This Just in from the Ocean State
Youth Pride joins lawsuit
Amid concerns that the Trump administration is creating laws and restrictions that will plunge many thousands of Rhode Islanders into homelessness, a coalition came together in November to file a lawsuit in US District Court in Rhode Island. This broad coalition, including Youth Pride, Inc. (YPI), is seeking to stop the administration from creating unreasonable restrictions on funding for proven solutions to homelessness, with considerable help from the ACLU of RI.
In November, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development abruptly rescinded elements of the Continuum of Care Program, which has helped provide necessary resources to fund housing projects for Rhode Islanders for many years. YPI provides housing assistance to LGBTQ+ youth, a program that would end without this critical assistance.
Glass honored as peacemaker
On January 13, the Commission on Prejudice and Bias presents the Orodenker Peacemaker Award to Dr. Jodi Glass at a ceremony in the Governor’s State Room at the RI State House in Providence. The award is given in recognition of Rhode Islanders who are outstanding in their commitment to combating prejudice and violence in every form.
According to Commission coordinator Jen Stevens, Glass is “a strong advocate for many marginalized communities, whether she is singing in a feminist chorus, organizing Take Back the Night, testifying for LGBTQ+ civil rights, advocating for elders and racial equality, marching against poverty, or leading the movement for LGBTQ+ senior housing. She has served on many boards, like RI Pride, SAGE-RI (now Pride in Aging), and Aldersbridge Communities (senior housing). She seems to be everywhere all at once.”
Top honors for PVD
The city of Providence received special recognition in Human Rights Campaign Foundation released its 14th edition of the Municipal Equality Index:
“At a time when our LGBTQ+ neighbors across the nation are facing a resurgence of hateful rhetoric, hostility, and attacks on their freedom, Mayor Brett Smiley is proud to be prioritizing policies that ensure Providence remains a safe, welcoming, and inclusive city for all. …
“From bolstering support for individuals living with HIV or AIDs to ensuring City employees are guaranteed domestic partnership benefits, the City of Providence is taking meaningful action through inclusive municipal services and policies to protect our LGBTQ+ neighbors. When federal funding cuts threatened prevention work addressing substance use disparities among LGBTQ+ youth, Providence stepped up through its Department of Housing and Human Services to continue this important work in partnership with community providers. …
“As home to one of the nation’s largest and most vibrant Pride celebrations and New England’s only night Pride parade. Providence has become a national model protecting, advocating, and empowering individuals of every background.”
In addition to Providence’s perfect score, East Providence came in in at 72, Cranston 66, Newport and Pawtucket 65, Warwick 64, Kington 60 and Narragansett at 46.
McDermott’s run
Back in November, Matt McDermott, a former co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund Campaign board, ran for city council in Providence, Rhode Island.
While his votes came up short, his campaign was notable for reasons including endorsements from the RI Council 94, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees and the AFL-CIO.
World AIDS Day in RI
On December 1, a large group of Rhode Islanders came together to create commemorative events all day long, remembering those impacted by HIV/AIDS.
There was the Graceful Journey’s Breakfast, sponsored by AIDS Project RI. Then came a community block party, put on by AIDS Care Ocean State (ACOS). After that, a rally was held by the RI HIV & STI Prevention Coalition, and the day ended with a RISE UP afterparty at The Alley Cat.
In a theme reflected in all the day’s activities, ACOS deems it a day to “reflect, to remember, to educate, to offer support and to grow.”
