This Just in from the Ocean State

Trans Day of Visibility

Rhode Island State Sen. Tiara Mack introduced a resolution in the State Senate to mark Wed., March 31, as the 12th annual International Transgender Day of Visibility. Ethan Huckel, board president of the TGI Network of Rhode Island, was invited to do the invocation that opens the Senate.

“Today we celebrate transgender empowerment,” said Huckel, “but there is work that remains to ensure that all transgender Rhode Islanders are empowered to live freely and speak their identities and experiences openly.”

Sen. Mack then introduced community advocate and poet Justice Gaines to deliver two poems. “Before I start,” Gaines said, “I would just like to let you know, as folks who hold a lot of power in Rhode Island, that trans empowerment cannot only come in words, but also has to come in action.” Gaines then performed two powerful poems, after which the resolution was read and passed with acclimation.

The Goddess Show

March 28 saw well over 100 Ocean State lesbians and their friends tuning in to YouTube for the 22nd Annual RI Pride Goddess Show: “A Celebration of Women in the Arts.” 

Featured performances included singer Virginia Dare, comedian Poppy Champlin, singer Aba “A’Biggs” Armoo-Daniels, the Chifforobe Atelier Workshop with Kristen Minsky, Jodi Jolt of Jodi Jolt and the Volt (singing her COVID hit “Five Cats Poop a Lot”), drag king Randy Andy and the House of Randy, singer Sarah Rich, famed drag queen and honorary Rhode Islander Kitty Litter, making a special appearance from North Carolina, band Heather Rose in Clover and comedian Mimi Gonzalez. 

Comedian Karen O’Donnell delivered a solid performance as emcee.

Keep It Up!

Keep It Up! (KIU!) is an online program from AIDS Project Rhode Island (APRI). Designed for young gay and bi+ men ages 18–34, it gives them an opportunity to learn more about HIV, sexually transmitted infections, dating and many other topics in a fun, inclusive and highly accessible way. 

KIU! contains five 45-minute online episodes that unlock as participants complete them. As participants watch episodes, they gain skills that clarify and answer questions about HIV/STIs, safer sex strategies, mental and emotional health and communicating their values to their partner(s) as they develop a plan that fits their overall health goals. In addition to viewing the online content, participants are asked to complete a full HIV/STI screening at the end of the program so that APRI staff can discuss and review the goals.

While the program may be accessed and completed at the participant’s own pace, APRI is now hosting monthly events via Zoom to foster the KIU! community in Rhode Island. The events are tailored to specific topics that are meant to encourage folks to learn from their community. Event themes include nutrition, love languages, condom usage and STI awareness.

More: www.aidsprojectri.org/kiu; @kiu.ri (Instagram); or email Gene Hernandez at hernandezge@familyserviceri.org 

Gender-inclusive restrooms

Gender-inclusive restroom signage on single-stall restrooms may be coming soon to Rhode Island. 

H5741 is a bill sponsored by RI State Representative John “Jay” Edwards that would make all single-stall restrooms in buildings of public accommodation gender-inclusive. It will also mandate that if government buildings do not have a single-stall restroom, they must build one when/if they undergo construction.

A hearing was held on the bill before the House Judiciary committee on March 15, and in the Senate on April 2. During the hearing, representatives from TGI Network of Rhode Island, LGBTQ Action RI, GLAD, Thundermist Health Center, and Sojourner House testified on the importance of passing this bill for the physical and mental health and safety of the state’s trans and gender diverse community. 

Wendy Becker, a long-time advocate for LGBTQ rights in Rhode Island, testified, “This bill allows individual bathrooms to simply serve individuals who need them, without regard to gender. As the mother of a nonbinary person, this legislation means knowing my child won’t have to avoid public spaces, fearing they will be harassed, assaulted, or threatened in the bathroom.”

LGBTQ Action RI advocates for the bill’s passage, saying in a statement that it will “reduce the risk of harassment or violence and support dignity and respect for non-binary Rhode Islanders.”

 In addition, caregivers of people of a different gender, including parents and children, will also benefit. 

“There are many opportunities to support this bill’s passage,” said Denise Crooks of LGBTQ Action RI. “It’s still awaiting a hearing in the Senate and we will need folks to provide written and oral testimonies on the bill’s necessity. Calling your state representative and senator to talk about the importance of this bill will also help.”

At-home HIV testing

Thanks to a partnership between the RI Dept of Health and AIDS Project RI, free at-home HIV testing kits are available as an alternative to walk-in testing. 

Test kits will be sent in a plain package, along with safer sex supplies and other information. APRI can also arrange a pick-up of a test.

More: aidsprojectri.org

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