be in the air, and it’s the perfect time to review some safer-sex techniques and strategies that can help prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you’re sexually active, take a moment to review the following list.

Abstinence: The most effective, most unrealistic, and least fun safe-sex technique – abstinence – offers the most total protection from sexually-transmitted HIV, pregnancy, and virtually all sexually transmitted infections.

Condoms: When properly used, condoms offer excellent protection from HIV and pregnancy as well as many other (but not all) STIs. Both male and female – or external and internal – latex condoms offer protection by stopping the exchange of bodily fluids.

Condoms come in a variety of sizes, colors and flavors. Our prevention center has plenty of safe sex kits that include condoms and lube that can help you stay safe while having a good time. If you are near our Broadmed facility (557 Broad Street, Providence) stop by and pick one up. While there, consider getting tested for HIV, hepatitis C, and syphilis.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): PrEP refers to a pill that protects you from getting HIV. Truvada is the brand name

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Options | August 2018

for the medication used as PrEP, which is estimated to prevent HIV transmission rates by up to 92 percent when used properly. ACOS is working with the Miriam Hospital’s Infectious Disease Center to make PrEP available for people who qualify. Call the ACOS Prevention center at 401-781-0665 for more information on PrEP and to find out if it is right for you.

Knowing your status: Any general will tell you that war favors the well-informed. Knowing your (and your partner’s) status by getting tested frequently pays off in lots of ways. If your test comes back positive, you’ll be able to get treatment and support right away, which will typically lessen the negative effects of HIV. If your test comes back negative, you’ll know that your safer sex strategies are paying off—just keep in mind that HIV can take several months to appear on a test.

Communication: Having a serious conversation on safe sex with your partner before you engage in a sex act

is one of the best ways to know what you’re getting into. Asking a person’s status (and being willing to disclose your own), discussing what safe sex actually means to you and your partner, and discussing any concerns you have about STIs can help you make informed decisions and help keep you healthy.

ACOS offers testing at several locations throughout Rhode Island where trained, supportive staff can help you understand your results.Visit aidscareos.org/GetTested to find out more. Whether your test comes back positive or not, ACOS can connect you with medical, psychological and social services right away to help you stay healthy.

AIDS Care Ocean State provides comprehensive AIDS service, supportive housing, emergency funds, and a Speakers Bureau. Located at 18 Parkis Avenue, Providence. (401) 521-3603. Appointments: (401) 781-0665. www.aidscareos.org.

hypothetical and circumstantial. At other times, it is written into the way of life or legal system of the country in question.

Either way, this creates a barrier for transgender travelers.

I sit here in the Italian countryside without easy answers to this problem, just complex ones that focus on protections at home and more access to appropriate and safe documents for transgender people. I urge allies to be thoughtful about why you have access where someone else does not. I urge you to be attentive to the possible changes at the State Depar tment and beyond that could make gender marker updates more difficult or impossible to obtain. I urge you to look for the ways you can use your voice and privileges to smooth the way for your trans neighbors.

by Ethan Huckel

Sitting down to write this update, I am more than two weeks into a trip around Northern Italy. I have spent time in Rome, Florence, Venice, and Bolzano and am on my way to Verona and finally Milan. Without question this has been the trip of a lifetime. And it wouldn’t have happened if I weren’t as privileged as I am. Today, reflecting on my monthly message to community members and allies, I am struck by how many of my transgender friends are not able to make a trip such as this.

Clearly one barrier is financial. Financial burdens are cer tainly not exclusive to the transgender community but a number of factors contribute to my peers having lower rates of employment, less financial security, and less savings (if any at all). The barrier to international travel extends beyond the financial ability to book flights or hotels.

I am a transgender man, but no one in Italy knows that. Not the customs agents, nor the apar tment owners who have examined my documents at each spot. Not grocery clerks, nor baristas preparing my espresso. This is a conservative country, steeped in religious traditions and beliefs, but no one gives me a second glance. This is a great privilege I enjoy, as I access transportation, bathrooms, and restaurants without hesitation.

I encourage allies to take a look at your travel documents to see what they say about you. Until recently, my passpor t outed me because it still carried an “F” gender marker. For many people, having a passpor t that reflects their accurate identity is impossible. Sometimes the danger this poses is

There is much more to say about this issue and this is, without question, woefully incomplete. We need to talk about the lack of access for nonbinary people, the lack of safety abroad and at home for transgender women of color, how lifelong financial disadvantage compounds and impacts matters that go far beyond the frivolity of leisure travel, and so much more.

TGI Network of Rhode Island is the only statewide organization providing support, advocacy and education for the transgender, gender-variant, and intersex community (aka trans* community). Incorporated in 2011, our mission is to be a resource for TGI people navigating their lives and the medical and legal systems; to serve as a resource for professionals working with TGI people; and to serve as a liaison between the TGI and LGB communities and the community at large. Visit us at www.tginetwork.org.

Now Available Individual and Couples Therapy Groups Hypnosis Evaluations School Based Services

Services in English and Spanish

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New England Pride TV Glides into Season 5

by Dale LePage

The idea of creating a television show focusing on the LGBTQ community and its allies in New England came to me very organically. I had been hosting a television show for about six years that I created called WooTube Entertainment Television that focused on music in New England on Charter/Spectrum. It dawned on me during an interview at a gay-owned business that we should find and explore more LGBTQ-owned and LGBTQ-friendly businesses. So I began to do research on the subject and quickly realized there were YouTube shows and town cable stations out there, but none with the scope I was hoping to reach. So I began the process of finding out if there was a need.

I visited high schools, colleges, and businesses, talking with their Gay/Straight Alliance or diversity group to find out what kind of segments they would be interested in seeing on the show. I also visited many organizations including Safe Homes, a program supporting LGBTQ youth, and was floored by the remarkable work they do. Learning that the suicide rate for LGBTQ teens is roughly double the average inspired me to go ahead with the show and for it to be a resource

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Options | August 2018

for LGBTQ youth. The show would spread information about fundraisers and benefits for charities, as well as offer entertainment.

