Options Magazine-April 2016

options April 2016

LGBTQ

POLITICAL POWER

Community Safety Act

Vote for President Protest at Mount St. Charles

Rhode Island’s LGBTQ Community Magazine Since 1982 - FREE

options

In This Issue:

Rhode Island’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community news source since 1982.

April 2016, Vol. XXXIV, Issue 12

Protest for Trans Acceptance at Mount St. Charles Academy p. 14

Paul Fitzgerald Retires from ACOS p. 12

4 From the Editor 5 Letter to the Editor 6 From the Publisher 6 Advertisers 8 Calendar 10 News Briefs

Out on the Town: Goddess Show p. 20

Worth a Look: Gaycation p. 38

18 Pride XL: Progress, Celebrate, Excel 20 Out on the Town 22 Providence Community Safety Act 25 Trans* Health Successes 26 Voting for President 28 News from SAGE-RI

12 ACOS’ Paul Fitzgerald Retires 29 Youth Pride Inc. 14 Protest at Mount St. Charles 30 Resources 16 Divas, Drinks & Dessert 37 Classifieds 17 Fresh Start for RI Women’s Assoc. 38 Worth a Look

Home delivery is free! Subscribe at www.optionsri.org, email frank@optionsri.org, or write to us at our PO Box. © OPTIONS 2016. Options is published monthly. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the volunteers or staff. Listings are provided as a resource and do not imply endorsement.

Submissions to Options must include a phone number or email address. Names may be withheld on request. Submissions, ads, calendar, or resource listings for the May 2016 issue must be delivered by April 15.

Options | April 2016

Publisher Kyle McKendall kyle@optionsri.org Editor in Chief Jen Stevens editor@optionsri.org Resources Editor Myra Shays Copy Editors Julia Barber, Rex LeBeau, Christine Pavao, Maria Phillips, Myra Shays Graphic Design Theresa “Reese” Barzyk Contributors Lisa Abreau, Steve Ahlquist, Kurt Bagley, Christion Battey, Adam Brooks, Lit Chick, Christopher Dalpe, Jesse DeRita, Davide Gnoato, August Guang, Alexis Hall, Sally Ann Hay, Ethan Huckel Photographers Jen Bonin, Steve Ahlquist, Paul E. Martin Finance Director Donny McKendall billing@optionsri.org Subscription Manager Francis Ryan frank@optionsri.org Distribution distribution@optionsri.org Advertising advertising@optionsri.org

Contact Us info@optionsri.org PO Box 6406 Providence, RI 02940 (401) 724-LGBT www.optionsri.org Cover: STEP UP Coalition advocates for the Community Safety Act. Photo by Jen Bonin.

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From the Editor Dear Reader,

You can find LGBTQ people demonstrating their political power everywhere you turn. In this issue, we’re pleased to present several stories about local people coming out in force to make real change.

I’ll bet the board members at Mount St. Charles Academy (MSCA) in Woonsocket never dreamed they’d be making headlines when they approved a policy banning transgender students. MSCA alumni reacted with a petition against the policy, and the word spread. Local community members organized a protest outside the school. Within days the policy was reversed.

It almost seems easy, until you realize the decades of struggle necessary to make campaigns for LGBTQ civil rights like this effective. There’s more to the story, and we’re proud to present acclaimed writer Steve Ahlquist’s article and photos (p.14).

The STEP UP Coalition, comprised of several community groups, came together to combat profiling by the Providence police force. They created the Providence Community Safety Act, a pending city ordinance that, among other things, would require more documentation of police surveillance and citizen stops to ensure these encounters are not motivated by race, ethnicity, age, sexual identity, or gender. PrYSM – whose members are primarily young, queer, and Southeast Asian – are a driving force within the coalition and we are grateful to see them becoming more frequent Options contributors (p. 22).

Two nonprofit leaders left their posts last month. Kerri Kanelos, executive director ofYouth Pride Inc., saw the organization through a location change that spurred a rise in participation so that more youth than ever are able to access the organization’s critical services. The search is on for its next leader (p. 11). AIDS Care Ocean State President/CEO and resident rabble-rouser Paul Fitzgerald is retiring after 29 years of dedicated service. Take a moment to consider all of the struggle and change that man has witnessed (p.12).

