This Just in from the Ocean State

Zoom for equality

In early June, US Congressman David Cicilline joined a panel discussion via Zoom on the Equality Act. His fellow panelists included Janson Wu, executive director of GLAD (GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders), and Bob O’Neil, a member of SAGE Rhode Island, which co-sponsored the event with GLAD and COLAGE, the national organization for people with one or more queer parents. Michaela Santisi, a member of COLAGE’s Youth Action Board, acted as moderator.

The panel explained how the Equality Act began as an effort to prohibit discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation or gender identity, with the Equality Caucus eventually borrowing the language of the Civil Rights Act, simply adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the protected classes already listed there. . “It was really the only way to achieve full equality and to benefit from the power of the Civil Rights laws,” Cicilline said.

Initially there was some concern about using the Civil Rights Act’s language, which was considered “a sacrosanct, sacred text,” said Cicilline. But, thanks in large part to the leadership of Congressman John Lewis, who garnered support from the Judicial Black Caucus, the bill was eventually co-sponsored by every Democrat in the House, and it passed.

Wu noted that, although LGBTQ Rhode Islanders are already protected from discrimination under state law, “there are some areas that aren’t covered by state law, which present critical gaps. In addition, federal law can be more powerful than state law, so full protection under the Equality Act would clearly benefit Rhode Islanders.” 

O’Neil spoke of a time before the RI Civil Rights Bill was passed, when “you could lose your job or your housing, just because you were LGBT.” Even now, he added, there are some exceptions to the existing RI law, loopholes about which efforts are being made to remedy. Despite the work of a dedicated group of activists, however, these amendments have not moved from committee.

 “The LGBT community has never been given our rights,” said Wu. “We’ve always had to fight for them. However, when we fight for them, we win.” Advocates are up against those who use such fear tactics as the trampling of religious freedom, or the end of equality in girl’s and women’s athletics. This last example, said Cicilline, is particularly disgraceful, as it takes advantage of those probably most in need of this legislation—transgender people—as a reason to oppose it. 

Recent polls have shown that a majority in this country are in favor of equal rights for LGBT Americans. “Hearts and minds are with us,” Wu said in closing, “but for many, this is not their main issue. We need people to care so strongly, that this is the deciding factor when they cast their vote.”

The bill must now be passed in the Senate, but, as Cicilline said, “There is no doubt that we will live in a country that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The only question is how quickly we will get there.”

Lesbian archive

Rhode Islander Mev Miller has received a grant from the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities for her new project: Wanderground: Archiving Lesbian Legacies, Words and Creativity in Rhode Island. 

Lesbians who live or have lived or worked in Rhode Island are invited to reply to a survey to share their ideas and experiences. ALL responses are anonymous.

English Version: surveymonkey.com/r/Wanderground

Spanish Version: surveymonkey.com/r/Wanderground-Spanish

More: wanderground.org

Honoring our elders

On May 16, SouthCoast LGBTQ+ Network celebrated Honor Our LGBT Elders Day, recognizing members of the LGBTQ+ community who have paved the way for access and social acceptance. It was also, however, a day to bring visibility to the reality of those elders who struggle to be accepted for their orientation and identity.

“A lot of it has to do with the fact that the LGBTQ+ individuals are invisible, especially older adults,” the Network’s marketing director Kerry Zeida told South Coast Today.

“Even trying to define the population and get good data on it is really difficult. Older LGBTQ people are just afraid to self-identify,” he said. The SouthCoast LGBTQ+ Network focuses on three major areas: LGBTQ+ youth/homelessness, the transgender community and LGBTQ+ elders.

More: sclgbtqnetwork.org

Options goes digital

Options, the magazine of record for LGBTQ Rhode Islanders, is making the move to an online platform after having been in print since 1982. In an effort to connect with readers during this transition, they have created a reader’s survey. In addition, they are looking for volunteers to serve on various committees.  [x]

More: optionsri.org

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