When I announced to the media that I would be undertaking the creation of New England Pride TV, I received several pieces of hate mail and two death threats; however, the vast majority of people were incredibly excited and supportive.

The show is a completely volunteer effort; no one – including me – gets paid. Sponsorships go toward paying for studio space, editing, and publicity. Some segments give information on support groups, authors, health, music events, restaurants, fundraising, and upcoming events in and around New England. Also each show contains popular segments such as Listen To the Lady featuring advice from drag superstar Lady Sabrina, Rod’s ProperGander with Boston comedian Roderick Ferguson, and a segment called Pride Pets focusing on animal shelters and rescues in New England. We’re proud to have received Congressional recognition for work with the New England LGBTQ community.

I hope you’ll join us this August as

we launch our 5th season! New England Pride TV is easily accessed through many media outlets: local cable stations, YouTube, Facebook, the web, and available on demand. For more information, visit dalelepage.com or find NEPrideTV on Facebook..

by Joe Lazzerini, President RI Pride Photograph by Jen Bonin

The 43rd Annual PrideFest & Illuminated Night Parade held June 16 was a beautiful display of love, diversity, and inclusion. It's estimated over 85,000 people attended this year's PrideFest and Parade. Rhode Island Pride was especially honored and energized to have been listed by National Geographic as one of the Seven Best Prides in the World and for that, we really did get Louder and Prouder, which was this year's PrideFest theme.

The 2018 theme captures the feelings of LGBTQ+ people from Rhode Island to California and across the world. It’s a call to action: to stand up and fight for equal rights for all LGBTQ+ people no matter who they love, the color of their skin, or their gender identity. We will be loud by protesting in the streets and taking action when we are being silenced.

PrideFest featured over 200 vendors including local advocacy organizations, elected officials, and food vendors lining South Water Street from Memorial Boulevard to Wickenden Street. The Hi Road Ferris Wheel; the Beer, Wine, and

Spirits Garden; a rally focused on lifting up members of the LGBTQ+ community; a Youth Zone; and the Hasbro Kids Zone were big hits as well.

The PrideFest Main Stage was hosted by local celebrity LuLu Locks, Providence drag performers Complete Destruction and Onyx, and comedian John Kelley.

The stage featured New England-based gay dance party master DJ Ephraim Adamz. Our main stage was headlined

by Monet X Change from RuPaul's Drag Race Season 10 and Laila McQueen from RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8. Local high energy dance rock act Jodi Jolt and The Volt also appeared along with local singer Derek Capobianco, local drag performers, and many other acts representing various genres.

The Illuminated Night Parade kicked off shortly after 8pm and included over 3,000 people representing over 80 groups with floats as they marched and danced through the streets. The Parade was led

by Grand Marshall Ashley Delgado who is a local champion and fighter for the

LGBTQ+ community along with our Honorary Marshals: TGI Network, Youth Pride, and SAGE RI. The Parade viewing stand at the Providence Performing Arts Center was hosted by EGO Girl Annie B. Frank and Monet X Change, and featured guest judges including local drag queen favorite BB Hayes and former RI Pride President Rodney Davis.

Downtown Providence was bustling all weekend with block parties at Dark Lady, Stable, EGO, Eagle, Mirabar, and the Roslindale. It was beautiful and magical.

Thank you to everyone for coming. See you next year on Saturday, June 15, 2019!

Rhode Island Pride is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting the visibility, equality, and diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community and providing a safe space to come out, express, and celebrate all sexual identities and genders. For more information, email info@prideri.com or call (401) 467-2130.

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

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

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

ADDICTION SUPPORT GROUPS

AIDS Quilt RI: Displays local AIDS memorial quilt panels, panelmaking programs including Anna’s Workshop, HIV/AIDS education for young people. PO Box 2591, Newport. 434-4880. admin@ aidsquiltri.org. www.aidsquiltri.org.

Brown University AIDS Program: Clinical trials, public policy, research, lectures, conferences, patient and community education.

121 South Main Street, Second Floor, Providence. 863-6790. brunap@brown.edu. brown.edu/Departments/BRUNAP. Community Care Alliance: Case management, support, personal care items for people living with HIV/AIDS in northern Rhode Island. 245 Main Street, Woonsocket. 235-6092. lcohen@famresri.org.

Comprehensive Community Action Programs: Medical, mental health, dental, social services, LGBT outreach. 311 Doric Avenue, Cranston. Also Coventry, Pawtucket, and Warwick. 4679610.

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 South Main Street, Fall River, MA. Contact Jenn, (508) 678-1002.

HIV Antibody Testing: Anonymous. Free or sliding scale. RI Department of Health. Providence, Newport and other locations.

222-2320.

Home and Hospice Care of RI: Medical care management for HIV/AIDS. 24hr nursing staff for treatment. 1085 North Main Street, Providence. Referrals: 782-0725. Bereavement groups: Contact John Charette, 727-7079. Main Office: 415-4200 or toll-free 800338-6555. www.hhcri.org.

House of Compassion: HIV/AIDS housing. 2510 Mendon Road, Cumberland. 658-3992.

LGBT Caregiver Online Support Group: For LGBTs caring for someone with chronic health problems. www.caregiver.org Luis E. Martinez House CHS, Inc.: Supportive, permanent housing for 10 adults living with HIV/AIDS and/or substance abuse.

New Bedford, MA. Contact Joe Taylor. (508) 984-7514.

Miriam Hospital HIV & STD Testing Clinic: For gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, HIV, Hep C, and trichomoniasis. Linking to physicians for PrEP. Wed. -- Fri. 12:30 -- 3:30. 1125 N. Main St., Providence (rear of building). 793-4715

AA Brothers in Sobriety: Saturday 7:30pm. 372 Wayland Avenue, Providence. 751-9328.

