This Just in from the Ocean State
Equity Action Fund grants
The Equity Action Fund at the Rhode Island Foundation has announced the recipients of over $100K in 2024 grants, organizations that meet the needs of the LGBTQ communities in Rhode Island. Among the grantees were Haus of Codec, Newport Pride, Project Weber/RENEW, Pride in Aging, Options Magazine and many others.
“Thanks to the continuing generosity and commitment of donors to our Equity Action Fund, we 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.
The announcement comes as the Foundation has released a multi-year research project on the experiences of LGBTQ communities in Rhode Island, which includes a set of priorities for the future. “LGBTQ+ Voices in RI” features oral interview recordings and a timeline of significant LGBTQ+ milestones.
rifoundation.org/grant/equity-action-grants
A joint statement
A new policy has gone into effect at the US Capital, imposed by Speaker Mike Johnson and supported by Reps Nancy Mace and Marjorie Taylor Greene, banning transgender people from using restrooms aligned with their gender identity.
In a joint statement, US Reps. from RI Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo assert: “Millions of people, including countless transgender individuals, come through the Capitol every year, and there has never been any controversy…. We hope they will stop playing games and join those of us focused on lowering costs, growing the economy, and delivering real results for our constituents.”
Also noteworthy: Representative Amo was a co-sponsor of a resolution commemorating the Trans Day of Remembrance.
RI Kids-Count report
Rhode Island Kids Count has released a report that finds many Ocean State adolescents and teens struggle with mental health concerns — especially young people of color and LGBTQ youth. In 2023, suicide attempt rates were highest among transgender students (36 percent), with LGBT and questioning above 10 percent. The suicide attempt rates for heterosexual students was 6 percent.
“…What we need is people that will believe in us and that will understand where we’re coming from,” says a student quoted in the report.
The Kids Count report includes a page of recommendations, including ensuring students’ privacy when it comes to their gender identity and increasing resources for school mental health professionals.
The report also suggests diversifying workforces so that “youth can have mental health professionals that look like them, speak their language and understand their identities and experiences.”
More: rikidscount.org
Circle of Pride
Good news for LGBT elders! The Circle of Pride is a part of The Village Common of Rhode Island, a community organization that supports older Rhode Islanders who wish to stay in their homes.
Circle of Pride volunteers provide assistance to Village Common members who identify as part of the LGBT community. There are Village Common chapters in numerous communities around Rhode Island, each having a Circle of Pride Ambassador, and they are all accepting new members and new volunteers.
More: villagecommonri.org
HRC Congressional Scorecard
The Human Rights Campaign in October released its Congressional Scorecard, which measures support for LGBTQ+ equality in the 118th US Congress. Once again, Senators and US Representatives from New England earned a near-perfect score.
Scores are based on an assessment of each Senator’s and Representative’s votes on key LGBTQ+ issues as well as their support for (or lack therefore of) LGBTQ+ communities.
Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, both Democrats, earned perfect 100s. Democratic Congressman Seth Magaziner also received a perfect score. (US Rep. Gabe Amo, a Democrat sworn in on June 25 to fill a vacancy, was not in office long enough to be scored this year.)
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