This Just in from the Ocean State
Mayor Smiley
On midterm election night, Democrat Brett Smiley officially became the mayor-elect of Providence. Formerly the chief of staff for former Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo, and the acting director of the Rhode Island Department of Administration, he ran unopposed.
An openly gay resident of Providence, he is married to realtor Jim DeRentis. During his campaign, Smiley centered his belief that Providence can be the best-run city in the country by supporting quality schools, building safer streets, and improving city services for residents in every neighborhood.
“Providence has all of the ingredients to be a world class city,” he said, “if we can get back to the basics and get them right.”
Smiley assumed office on January 2.
New name, same great service
In case you haven’t yet heard, SAGE-RI is changing its name in 2023.
The name change is driven entirely by a change within the national SAGE organization, SAGE-USA, which is moving from an affiliate business model to a partnership model. This change required that all SAGE affiliates undergo a name change to be fully in place by Dec. 31, 2022.
While their name moves away from SAGE, they will remain a SAGE-USA partner, having access to all of its programs, services and expertise.
More: sage-ri.org
Club Q vigil
Over two dozen organizations held a vigil in late November to hold space and honor the five members of the queer community killed at the Club Q night club in Colorado Springs on the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance. Over 300 people attended the event in Providence’s Dexter Park.
The candlelight vigil gave community members an opportunity to speak out against violence, bigotry and anti-queer, anti-trans and anti-BIPOC rhetoric that has become all too common.
Trans Day of Joy
Also in November, members of the transgender community, along with their families and allies gathered at the Contemporary Theater in South Kingston to celebrate a “Trans Day of Joy.” The outdoor event, organized by LGBTQ Action RI, featured speakers, information about local organizations, available resources for individuals and families, and actions to take in support of transgender equality in the state.
“Trans Day of Joy is not just a gathering, a rally, or a response to the ongoing spread of misinformation and disinformation around ‘gender ideology in schools” said organizers ahead of the event. “The lives of trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse people are so much more than the ongoing headlines of tragedy.
“We’ve all seen the increase in anti-LGBTQ, anti-transgender attacks. But that’s not who Rhode Islanders are. We’re here because Rhode Island has a wonderful, dynamic, engaged community of transgender people and allies, and we want to celebrate that.”
TDOR commemorates lives lost
On Nov. 20, TGI Network of Rhode Island supported a special service, held over Zoom, to commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance, a solemn and meaningful occasion to recognize the toll that anti-trans violence has taken on members of the trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive community. It is a time to recognize and remember those bright souls lost during the previous twelve months.
Gala PVD
The second annual Gala PVD was held Nov. 11 at the Graduate Providence to benefit Open Door Health. Dragula’s La Zavaletta hosted a friendly battle between performers who fought to win the most in tips (all being donated to Open Door Health).
Hosted by The Stable, this creative black-tie event is touted to be the event of the year.
More: odhpvd.org
HRC Municipal Equality Index
New England earned leading scores once again on the Human Rights Campaign’s 11th annual Municipal Equality Index.
In the Ocean State, Providence scored 100. East Providence and Pawtucket both scored 66, Warwick and Newport 62, Cranston 59, South Kingston 58 and Narragansett 52.
More: hrc.org
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