AddictionCenter.com: Web information guide for addiction resources nationwide. Or call 1-877-830-2915.

Alcohol/Drug Helpline: RI Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence. 24hr. (866) 252-3784.

RI LGBT AA Group: Tuesdays 7 -- 8 pm Bell Street Chapel, 5 Bell St., Providence, 273-5678. All are welcome.

Seven Hills Behavioral Health: Addiction support services and Narcan. 1173 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA, 508999-4159. 310 S. Main Street, Fall River, MA, 508-235-1012.

Leonard Amaral, Program Manager, lamaral@sevenhills.org.

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous: 12-step program. Fridays at 7pm. Providence Presbyterian Church, 500 Hope Street, Providence, side entrance, downstairs to the left. Gay, but all are welcome.

YPTQ (Young People, Queer, Trans) meeting of AA: Wednesdays 7:30 -- 8:30pm, “common room” of Brown University Alumni Hall, 194 Meeting Street, Providence.

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.. Wed. and Thurs. 12 -- 3pm. 134 Mathewson St., Providence. Info: Kim Clohecy, 831-5522, Ext. 2299.

AIDS Action Hotline: MA only. (800) 235-2331. www.aac.org.

AIDS Care Ocean State: Confidential HIV & Hep C testing, safersex supplies, case management, emergency funds, clinical services, assisted and supportive housing for people living with HIV/AIDS, street outreach, ENCORE, HIV+ support groups. Speaker’s Bureau, 18 Parkis Ave., Providence. 521-3603 (call 781-0665 to schedule an appointment). www.aidscareos.org.

AIDS Project RI: Division of Family Service of RI. Case management, buddies, COBRA and dental services, emergency fund, mental health counseling, nutrition support, assessment and referral, wellness programs, advocacy, strength training, prevention education, HIV testing. 9 Pleasant Street, Providence. 831-5522 www.aidsprojectri.org.

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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 Street, Suite 5, North Providence. 484-7523. info@plaidsproject. org. www.plaidsproject.org Planned Parenthood of So. New England: Confidential, lowcost, same-day & walk-in STD and HIV testing. Commonsense approach to health. 175 Broad Street. 800-230-7526. www. ppsne.org.

Prima CARE Transgender Clinic: Fall River, MA. Counseling, hormonal reassignment, referrals for surgery. Kishore Lakshman, MD. 508-235-0481.

Seven Hills HIV Prevention & Screening: TWIST program, HIV and STI prevention and testing, partner care. 1173 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA, 508-999-4159. 310 S. Main Street, Fall River, MA, 508-235-1012. Contact Leonard Amaral, lamaral@sevenhills.org.

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. 386 Stanley Street, Fall River, MA. (508) 679-5222. Project Aware (HIV/HCV); (508) 324-3561. Family Healthcare Center; (508) 675-1054. 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 Street, New Bedford, MA. (508) 984-7514. www.steppingstoneinc.org.

Tranquil Mind & Wellness: Counseling, alternative healing, yoga, Pilates, meditation.109 Rhode Island Road, Lakeville, MA. (508) 947-1683. www.tranquilmind.net.

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 Street, Woonsocket. Contact Philip Kane. 7674100 ext. 3516.

RILGBT-News: Low-volume email distribution list for LGBT & AIDS news from RI. Not a discussion list. To subscribe: tinawood@cox.net.

South Coast LGBTQ Network: Information & advocacy network for individuals of all ages. 774-371-0711. info@ sclgbtqnetwork.org. www.sclgbtqnetwork.org.

United Way of RI Referral Line: 2-1-1 on your telephone.

INFORMATION/EDUCATION

POLITICAL & LEGAL GROUPS

The Center for Sexual Pleasure & Health: Education, pleasure, health, advocacy. Tues. -- Sat. 12 -- 6 and by appointment. 250 Main Street, Unit 1, Pawtucket. 489-5513. www.thecsph.org.

Fenway Community Center LGBT Helpline: Support, information and referrals. Fenway Community Health Center, Boston. Open daily 6-11pm. (617) 267-9001 or 888-340-452 GLBT National Help Center Hotline: Local resources nationwide provided by social services agency. 888-843-4564. www.glbtnationalhelpcenter.org.

Newport Out: LGBT website for Newport. www.newportout.com.

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): 128 Dorrance Street, Suite 400, Providence. 831-7171. riaclu.org.

Amnesty International OUTfront: Program to campaign globally for LGBTQ human rights. (212)807-8400. Cvohs18904@ yahoo.com. www.amnestyusa.org.

Brown University Queer Alliance: Student advocacy and support organization. queer@brown.edu.

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD): LGBT/HIV legal info hotline. Weekdays 1:30-4:30pm. 30 Winter Street, Suite 800, Boston, MA. (617) 436-1350 or (800) 455-GLAD. gladlaw@ glad.org www.GLAD.org.

Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund: 120 Wall Street, Suite 1500, NY. (212) 809-8585. www.lambdalegal.org.

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

NIGHTLIFE The Alley Cat Providence: Downtown neighborhood bar.

Monday-Thursday 3pm-1am, Friday 3pm-2am, Saturday 2pm2am, Sunday 2pm-1am. 19 Snow Street, Providence. 272-6369.

Bobby’s Place: Dancing, pool, video lounge, karaoke. SundayWednesday 5pm-1am, Thursday-Saturday 5pm-2am. 62 Weir Street, Taunton, MA. (508) 824-9997. www.bobbysplacema.com.

Brooklyn Coffee Tea House: 209 Douglas Ave., Providence: public/private venue for music, art, film screenings, weddings, showers, etc. RHODYWOOD@yahoo.com; 359-0192.

Club Body Center: Gay men’s sauna. Membership required.

