This Just in from the Ocean State
Rainbow crosswalks in Newport
The Newport City Council voted 6-1 in late May in favor of a resolution to permanently paint three crosswalks around “Equality Park” in rainbow colors to support the LGBTQ+ community.
Newport Out (now known as Newport Pride, having achieved 501(c)(3) status) has been working toward this for three years, even committing to pay for the paint. Of their victory, Daniel Cano Restrepo, Newport Pride’s president, says, “We’re really proud to be the first municipality in Rhode Island to take on a project like this. We think this kind of visual display is so important as a symbol of welcome and inclusion. We’re proud of our community and city council for embracing and supporting this!”
Options’ Pride kickoff
On June 1, the LGBT community came together at Providence’s Blaze Smith Hill to celebrate 40 years of Options, the newsmagazine for the RI queer community. The event was emceed by Sen. Tiara Mack, and included music, proclamations and drag performances, as well as food and drink served on Blaze’s outdoor patio.
Begun in 1982, the publication has produced a special edition to commemorate the occasion.
More: Optionsri.org
Homophobic backlash
State Senator Tiara Mack (Democrat, District 6, Providence, RI Rank #2) has been targeted by her opponents in response to her comprehensive sexual education bill (S2285), introduced to the RI Senate in April.
The proposed bill would provide students in grades 6–12 with access to sexual education programs appropriate for students of all races, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, gender identities and expressions, and sexual orientations.
In several online attacks, Mack has been accused of being a groomer and a pedophile. In addition, racist language has been used.
Pride flag reversal
The organizers of the Little Compton Pride Celebration thought they had approval to fly the pride flag over the town hall for their second annual event, according to UpRise RI.
The town council had unanimously approved flying the flag last year, but Council President Robert Mushen was absent when the vote was taken. This year Mr. Mushen convinced his fellow Republicans to vote against their previous decision.
Actually, the town council tabled a motion to establish a “flag-flying policy.” Advocates countered that the issue should default to the previous position, the approval to fly the pride flag, pointing to the fact that the Armenian Flag has been raised to mark the 1915 genocide for each of the last 20 years.
Two-spirit pride
A two-spirit Rhode Islander made NBC News’ “Out and Proud Pride 30” list.
Dancing was always part of Sherenté Mishitashin Harris’ life, says NBC, but it wasn’t until they were 16 that they stepped into the tradition in a new way, merging Indigenous dance and queer activism.
A member of the Narragansett tribe, who are descendants of the aboriginal people of Rhode Island, Harris has broken barriers in traditional dancing.
They began dancing in the tradition of their father, a war dancer. Then, at age 16, they came out as Two Spirit, and began dancing in the tradition of their mother.
More: nbcnews.com/2022pride30
