This Just in from the Ocean State
Trans Day of Remembrance
This year, there were at least two events in Rhode Island memorializing the lives of transgender people lost to violence and injustice. One, an online event, held by the Providence Human Relations Commission, was co-hosted by Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, TGI Network of Rhode Island, RI Pride and Youth Pride.
The other gathering was sponsored by The Rhode Island College Unity Center and Providence Student Youth Movement’s Queer Transformative Roots program. This event, held on November 21, was held outdoors at Dexter Park (also livestreamed on Facebook), emcee Justice Ameer Gaines explaining that, although Trans Day of Remembrance is historically held on November 20, the group chose to do a vigil outdoors (masks mandatory) “because we felt that it’s important that we can be in community together.”
Both events paid their respects to the many lives lost as a result of hate crimes, particularly trans women of color.
‘Unapologetically Black and queer’
Tiara Mack is headed to the Rhode Island Senate, after defeating a 30-year incumbent in the Democratic primary. The news has traveled far and wide, including coverage on NBC News, whose story ran with the headline above.
The 26-year-old state senator-elect is excited to be a fresh voice in the RI State House, after taking over for anti-choice, anti-same-sex marriage Harold Metts, a deeply religious man who often chose to follow his interpretation of the Bible over the wishes of his constituents. Long a community activist, Mack now looks forward to working to raise the minimum wage and passing affordable housing reforms, as well as adding her voice and powerful presence to the diversity of the State Legislature.
Passages
Tatiana Jones, the beloved Trans Outreach Coordinator at Project Weber/Renew, and one of the faces of AIDS United’s impactful grant program, passed away in late October.
Having started a trans support group at AIDS United, she created a welcoming and loving environment. Her loss is felt by many, as the sentiments of Uprise RI’s Steve Ahlquist illustrate: “One thing I think about constantly is the fact that trans folx suffer lifetimes of prejudice, which I’m sure Tatiana faced, and that these prejudices create lives that are difficult. When a woman like her succeeds in not only surviving, but in making a real impact, it is worth celebrating and worth remembering her strength and heroism.”
And on November 24, another much-loved member of the RI LGBTQ community died.
Ken Fish was known for his passion for education, serving as the director of the Office of Middle and High School Reform at the RI Dept. of Education for many years, and for his community spirit, co-founding AIDS Project Rhode Island in 1985 and serving on the boards of Youth Pride RI, School One and others. A lifelong fan of New England sports teams, he could often be found at McCoy Stadium whenever the Pawsox were playing.
Rainbow Wave winner
Well before other 2020 election results dragged on for days, incumbent Congressman David Cicilline sailed into an early win with 71.1% of the vote.
And in doing so he became a leader of what the national media’s calling a new Rainbow Wave. Cicilline is now one of eight openly LGBTQ people elected to Congress in this election—and that number may have grown to nine by the time all votes have been counted (after our current issue’s press deadline)—making the incoming US Congress “the queerest in history,” as Out magazine calls it. (Senators Tammy Baldwin and Kyrsten Sinema bring the elected officials on Capitol Hill to a total of 10 or most likely 11).
Cicilline serves as co-chair of the US Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus. Previously serving as mayor of Providence from 2003 to 2011, was the first openly gay chief executive of any US state capital. —RP
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