One-day pass available. Open 24hr. 257 Weybosset Street, Providence. 274-0298. www.cbcresorts.com.

The Dark Lady: Downtown bar and nightclub. TuesdayThursday 9pm-1am, Friday & Saturday 9pm-3am, Sunday 9pm1am. 17 Snow Street, Providence. 272-6369.

EGO: Providence’s newest gay nightlife performance/event space. Sunday and Thursday 9pm-1am, Friday and Saturday 10pm-3am, 73 Richmond St, Providence. 383-1208. www.egopvd.com.

Mirabar: Downtown bar and nightclub. Monday-Thursday 3pm-1am, Friday and Saturday 3pm-2am, Sunday 3pm-1am.

15 Elbow Street, Providence. 331-6761. www.mirabar.com.

Providence Eagle: Leather, Levi, bear cruise bar. MondayThursday 2pm-1am, Friday 2pm-2am, Saturday-Sunday 12pm2am. 124 Snow Street, Providence. 421-1447.

The Stable: Downtown video bar. No cover. Monday-Thursday 2pm-1am, Friday 2pm-2am, Saturday 12pm-2am, Sunday 12pm1am. 125 Washington Street, Providence. 272-6950.

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National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Assoc./New England: Works for fair and accurate media coverage of LGBT issues. info@ nlgja.org, www.nlgja.org.

The Next Thing (TNT): Political and support group for queer people of color located at Brown University. 863-3062. tnt@ brown.edu.

RI Commission on Prejudice and Bias: Hate crime awareness training program. www.hatecrimeri.org.

RI Socialist Action: 952-5385, adgagneri@gmail.com. Spanish: 351-3514, walsil@cox.net.

RI Human Rights Commission: Anti-discrimination law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit. 180 Westminster Street, 3rd floor, Providence. 222-2662 TTY: 222-2664, richr.ri.gov.

Scouts for Equality: An organization composed largely of Boy Scouts of America alumni dedicated to ending the BSA’s ban on gay members and leaders. Contact Carol Crowther. ccrowther1@ gmail.com. Facebook.com/riscoutsforequality.

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network: Serving LGBT military personnel and veterans. PO Box 65301, Washington DC. (202) 328-3244. or (800) 538-7418. sldn@sldn.org. www.sldn.org.

RELIGIOUS & SPIRITUAL

All Saints Memorial Church: 674 Westminster Street, Providence.

751-1747. asmcri@verizon.net. www.allsaintsmemorial.org.

Amicable Congregational Church: UCC. Open & Affirming.

Pastor William Sterrett. Sunday 10am. 3736 Main Road, Tiverton.

624-4611. amicablechurch@aol.com, www.amicablechurch.org.

Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists: robin@awab.org, www.awab.org.

Barrington Congregational Church: UCC. “The white church.” Sundays 10am. 461 County Road, Barrington. 246-0111. office@bccucc.org, www.bccucc.org.

Bell Street Chapel: Unitarian Universalist. A Welcoming Congregation. Rev. Margaret Weis. Sundays 10am. 5 Bell Street, Providence. 273-5678. www.bellstreetchapel.org.

Beneficent Congregational Church: UCC.An Open & Affirming congregation in the heart of Providence. Sundays 10am. 300 Weybosset Street, Providence. 331-9844. BeneficentChurchUCC@ gmail.com, www.beneficentchurch.org.

Berean Baptist Church: A safe and welcoming place for all God’s children. Sunday 10am. 474 Chapel Street, Harrisville. 568-5411. bereanbaptist@verizon.net. www.bereanri.net Calvary United Methodist Church of Middletown: LGBTQ early dementia support group. Contact Amy. Sundays 10:30am. 200 Turner Road, Middletown. 847-6181, www.middletownmethodist.com.

Central Congregational Church: UCC. An Opening & Affirming Congregation. Sundays 10:30am. 296 Angell Street, Providence.

331-1960. www.centralchurch.us.

Channing Memorial Church: Unitarian Universalist. A Welcoming Congregation. Sundays 10am. 135 Pelham Street, Newport.

846-0643. administrator@channingchurch.org. www.channingchurch.org.

The Chapel of the Holy Spirit: Independent Old Catholic.

Fr. Jakob Lazarus. Sunday 9am and 6pm. 155 Douglas Avenue, Providence. 413-4821. www.holyparaclete.org.

Chapel Street Congregational Church UCC: Open & Affirming.

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185 Chapel St., Lincoln, RI. 722-7934. www.chapelstreetucc.com.

Charter Oak Grove ADF: An Open and Welcoming Congregation of Neo-pagan Druids in CT. charteroakadf@gmail.com, www.charteroakadf.org.

Christ Church in Lonsdale: 1643 Lonsdale Avenue, Lincoln. Services 8am and 10:30am.

725-1920. office@christchurchlincoln.org. www.christchurchlincoln.org.

Church of the Ascension, 390 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, RI 02910.

Sundays at 10am. 461-5811. www.ascensioncranston.org.

Church of the Epiphany: A diverse Open & Affirming Episcopal congregation. 1336 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence. 434-5012. info@epiphanyep.org, www.epiphanyep.org.

Church of the Redeemer, a Welcoming Episcopal church. 655 Hope St., Providence. www.redeemerprovidence.org. office@ redeemerprovidence.org. Rev. Patrick Campbell, 331-0678.

Concordia Center for Spiritual Living: A diverse community welcoming all spiritual paths to God. Sunday Celebration 9:15am.

292 W. Shore Rd., Warwick. Rev. Ian Taylor, 732-1552. info@concordiachurchri.com. www.ConcordiaCSL.com.

Edgewood Congregational Church: UCC. Open & Affirming.

Service 10am. 1788 Broad Street, Cranston. 461-1344. office@edgewoodchurchri.org. www.edgewoodchurchri.org.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church: Sundays 8 and 9:30am. 120 Nate Whipple Highway, Cumberland. 658-1506. office@emmanuelri.org. www.emmanuelri.org.