LGBTQ communities have demonstrated our political power through decades of petitioning, protesting, organizing, strategizing, coalition building, and engaging the political system; and we’re still at it. But perhaps simultaneously the least radical, most personal, and most effective tool for change we have is the vote. Writer Jesse DeRita tackled the topic of LGBTQ issues in the national presidential race. Don’t miss his summary of where the remaining candidates stand (p. 26), and remember to exercise your right to vote on April 26 in the presidential primary.You don’t always have to shout into a bullhorn, chain yourself to a building, or produce the next viral message on social media to demonstrate political power.The trick is not to surrender it.

Rev. Alyson C. Arnold Interfaith Minister Secular & Multi-faith

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In solidarity, Jen Stevens We want to hear from you. Send letters to editor@optionsri.org.

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Options | April 2016

Letter to the

A

Editor

dozen readings and four dictionaries later, my head is still spinning from trying to decipher exactly what is being said in those two letters last month objecting to the definition in Options’ glossary for the term bisexual. And after being told by one writer that “it is important to understand” and “it’s really important for people to understand,” I’m afraid that I come out of the whole ordeal with far less understanding than I had when I began.

The term bisexual, formed by joining the prefix bi (meaning two), with the word sexual, is, it appears to me, by that very definition, self-explanatory (and was correctly defined in Options’ glossary). To appropriate this perfectly good word and stretch it completely out of meaning and usefulness, no matter how “inclusive” [the authors’] intentions, does a disservice not only to the language, but to the very cause they are championing.

How these folks “prefer to define” themselves, of course, is their business, but it displays a certain degree of arrogance to appropriate perfectly good words for their own agendas and expect the rest of us to follow their instructions as to how these words are now to be defined.

Options | April 2016

If these folks wish to use the term bisexual as an “umbrella” term for pansexual, queer, and intersex, terms with which, by their suggestion, bisexual is now interchangeable, then what real meaning can any of these terms possibly have? If my description of bisexuality is exactly the same as someone else’s description of pansexuality, of what real use are either of these terms? Yes, language may be fluid and ever-evolving, but not from minute to minute, or sentence to sentence.

Please! This is nonsense.This is chaos.This is Babel! I write these comments knowing full well how quickly they may be dismissed as those of a doddering old dinosaur. (Disclosure: My coming out was the same year as Stonewall.) But it seems to me that if the mission of the Bisexual Resource Center or the Boston Bisexual Women’s Network is really to further the betterment of their particular segments of the population through education and advocacy, they might do better than to complicate matters by making such a useless jumble out of the vocabulary.

Options, you got it right the first time.Thank you.

- Craig Johnson, Cumberland q

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Advertisers in This Issue

From the Publisher Dear Reader, Last month I was reminded of the impact that Options continues to have on LGBTQ community members and their families. After calling a game at AIDS Care Ocean State’s Drag Bingo, an event that we proudly sponsor, a woman inquired about a subscription for her son. After listening to her son’s experience coming out, and her interest in providing him with more information about our community, I proudly guided her through the latest issue of Options.

He’s an aspiring artist finishing his senior year of high school, and while we haven’t met, his story is one that I, and many of our readers, can relate to. I encouraged his mom to visit a PFLAG meeting, a support group for parents and friends of lesbians and gays, and opened the door to Options if he or she had any interest in volunteering.

It’s easy to assume that all of your friends and acquaintances know about Options, but the unfortunate truth is that not everyone is familiar with the magazine despite our upcoming 34th anniversary in print. I challenge you to make the month of April a time when you give back to Options by helping us grow our readership. Can you find a friend who isn’t receiving Options, and encourage them to sign up for a free subscription? New subscribers should visit our website to submit their mailing addresses in an easy one-step process. With your help, we can make April one of our strongest subscription drives yet, and get Options into the hands of more people who need it, like my friend from bingo.

Often, people are shocked to learn that a subscription to Options is free.While we do accept and encourage donations, we are pleased to offer this community publication at no cost to readers. Given that we rely mostly on advertising income to be able to produce the publication, please be sure to patronize the advertisers you see in each issue.

