This Just in from the Ocean State
Amo wins
Democrat Gabe Amo, an LGBTQ+ ally and the first person of color to represent Rhode Island in Congress, won a statewide special election to take the seat of the openly gay and former chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus David Cicilline.
Amo has been vocal about continuing the work of his predecessor. In a statement, he said, “I will be a tireless ally for the LGBTQ+ community in Rhode Island and across the country. The attacks on the queer community by Republicans in Congress and in state legislatures around the United States are reprehensible. Ensuring the inclusion and safety of all is something that is incumbent upon all of us.”
Thriving health care
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island has announced that two of Thrive Behavioral Health’s program locations—Hillsgrove Clubhouse and Health Lane —have achieved a Blue Cross LGBTQ Safe Zone designation. Requirements for the designation include staff training specific to the care of LGBTQ clients, protections for staff and clients from discrimination based on gender identity or expression, gender-neutral bathrooms, inclusive forms and procedures, as well as a public commitment to connecting with and serving the LGBTQ community.
LGBTQ grantees
Fifteen nonprofit organizations serving the state’s LGBTQ communities will share nearly $90,000 in funds from The Rhode Island Foundation’s Equity Action Fund. The money will support everything from civil rights advocacy for families and youth to improving the delivery of health care.
“We are proud to have the resources to support work that helps every Rhode Islander feel safe and embraced being their authentic selves,” said David N. Cicilline, the Foundation’s president and CEO. “Thanks to the continuing generosity and commitment of donors to our Equity Action Fund, the Foundation has been able to provide uninterrupted grant support to organizations on the front lines of advocacy, youth services and health for nearly 20 years.”
Grantees include The Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England, Haus of Codec and others, including Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre, which received $2,500 to support its free theater classes for LGBTQ+ youth, primarily age 13 to 18.
Celebrating trans history
In addition to many events commemorating the Transgender Day of Remembrance on and around Nov. 18, Providence Public Library and Thundermist Health Center came together for an afternoon celebrating trans lives with an LGBTQIA+ pop-up marketplace and resource fair with Haus of Codec, followed by a screening of Framing Agnes and a panel discussion with historian Jules Gill-Peterson, local trans scholar Elijah Edelman, and trans activist and community leader Jesinya Sousa.
World AIDS Day
Rhode Islanders came out in numbers on December 1 for World AIDS Day, an annual event since 1988, dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. The day began with a memorial breakfast sponsored by AIDS Project RI. Next up was a Community Block Party, themed “Know your Status.” Sponsored by AIDS Care Ocean State, it featured lots of giveaways, anonymous HIV/HCV testing, lunch, educational information, and all of it free. The evening reception was hosted by Sojourner House, and included refreshments, celebration, discussion & wrap-up of the day’s events.
Anti-trans rally a bust
The event, called the Protect the Children Rally and scheduled for four hours on November 5, saw fewer than 10 people in attendance. Plans were to include demonstrations against drag and trans story times, the indoctrination and grooming of children and critical race theory. In the end, none of the advertised speakers appeared.
The counter-protestors, however, outnumbered the protestors almost 10-to-1, standing a respectful distance from the rally goers, and carrying posters reading ‘Hate has no home here’ and ‘Trans Youth Belong,’ among others.
HRC Municipal Equality Index
For the sixth consecutive year, scores increased across the United States on Human Rights Campaign’s 12th annual Municipal Equality Index, and New England communities were once again at the forefront.
On a scale of 0–100, the Index measures how inclusive municipal laws, policies and services are for LGBTQ+ people who live and work in select municipalities of various sizes within each state. In Rhode Island, Providence scored 100. Newport earned 79, East Providence 73, Warwick 72, Cranston 65, Pawtucket 64, Kingston 58 and Narragansett 52.
More: hrc.org
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