First Unitarian Church: A welcoming congregation.

Sunday 10:30am. 1 Benevolent Street, Providence. 421-7970. admin@firstunitarianprov.org, www.firstunitarianprov.org.

First Unitarian Church: Service 11am. 71 8th Street, New Bedford, MA. (508) 994-9686. admin@uunewbedford.org, www.uunewbedford.org.

First Universalist Society: UU. Welcoming congregation. Samegender weddings. 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin, MA. (508) 5285348. fusf@verizon.net, www.fusf.org.

Foxboro Universalist Church: UUA. Service 10am. 6 Bird Street, Foxboro, MA. 508-543-4002. chair@uufoxborough.org. www. uufoxborough.org.

Grace Episcopal Church in Providence: 175 Mathewson Street, Providence. 331-3225. hello@gracechurchprovidence.org. www. gracechurchprovidence.org.

Hopedale Unitarian Parish: Sundays 10:30 am. 65 Hopedale St., Hopedale, MA. www.hopedaleunitarian.org, 508-473-0745. Rev. Tony Lorenzen.

Immanuel Lutheran Church: A Reconciling in Christ congregation. Pastor Sandra Demmler D’Amico. 647 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA. (508) 222-2898. 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 Street, Newport.

846-0643.

Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd: A “Reconciling in Christ” congregation (Welcoming). 3383 Old North Rd., Kingston, RI. Sundays 9 am. Pastor Mary Hansen-Joyce. 789-7776; office@ goodshepherdri.org Mathewson St. Church: United Methodist. 134 Mathewson Street, Providence. 331-8900. MathewsonStUMC@gmail.com.

Mercy of God Community: Christian, inclusive religious order. mercycomm@yahoo.com, www.mgc.org.

Murray Unitarian Universalist Church: Marriage and commitment ceremonies for all. Rev. Bob McKetchnie.

505 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA. (508) 222-0505 www.murrayuuchurch.org.

Newman Congregational Church: Open & Affirming. 100 Newman Avenue, Rumford. 434-4742. www.newmanucc.org.

Newport Congregational Church: UCC. Open & Affirming.

Rev. Hayes and Rev. Baker. 73 Pelham Street, Newport. 849-2238.

Park Place Congregational Church: 71 Park Place, Pawtucket.

726-2800. office@ppucc.necoxmail.com, www.parkplaceucc.com.

The Pub Church: An Open & Affirming church that meets in a pub. Location may change. Saturday 5pm. The Dugout, 722 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA. thepubchurch@gmail.com.

Pilgrim Lutheran Church: An inclusive congregation. Sundays 8 and 9:30am. 1817 Warwick Avenue, Warwick. 739-2937. parishasst@pilgrimlutheranri.org, pilgrimlutheranri.jimdo.com.

Pilgrim United Church of Christ: Open and Affirming. 635 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA. (508)-997-9086.

Riverside Church: UCC.15 Oak Avenue, Riverside. Service 10am.

433-2039. www.rcc-ucc.com.

St. Augustine’s Church and Episcopal Center at URI: 15 Lower College Road, Kingston. 783-2153. Sundays 8am and 10am.

StAugustinesChurch@necoxmail.com, www.staugustineuri.org.

St. James Church: Episcopal. 474 Fruit Hill Avenue, North Providence. 353-2079.

St. Martin’s Episcopal Church: Sundays 8 and 10am. 50 Orchard Avenue, Providence. 751-2141. StMartinsNB.Secretary@gmail.com, www.stmartinsprov.org.

St. Martin’s Episcopal Church: Welcoming Church. Monthly LGBT Eucharist. 136 Rivet Street, New Bedford, MA. (508)9948972. stmartins1887@comcast.com, www.stmartinsma.org.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church: Sundays 9am. 50 Park Place, Pawtucket. 728-4300. office@stpaulspawtucket.org, www.stpaulspawtucket.org.

St. Paul’s Church: A welcoming Episcopal church. Sundays 9am.

2679 East Main Street, Portsmouth. 683-1164. stpaulsportsmouthri. org.

St. Peter & St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church: 25 Pomona Avenue, Providence. 272-9649.stpanda25@verizon.net. www.stpeters-standrews.org.

Saint Therese Old Catholic Church: Open & Affirming. Fr. David Martins. Sunday 10:30am. 1500 Main St., W. Warwick, RI 02893. 680-9076. stocc134@gmail.com, www.saintthereseocc.org.

Second Congregational Church of Attleboro: UCC. Open & Affirming. 50 Park Street, Attleboro, MA. Sunday 10am. (508) 2224677. office2nd@verizon.net. www.attleborosecondchurch.org.

Seekonk Congregational Church: Open & Affirming. Sundays 9 and 10:30am. Rev. Joy Utter, 600 Fall River Ave., Seekonk, MA. (508) 336-9355. sccucc@verizon.net. www.scc-ucc.com.

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

Contact for weekly meetings in Providence. 930 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston. (617) 264-2000. www.sgi-usa.org.

Temple Agudas Achim: Reconstructionist congregation.

901 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA. (508) 222-2243. office@agudasma.org, www.agudasma.org.

Temple Beth-El: Rabbi Sarah E. Mack. 70 Orchard Avenue, Providence. 331-6070. info@temple-beth-el.org, www.temple-beth-el.org.

Temple Emanu-El: A welcoming Conservative congregation.

Rabbi Wayne Franklin. 99 Taft Avenue, Providence. 331-1616. info@teprov.org, www.teprov.org.

Temple Habonim: A warm, Welcoming Reform congregation.

Rabbi Andrew Klein. 165 New Meadow Road, Barrington. 245-

6536. office@templehabonim.org, www.templehabonim.org.

