This Just in from the Ocean State
Walkout over transphobic teacher
A walkout at the Providence Public School Department (PPSD) was held in late September to protest a teacher at Classical High School who, students report, engages in transphobic hate speech in the classroom. Event organizers say this teacher isn’t safe for students to be around and needs to be fired.
The teacher, Ramona Bessinger, has also posted on social media, calling the use of pronouns an issue of concern to her, and urging parents to use their child’s birth name on school documents.
Here’s a sample from Twitter: “It is insanity to expect normal, mentally stable people to go believe a biological man can suddenly become a woman or vice versa. How insane?”
The peaceful protest lasted just under two hours, but reportedly there were calls from around the country, urging school officials to quash the protest. In addition, school officials called the parent of a student organizer, calling on them to get the student “under control.” The parent supported their child, and the protest went ahead as planned.
Protest at library
On September 19, hundreds of protesters gathered on the lawn of the William Hall Library in Cranston after the library permitted an anti-trans forum to take place at the library.
Sponsored by the Independent Women’s Network, the forum featured speakers who warned against the indoctrination of children to believe they were born into the wrong body, citing lesson plans that purportedly teach children to accept a set of pro-transgender beliefs uncritically.
Among the speakers at the protest rally were Rev. Donnie Anderson and Sen. Tiara Mack, who said “Never forget that you are beautiful. Never forget that your body is your own. No one gets to tell you who you are.”
Equity Action grants
Twelve nonprofit organizations serving LGBTQ Rhode Islanders engaged in efforts ranging from advocacy for families and youth to improving the delivery of health care are the beneficiaries of this year’s combined $77,500 in grants through the Equity Action Fund at the RI Foundation.
“These organizations strive to ensure the health, safety and fair treatment of every LGBTQ Rhode Islander. As we begin recovering from the impact of COVID-19 on programs and services, the work of these organizations is more crucial than ever,” said Adrian Bonéy, who oversees the Equity Action Fund grant program at the Foundation.
Beneficiaries include GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), Haus of Codec, Project Weber/RENEW, the Providence Public Library, Queer Archive Work, RIOT RI, the Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre, Sojourner House, Stages of Freedom, the Steel Yard, Thundermist Health Center and Youth Pride, Inc.
Guided by a volunteer advisory committee comprised of leaders in the LGBTQ communities, the fund has made more than $1.1 million in grants to dozens of organizations over the years.
Health care safe zones
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island has added 21 more health care practices and centers to its growing list of LGBTQ Safe Zones. This designation shows that the providers have demonstrated care designed to meet the specific needs of LGBTQ patients.
To earn this distinctive logo, providers must have staff training specific to the care of LGBT 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.
More: bcbsri.com
LGBTQ+ ELDER HOUSING
A four-story apartment building, created with the older LGBTQ community in mind will be part of the 29-acre East Point housing development in the Phillipsdale area of Rumford. Affiliated with Aldersbridge Communities and scheduled to be completed in 2023, the building will provide 39 units of independent living-style housing for LGBTQ elders and their allies, and will feature light and airy apartments situated around common corridors and sitting areas, as well as an outdoor terrace and a courtyard for gathering. The spaces are designed to be energy efficient, with open floor plans, and elevators are in the works as well.
East Providence Mayor Roberto DaSilva said in a statement, “We applaud Aldersbridge for their forward thinking and are inspired by their dedication to making this happen.”
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