With advertising in mind, I ask you to think about business owners you know and encourage them to support the community while growing their customer base by advertising in Options. Our June 2016 issue will again be the official guide to PrideFest and the Illuminated Night Parade. We’re pleased to offer an array of sizes to meet the needs of various organizations and are happy to extend a discount to registered nonprofits with prices as low as $90. Visit www.optionsri.org to reserve you spot today. Don’t miss your chance to advertise in what will be the largest issue of Options ever printed!

With your support and enthusiasm we will raise awareness about all that Options has to offer, and impact the lives of even more people, including other high school seniors who are coming out and seeking a community.

Onward, Kyle McKendall

Mulholland Financial LLC Serving Southern New England

Helping you grow your financial future.

Todd and Holly Mulholland (401)463-1339 | mulhollandfinancialLLC@gmail.com Securities offered through MML Investors Services, LLC

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ACOS: Drag Bingo.......................................................................24 ACOS: King of Queens............................................................... 2 ACOS: Know Your Status.........................................................25 AIDS Project RI: Divas, Drinks & Dessert......................19 AMC Permanent Cosmetics.................................................... 6 Anthony’s Jewelers.......................................................................13 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island...........................13 Bob DaRocha Realtor................................................................17 Born This Way Prom..................................................................... 7 City Kitty............................................................................................37 Classic Flute Duos........................................................................37 Contemporary Ceremonies.................................................... 4 Cruise Planners................................................................................ 5 Green Care Landscaping, Inc..................................................17 Gregory’s Optical.........................................................................24 Insperiors Inspired Interiors....................................................24 Jennifer A. Minuto, Attorney...................................................37 Jeannie Connors Realtor..........................................................16 JDHS Photos...................................................................................16 John D. DaPonte, Mental Health Counselor.................37 Melissa DaSilva, Om Therapy.................................................24 McIntyre & Tate LLP....................................................................24 Michael O’Mara, Mental Health Counselor...................25 Mister Sister Erotica....................................................................24 Mulholland Financial...................................................................... 6 Neighborhood Health Plan of RI.........................................29 Plumbing by Paul...........................................................................18 Providence Community Acupuncture..............................28 Providence Gay Men’s Chorus.............................................23 PPAC Presents Diana Ross.....................................................27 PSJ Productions................................................................................ 4 Residential Properties................................................................23 Rooftop at the Providence G................................................11 SERVPRO..........................................................................................15 The Stable.........................................................................................28 The Village.........................................................................................39 Whole Foods Market.................................................................40

AMC Permanent Cosmetics & Wellness -Permanent Make-Up -Hair Simulation for hair loss -Areola Repigmentation -Scar Relaxation -Tattoo Removal 471 Atwood Avenue Cranston, RI 401.944.3242

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Options | April 2016

Born This Way Prom April 29th, 2016

Newport Beach rotunda & Carousel Free to all lGBtQ HiGH ScHool StudentS and tHeir allieS donations accepted at the door to benefit Youth Pride inc. & interweave.

For more info: interweave@channingchurch.org

Presented by:

CALENDAR OF EVENTS APRIL

Sat. 2 RI Women’s Association fundraiser, 6-11pm. Indigo Lounge, 599 Tiogue Avenue, Coventry. All-you-can-eat pizza until 8:30pm, then all-female band Midnight Honey performs. $10 admission.

Sun. 3 Options Magazine Release Party, 3-6pm. The Stable, 125 Washington Street, Providence. Join us for the release of the April issue.Volunteers needed for distribution.

Wed. 6 Rhode Island Pride Events Committee Meeting, 7pm. 1055 Westminster Street, Providence, Floor 2. A meeting to plan upcoming Pride events such as the Triple Crown Pageant and RI PrideFest. All are welcome. For more info, www.prideri.com or 467-2130.

Sun. 10 20th Annual RI Pride Triple Crown Pageant: Wonderland, 7-10:30pm. The Colosseum, 150 Pine Street, Providence.

Contestants compete for the title of Mr. Gay, Ms. Lesbian, Miss Gay, Mr./Ms. Bisexual, and Mr./ Ms. Trans RI 2016. VIP tables and advanced tickets ($20) available at www.prideri.com.