Temple Sinai: A Welcoming Reform temple. Rabbi Jeff Goldwasser, 30 Hagen Avenue, Cranston. 942-8350. webmaster@templesinairi.org, www.templesinairi.org.

Unitarian Church in Fall River: Sunday 10:30am. 309 North Main Street, Fall River, MA. 508-678-9700. office@unitarianchurchfr.org, www.unitarianchurchfr.org.

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

102 Green Street, Fairhaven, MA. (508) 992-7081. www.uufairhaven. org.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County: 27 North Road, Peace Dale. 783-4170 or Val 789-7282. uucscri@ yahoo.com. www.uusouthcountyri.org.

United Congregational Church, 524 Valley Rd., Middletown RI 02842. A Welcoming congregation. Sunday, 10 am. www.UCCMiddletown.org. 849-5444.

Westminster Unitarian Universalist Church: A UUA Welcoming Congregation. 119 Kenyon Avenue, East Greenwich.

884-5933. www.westminsteruu.org.

SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS Bisexual Resource Center: PO Box 170796, Boston, MA. (617) 4249595. brc@bicresource.net www.biresource.net.

Biversity Boston: Mixed-gender social events for Boston and the surrounding area. (617) 424-9595. biversity-subscribe@biversity.org, www.biversity.org.

Boston Bisexual Women’s Network: Social activities including monthly brunches, coming out groups and quarterly newsletter “Bi Woman Quarterly.” www.biwomenboston.org.

Cape and Islands Gay & Straight Youth Alliance (CIGSYA): 56 Barnstable Road, Hyannis, MA. (508) 778-7744. info@cisgsya.org, www.cigsya.org.

Communisong: For unity through song. Non-performance monthly singing session. www.communisong.net.

Gay Men’s Social Group: FirstTuesdays,6 -- 9pm,Seven Hills Behavioral Health, 1177 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford, MA. Refreshments. Info: Lenny Amaral, 508-999-4159 or lamaral@sevenhills.org.

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. icri.prov@gmail.com. www.icriprov.org.

Mixed Borders Gardening Group: Gardening and more. Monthly meetings, all welcome. Mixedborders@cox.net. www.mixedborders.com.

Opera Club: Enjoy hearing and attending. Last Sunday of each month at 1pm. BrettCornellpi4@aol.com.

Providence Gay Men’s Chorus: New season rehearsals begin in January and August. Singers and non-singing volunteers welcome.

Monday 7-9:30pm. Beneficent Church, 300 Weybosset Street, Providence. www.provgmc.org.

Queer Book Club: 3rd Wednesday, 7pm. Books on the Square, 471 Angell Street, Providence, queerbookclub@gmail.com.

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RI Association of Gay Professionals: Networking and philanthropy. www.riagp.com.

RI Parents Pride: Gay parents socializing together with their children.

Contact Melanie. 464-2288. saphicangel120@yahoo.com.

RI Pride: Open house 4th Wednesdays. Festival & Parade 3rd Saturday in June. Office: 1055 Westminster St., Providence 02903. Mail: PO Box 1082, Providence, 02903. 467-2130. info@prideri.com, www.prideri.com.

RI Prime Timers: Social and networking group for older gay and bi men. Second Sunday. Call Steve, 996-3010. www.riprimetimers.org.

RI Skeptics Society: Yearning to talk with someone rational? Refreshing discussion. Fourth Saturday. East Providence restaurant location. www. meetup.com/skeptics-133/.

RI Women’s Association: Lesbian social group. 21+. Dances & events. www.riwa.net SAGE/RI (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders): Advocacy, education and social events for LGBT seniors. SAGE-RI at CareLink, 1 Virginia Ave., Providence, RI 02905. 443-4451. sageriinfo@gmail.com. www.sage-ri.org.

SEMASSMEN: Social group for GBQ men of southeastern MA & RI to foster strong friendships. Semassmen-subscribe@ yahoogroups.com. rlevass@yahoo.com.

Smart Monkey Gay Men’s Support Group. Meets twice monthly in Cranston to learn about integrity, intimacy and male roles. Write Paul (ctripaul@yahoo.com) or Steve (43dadzone@gmail.com).

South Coast Social Club for Gay & Bisexual Men: Social and networking opportunities for gay & bisexual men in S.E. Mass. www. southeastsocialclub.com.

Yankee Lambda Car Club: Regional club for GLBT vintage and specialty car enthusiasts. www.yankeelcc.com.

SPORTS & RECREATION PrideSports Boston: Network of twenty-plus gay sports leagues/teams in Boston area. www.pridesportsboston.com.

Boston Gay BASKETBALL League: ksg.bgbl@gmail.com, www.bgbl.com.

BOATING: Yankee Cruising Club, New England’s club for LGBTQ boaters. www.yankeecruising.org. yankeecruisingclub@ gmail.com. Keith (508) 423-6123.

Big Gay Al’s Duckpin BOWLING League: Proceeds benefit AIDS causes. Tuesday 6:30pm. 1463 Atwood Avenue, Town Hall Lanes, Johnston. Contact Frank Ferri. 831-6940.www. bgalbowling.com. www.townhalllanes.com.

FIELD HOCKEY: Teamworks Somerset, 732 Lee’s River Ave., Somerset, MA. New season every 10 weeks. (508-676-3956) info@teamworkssomerset.com GALA Bowling League: Sundays 5:50 p.m., E. Providence Lanes, 80 Newport Ave., E. Providence. Season begins in Aug. View us on Facebook or email galabowling1990@gmail.com.

FLAG (For Lesbians And Gays) FOOTBALL: Bostonbased recreational football club. All skill levels are encouraged to participate. Saturday mornings in the fall and spring. www. flagflagfootball.com.

Boston Pride HOCKEY: www.bostonpridehockey.org.

Rondeaus KICKBOXING: 272-5425. www. rondeauskickboxing.com.

