This just in from the Ocean State
Brunch babes fight back
On Sunday, April, numerous drag queens, including LaDiva Jonz, Ninny Nothin’, Viza D. Klein, Claire Annette, Ladda Nurv, Vi’let and Jacqueline DiMera, held a benefit for the ACLU Drag Defense Fund.
The group represented performers from drag brunches across the state, raising money to help fight anti-drag laws.
Among the hundreds gathered at the Stable for the event was RI Congressman Seth Magaziner, who said lawmakers proposing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation should focus more on issues impacting average Americans.
“We are very insulated in the Northeast,” event organizer LaDiva Jonz told WPRI, “but some of our brothers and sisters around the rest of the country are not as lucky.”
At press time, the event had raised close to $6,000.
RI GOP lawmaker to Dem colleague: ‘Are you a pedophile?’
A State House hearing in late March, concerning the pros and cons of requiring an equity impact statement before lawmakers vote on any piece of legislation, took an unexpected turn.
During discussion of Rep. Rebecca Kislak’s bill H 5763, which would require that lawmakers consider the impact of their bills on people of different races, religions and sexual orientations, Rep. Robert Quattrocchi asked “… do I have to take into account, with ‘sexual orientation,’ how it affects pedophiles in Rhode Island…?”
“Pedophile is not a sexual orientation,” Kislak responded, adding “That was really offensive.”
“… Are you a pedophile? I’m sorry,” responded Quattrocchi to Kislak, a Providence Democrat and an out lesbian.
GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) Executive Director Janson Wu weighed in on the incident, drawing a parallel between Quattrocchi’s comments and other fear tactics such as referring to LGBTQ people as so-called groomers.
Numerous other community organizations released statements too, including Youth Pride, Inc., Pride in Aging RI and the Womxn Project, among others. In a statement from Thundermist Health Center and signed by dozens of RI organizations, Chief of Staff Amanda Barney wrote, “There is a sweeping campaign of attacks across the country targeting LGBTQ people and especially transgender and non-binary young people. Now, a few Rhode Island legislators are attempting to bring these harmful and discriminatory bills to our State House.”
Protecting families
On March 31, the Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony in support of S 0121, a bill sponsored by Sen. Dawn Euer, that will streamline the process for confirmatory adoption and make it more accessible for LGBTQ+ parents to ensure security for their families through adoption. A companion bill, H 5226, was heard in the House Judiciary Committee earlier in the month.
GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) released a statement in favor of these bills, saying, “Threats to marriage equality raised in last June’s US Supreme Court Dobbs ruling combined with escalating anti-LGBTQ+ bills and state court rulings around the country have increased the urgency of updating Rhode Island’s confirmatory adoption process to ensure LGBTQ+ families have access to all options for securing their child-parent relationships.”
$10K Belichick Grant
The Providence Gay Flag Football League (PVDGFFL) has announced that it is one of 25 organizations to be awarded the 2023 Bill Belichick Foundation Grant, which ‘recognizes deserving athletic communities or organizations in need of financial support.’
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Bill Belichick Foundation for their support,” PVDGFFL ommissioner and Executive Director Chris Almonte told Go Local Prov. “This grant will ensure that players throughout Rhode Island and the surrounding area have a chance to fall in love with the game of football and build meaningful relationships.”
The grant was for $10,000.
Trans health conference
Rhode Island College is hosting this year’s Trans Health Conference Community Tracks, after a three-year hiatus, on May 20. The full-day gathering offers focused tracks for Behavioral Health, Medical, and Community.
The Community Track will offer free workshops on identity, community needs and resources, and building affirming spaces. Also offered will be a trans-exclusive sub-track.
This track is also seeking proposals from presenters who wish to develop and lead sessions.
Follow Rhode Island Trans Health Conference on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest updates, and send questions to queer.rhode.island@gmail.com.
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