Thu. 14 Divas, Drinks and Dessert to celebrate Diana Ross’ In the Name of Love Tour, 6pm.This AIDS Project Rhode Island benefit includes tickets to the Diana Ross concert at PPAC (7:30pm), pre-show cocktails (6pm) and an after-party at the Providence G hosted by Mr. Gay RI 2015 Richie DeFilippo with “Diana” and friends. Tickets range in price and can be purchased at tinyurl.com/apridianaross. For more info, call 831-5522.

Fri. 8 SAGE-RI presents Life at the Intersections: Working with Older LGBT Adults, 8am-noon.

Conference for health care professionals.

Social work CEUs provided. Register for limited seats at www.sage-ri.org. Cost per attendee is $75.

RHODE ISLAND PRIDE PRESENTS

THE 2016 TRIPLE CROWN PAGEANT

WonderLand SUNDAY APRIL 10 2016

THE COLOSSEUM

180 Pine Street, Providence, RI 02903 Doors open at 6:00pm • Pageant begins at 7:00pm

ADVANCED TICKETS $20 TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR $25 LIMITED VIP BOOTHS AVAILABLE WWW.PRIDERI.COM

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Fri. 15 Imperial Court of RI Coronation: Out of Town Show, 9pm. The Dark Lady, 17 Snow Street, Providence. $10.

Sat. 16 Imperial Court of RI Coronation Ball XXIV: The Glamorous Life - Back to Broadway with special guest Nicole the Great, Queen Mother of the Americas, 6pm cocktails, 7pm dinner and show. Grand Ballroom, Biltmore Hotel, 11 Dorrance Street, Providence, $125 tickets available at Eventbrite.com.

Sat. 9 Concordia Coffeehouse presents Americana folk artist Joanne Lurgio, 8-10pm.

Concordia Center for Spiritual Living, 292 West Shore Road, Warwick. $8. Doors 7:30pm. Alcohol-free event.

Sun. 10 RI Prime Timers, 4:30-7pm. Social, dinner, and networking group for older gay and bi men on second Sundays. For more info, www.riprimetimers.org or call Steve at 9963010.

in which thousands take a vow of silence to bring attention to anti-LGBTQ bullying and harassment. No cost. For more info, www. youthprideri.org.

Sun. 17 Imperial Court of RI Coronation Weekend: Victory Brunch, 10:30am. Grand Ballroom, Biltmore Hotel, 11 Dorrance Street, Providence, $35.

Thu. 14 Sweet Little Variety Show, 8pm.

Aurora, 276 Westminster Street, Providence. A queer-produced potpourri of entertainment.

Featuring Cardboard Ox: music by Steve Allain & Tracie Potochnik, Bettysioux Tailor’s Boa Girls, comedian Maceo Johnson, Hair Deux Oh!, and an episode of Ups and Downs: Adventures of the Knight Skye Detective Agency. $7. Find Sweet Little Variety Show on Facebook and at www.sweetlittlevarietyshow.com.

Fri. 15 SAGE LGBT Café, noon-2pm. Church of the Transfiguration, 1665 Broad Street, Cranston. A delicious, low-cost lunch in a gay-friendly setting sponsored by Meals on Wheels, the Department of Elderly Affairs, and SAGE-RI. Programming after lunch. A $3 donation is suggested from LGBT people 60+ and people with disabilities; a $6 donation is suggested from all others. Reservations required: Call Pauline at 351-6700.

Fri. 15 Breaking the Silence Open Mic, 4pm.

Youth Pride Inc, 743 Westminster Street, Providence. This event supports the national Day of Silence, a national student-driven event

Sun. 17 Women’s Health & Education Fund Annual Bowlathon, 3-6pm. Town Hall Lanes, Johnston. For more info, www.whefri.org.

Tue. 19 Flatbread Company donating a portion of their proceeds (from eat-in, take-out, or delivery) to RI Pride and the RI LGBTQ Center from 5-9pm. 161 Cushing Street, Providence.

Wed. 20 Queer Book Club, 7-9:30pm. Books on the Square, 471 Angell Street, Providence.

Reading: The Daylight Gate by Jeannette Winterson. Discount if book is purchased at Books on the Square. For more info, email queerbookclub@gmail.com.

Thu. 21 Drag Bingo: Spring Bonnet Bingo, 6-9pm. Riviera Bingo Palace, 1612 Elmwood Avenue, Cranston. $20 gets you in all games with over $2000 in cash and prizes awarded monthly. Hosted by Haley Star and LaDiva Jonz.