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Main Street MARTIAL ARTS: Non-profit. Welcoming dojo and community center. 1282 North Main Street, Providence.

274-7672.www.mainstma.org.

Chiltern Mountain Club: OUTDOOR recreation club in New England. events@chiltern.org. www.chiltern.org.

Boston Gay ROWERS: Worldwide online community for gay and lesbian rowers, coxies, coaches, and race officials. www.glrf.org.

Boston Ironsides RUGBY Football: www.bostonironsides.org.

Providence Women’s RUGBY Club: Competitive and recreational. www.providencerugby.com Frontrunners Rhode Island RUNNING Group: Running and walking group. Newcomers welcome. Meet at the end of Blackstone Boulevard at Hope Street, Providence. Thursday 6pm. Contact Brian. 751-7643. bripm@cox.net, frontrunnersri@ gmail.com Frontrunners Boston RUNNING Group: Morning walk/ run along the Charles River. Saturdays,10am. Club Cafe, 209 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA. www.frontrunnersboston.org.

OutRyders SKIING: New England’s largest gay and lesbian ski and snowboard club. www.outryders.org.

Boston Strikers SOCCER Club: Non-profit social organization to learn and improve soccer skills in a relaxed, congenial environment. www.bostonstrikers.com.

Renaissance City SOFTBALL League: New players and boosters always welcome. www.providencesoftball.org.

Beantown SOFTBALL League: Friendly competition. 27 teams in four divisions of play: competitive, intermediate, and recreational. (617) 297-7490. www.beantownsoftball.com.

LANES (Liquid Assets New England SWIMMING): Fitness and/or competition. (617) 937-5858. www.swim-lanes.org.

TENNIS-4-All: Boston area tennis organization. www. tennis4all.org.

Cambridge Boston VOLLEYBALL Association: Players of all skill levels welcome. secretary@cbvolleyball.net www.gayvolleyball.net.

Ocean State Pride VOLLEYBALL League: Adult coed indoor league following USVBA rules. No try-outs. Fee applies. Kent County YMCA, 900 Centerville Road, Warwick. ospvolleyball@gmail.com.

East Coast WRESTLING Club: (617)937.5858 x6. ecwc@juno.com. www.eastcoastwrestlingclub.org.

STUDENTS & YOUTH Bristol Community College The Lambda Connection: (TLC@ BCC) Robert Delaleu, Advisor; BCC-G118, 777 Elsbree St., Fall River, MA (774)357-4056.

Brown University Queer Alliance: Umbrella organization at Brown University for LGBTQ groups. 863-3062. queer@brown.edu or lgbtq@brown.edu.

CCRI Gender Equity Initiative: SafeZone & Trans* 101 training.

Support, info for LGBTQ people and allies. www.ccri.edu/genderequity.

CCRI Triangle Alliance: an LGBTQQ student-run group at CCRI, on the Flanagan, Liston, and Knight campuses. www.ccri.edu/triangle/.

Home to Hope: Support for housing-insecure LGBT youth 13 -- 24. Crisis intervention, medical and other services. At YPI (743 Westminster St., Prov.) and Mathewson St. Church (134 Mathewson St., Prov.) varying days and times. For info/appointments: ayanna@ rihomeless.org or 484-7720.

LGBT National Youth Talkline: 800-246-7743. Private one-to-one chat and info on local resources.

Peer Listening Line: Youth-staffed hotline for GLBT youth. Support, info and referrals. 5-10pm. Fenway Community Health Center, Boston, MA. (617) 267-9001 or (800) 399-PEER. www.fenwayhealth.org.

Queer & Trans Thursdays: 6-8pm. 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. www.prysm.us. 383-7450.

Rhode Island College LGBTQ+ Office: works towards inclusion of gender, gender identity/expression and sexual orientation in all appropriate aspects of campus life. 401-456-9033 www.ric.edu/lgbtq Salve Regina University – The Alliance: 100 Ochre Point Avenue, Newport. Contact: Benjamin Mead, benjamin.mead@salve.edu S.H.E.P.A.R.D. (Stopping Homophobia, Eliminating Prejudices and Restoring Dignity): Providence College, 1 Cunningham Square, Providence. 865-1631. shepard@providence.edu.

The Trevor Project: The only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBT youth. Also offers social networks. (866)4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386). thetrevorproject.org.

University of RI LGBTIQ2: Alumni association. 874-5808. gsimonelli@uri.edu.

URI LGBTQ Center: A cultural department for students, faculty and staff. Florence Badejo. 874-2894.

Youth Pride Inc.: Support, education & advocacy for LGBTQQ young people ages 13--23. Tues. -- Fri. 2 -- 8pm. The Way Out peer support group Thurs. 4pm. Gender Spectrum support group Tues. 4pm. Visit our website for full calendar of events. 743 Westminster St., Providence. 421-5626. info@youthprideri.org. www.youthprideri.org.

SUPPORT GROUPS & SOCIAL SERVICES

Abuse Victims and Survivors: Support on phone for LGBTQ victims & survivors of partner abuse. Confidential peer-led groups. Hotline: (617) 742-4911. TTY: (617) 227-4911. advocate@tnlr.org.

Adoption Options: Non-sectarian help. Jewish Family Service, 959 North Main Street, Providence. Contact Betsy Alper. 3315437. www.adoptionoptions.org.

Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center: Offering resources for victims of domestic violence. 723-3057. www.bvadvocacycenter.org.

Child & Family Services: Counseling, young parent support, adoption, more. LGBT groups beginning July. Open six days.

66 Troy St., Fall River, MA. (508) 676-5708. www.childfamilyservices.org Community Care Alliance: Stipend, assistance, training provided by Family Resources Community Action. 235-6095. www.famresri.org.

Compass: FTM trans info, support and social group.

Boston first Thursday 7-9pm. compassftm@gmail.com. www.compassftm.org.

