This Just in from the Ocean State
Election season heats up
This year promises to be a lively one for Ocean State politics! Here are a couple of lesser posts, but with far-reaching implications for Rhode Island youth.
In one instance, Jeffrey LeBlanc, who is running for Smithfield School Committee, has achieved some notoriety by calling for several books written by LGBTQ+ and/or BIPOC authors to be banned from school libraries. He has also been vocal in opposition to supportive policies for transgender students.
Megan Reilly is running for a seat on the North Kingstown School Committee, with a similar agenda. Referring to some of the books in the school libraries as “pornography,” she points specifically to the book “Gender Queer,” which has been targeted during more than one school committee meeting in other states.
In contrast to these candidates, Cranston resident Giona Picheco is running for state representative. A veteran of the Navy, she served on a submarine and, having been promoted to manage the combat systems on the ship, she says “I had also gotten the confidence to accept and live as my authentic self—a woman—for the first time.”
Picheco has been involved in such areas as green energy, helping to establish a permanent diversity commission and common-sense gun safety measures at the State House.
Now, as a candidate in District 14, she has already earned endorsements from the Rhode Island Working Families Party, Planned Parenthood Votes! RI, Run for Something, VoteVets, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, LPAC, New Politics and Young Democrats of Cranston.
Of course, there are many LGBTQ candidates, as well as very supportive allies in the various races this year. For more information, visit the Rhode Island Queer Political Action Committee.
More: riqueerpac.com
Anti-LGBTQ training
The Rhode Island Family Institute recently sent State Senators Elaine Morgan, Anthony DeLuca and Jessica de la Cruz to the annual Statesmen Academy. The academy is run by the Family Policy Alliance (FPA), which is networked with Focus on the Family, Alliance Defending Freedom and the Family Research Council. Labeled anti-LGBTQ extremist groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center, the FPA trainings routinely include teachings on the pedophilia and grooming myths as well as opposition to drag performances and transgender people’s rights.
Gay Men’s Chorus goes to GALA
The Rhode Island Gay Men’s Chorus, under the direction of Kim Kuda, performed at the prestigious GALA Festival 2024 in Minneapolis on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
GALA Festival is the largest LGBTQIA+ choral event in the world, providing five days of performance, collaboration, workshops and social events.
RIGMC membership is open to members of the LGBTQIA+ family as well as to allies. Members are “united in believing that voices can be used to uplift, educate, entertain and ultimately … transform.”
Fortune feature
In its story, “50 Best Places to Live for Families,” Fortune Magazine reports that Providence was included for its access to excellent colleges, employment opportunities and burgeoning arts and nightlife scene.
In addition, Fortune says, “Providence hosts its own … Pride parade. It’s proud of its LGBTQ+ scene, which includes several gay bars including Mirabar, the third-oldest gay bar in the US.”
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