Crossroads RI Hotline: (800) 367-2700.

Day One: Counseling & legal aid for victims of sexual assault/ abuse & incest. 24hr hotline. (800) 494-8100. 421-4100. www.dayoneri.org.

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

confidential helpline. 782-3990 or toll free 800-494-8100, www.dvrcsc.org.

Family Service of RI: Training, stipend, support provided for nurturing adoptive families. Family Service of RI. Contact Gregary Wright. 331-1350 ext. 3305. www.familyserviceri.org.

Foster parents needed: For newborn to age six. 276-4300. www.childrensfriendri.org.

Gay Fathers of Greater Boston: Support. 738 Main St. #323, Waltham, MA. (781) 333-8429. info@gayfathersboston.org, www.gayfathersboston.org.

Gay Men’s HIV+ Social Group: Third Tuesdays, 6 -- 9pm.

Refreshments. Seven Hills Behavioral Health, 1177 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford, MA. Info: Lenny Amaral, 508-999-4159 or email lamaral@sevenhills.org.

Gay Officers Action League (GOAL)/New England: Law enforcement officers (sworn & civilian), fire, rescue & publicly employed EMS. Confidential. P.O. Box 171587, Boston, MA 02117. www.newenglandgoal.org. On Facebook at NewEnglandGOAL. Gay Share: Coming Out? Gay men’s support group. No fee.

Wednesday 7:30pm. Contact Tom or Mike. 369-9448. info@ gayshare.org, www.gayshare.org.

LGBT Grief Support: Meets regularly at Hope Hospice, 1085 No. Main St.., Providence. Rebecca Sizelove, 415-4301.

Helpline for LGBT Youth: Trevor Helpline and social networks for crisis and suicide prevention. 24/7. (866) 4-U-Trevor.

HIV+ Gay Men’s Support Group: Refreshments served.

AIDS Care Ocean State, 18 Parkis Avenue, Providence. 5213603. New members contact Scott. 640-3108.

Kathys’ Group: Free support group for lesbians with cancer or any life-threatening illness. Partners and caregivers welcome.

Meets monthly in Providence. 888-5KATHYS. Mantalk of S.E. Mass: Thurs. eves. in Taunton, MA. Social support for gay, bi, and questioning men from Mass. and RI. Confidential, drug- and alcohol-free. Find us on Facebook and MeetUp. MentalHelp.net: National directory of inpatient treatment options for those with substance abuse problems. www. mentalhelp.net/care/substance-abuse/ri/ 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). 1340 Boylston Street, Boston, MA. Contact Sarah Eley, LICSW. 857-313-6551. seley@fenwayhealth.org.

PFLAG (Parents, & Friends of Lesbians & Gays): Attleboro Chapter serves Southeast Mass. Third Wednesday 6:45 p.m., Second Congregational Church, 50 Park St. (side door). email pflagattleboro@gmail.com. Greater Providence Chapter serves all R.I. First Wednesday at 6:45 p.m., Met School, 325 Public St., Providence. 751-7571. PFLAGprovidence@gmail.com. www. pflagprovidence.org.

Project RENEW: Support, employment services, HIV prevention for male and female sex workers. Amos House, 415 Friendship St., Providence. 272-0220. Trans support group meets Thurs. Info: transoutreachpwr@gmail.com.

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Queer & Trans Thursdays: Space for LGBTQ and heterosexual youth (24 and under) of color to foster coalitionbuilding and organize to address intersections of oppressions.

6-8pm. 669 Elmwood Ave., Rm. B7, Providence. www.prysm. us. 383-7450.

Rape Crisis Center for S.E. Mass: New Hope, Inc. Advocacy, shelter, services for domestic abuse survivors. Hotline (800) 323-HOPE. Office (508)226-4015.

RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 24hr helpline: (800) 494-8100. 467-9940.

RI Rainbow Support Group: For people with disabilities who identify as LGBTQ. Last Tuesday. 98 Rolfe Street, Cranston.

6-7:30pm. Contact Ken Renaud. 785-2100.

Samaritans: 24hr hotline for suicidal, lonely, despairing, depressed. (800) 365-4044. 272-4044 (RI only). www. samaritansri.org.

Seven Hills Behavioral Health: HIV Prevention and Screening.

310 South Main Street, Fall River, MA. (508) 235-1012. T.W.I.S.T. (508) 672-0378.

Sexual Health Education & Advocacy Program: HIV, sexual wellness, domestic violence risk reduction. Free, confidential, bilingual (Spanish). No caller ID used. Calls blocked for safety.

861-6191 ext. 121.

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. 24hr helpline. 765-3232.

861-6191. Office 861-6191. www.sojournerri.org

St. Mary’s Home for Children: Sexual abuse treatment for children. 450 Fruit Hill Ave., No. Providence. www.smhfc.org.

Adam Cable, 353-3900.

Straight Spouses: Groups and online support. www. straightspouse.org.

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.

Location & information: 441-5058. info@tginetwork.org. www. tginetwork.org.

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. Providence. Location unpublished for privacy. partners@tginetwork.org.

Trans* Youth Family Allies: Support for gender-variant and transgender children ages 3-18. info@imatyfa.org, www.imatyfa. org.

Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA): Growing organization to address the concerns of fair treatment of transgender veterans and active duty service members. www.tavausa.org.

Women’s Resource Center of Newport and Bristol Counties: Offering services to victims of domestic violence.

846-5263. www.wrcnbc.org.

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Options | August 2018

Felicitations

By Felicia Nimue Ackerman

August Gaiety

The summer is ripe, and it's great to be gay, To flourish your heart in your favorite way, To go to the beach with the one you adore And swim in the ocean or loll on the shore, To rev yourself up and embark on a run, Or stay on your sofa, away from the sun, To count up the months till that glorious hour When Trump and his henchmen will exit from power.

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2018

R B E E M T P E S

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