All funds raised benefit AIDS Care Ocean State and AIDS Project RI. Sat. 23 RIWomen’s Association Dance,7-11pm.

Slater Mill, 67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket.

BYOB. $12 single dance membership/$35 year membership includes all dances.

Options | April 2016

Wed. 27 Rhode Island Pride Open House, 7pm. 1055 Westminster Street, Providence, Floor 2. Social gathering and discussion of community events and opportunities for involvement. All are welcome. For more info, www.prideri.com or 467-2130.

Thu. 28 CCRI’s Gender Equity Initiative presents Justin Utley, 7pm. Lower Commons at the CCRI Knight Campus, 400 East Avenue, Warwick. This acclaimed singer/songwriter speaks about being gay within the Mormon culture in Utah. Free and open to the public.

Refreshments served.

Fri. 29 Born This Way Prom presented by Channing Memorial Church Interweave, 6:30-11pm. Newport Beach Rotunda and Carousel, 175 Memorial Boulevard, Newport.

Free to all RI high school students and their allies. Donations accepted to benefit Youth Pride Inc. and Interweave. For more info, interweave@channingchurch.org.

MAY

Sun. 1 Options Magazine Release Party, 3-6pm. The Stable, 125 Washington Street, Providence. Join us for the release of the May issue.Volunteers needed for distribution.

Street, Providence, Floor 2. A meeting to plan the upcoming PrideFest. All are welcome. For more info, www.prideri.com or 467-2130.

Fri. 6 Leah Dubie, 8pm. The Village, 373 Richmond Street, Providence. Dubie was named one of the hottest queer women in comedy by AfterEllen.com, called “smart and opinionated” by Time Out New York, and found to be “a little fresh” by her mom. $10.

Reservations can be made at www.thevillageri. com or 228-7222.

Sat. 7 Concordia Coffeehouse presents jazz, rhythm & blues artist Kim Trusty, 8-10pm.

Concordia Center for Spiritual Living, 292 West Shore Road, Warwick. $8. Doors 7:30pm.

Alcohol-free event.

Sun. 8 RI Prime Timers, 4:30-7pm. Social, dinner, and networking group for older gay and bi men on second Sundays. For more info, www. riprimetimers.org or call Steve at 996-3010.

Thu. 12 Sweet Little Variety Show, 8pm.

Aurora, 276 Westminster Street, Providence.

Queer-produced potpourri of entertainment featuring musician Lara Herscovitch, comedian Reece Cotton, Bernard Morton playing theremin, sketch comedy with Erin Olson and Steven Dionne, and more. $7. Find Sweet Little Variety Show on Facebook and at www. sweetlittlevarietyshow.com.

Sat. 14 SAGE RI Gala: Put a Little Silver in Your Rainbow, 7-10pm. Warwick Art Museum, 3259 Post Road, Warwick. Drinks, dessert, hors d’oeuvres, dancing, silent auction, and art.

Find tix at www.eventbrite.com.

Sat. 14 Jodi Jolt & The Volt, 9pm. Fran’s Place, 776 Washington Street, Lynn, MA.

Sun. 1 King of Queens, 6pm doors/7pm show.

The Colosseum, 180 Pine Street, Providence.

People who have never done drag before are paired with a drag queen as they compete for the title of King of Queens. $15 at the door to benefit AIDS Care Ocean State.

Wed. 18 Queer Book Club, 7-9:30pm. Books on the Square, 471 Angell Street, Providence.

Reading: The City and the Pillar by Gore Vidal.

Discount if book is purchased at Books on the Square. For more info, email queerbookclub@ gmail.com.

Wed. 4 Community dialogue with the RI Commission on Prejudice and Bias in cooperation with RWU School of Justice Studies, 9am-noon. Baypoint Inn & Conference Center, 144 Anthony Road, Portsmouth. A conversation on cultivating authentic community between public safety personnel and communities of color. Contact jlglass53@gmail.com for info or to RSVP.

Wed. 18 Dyke Night, 8pm-1am. Aurora, 276 Westminster Street, Providence. DJ dance party for dykes and their friends. Donations accepted at the door.

Wed. 4 Rhode Island Pride Events Committee Meeting, 7pm. 1055 Westminster

Options | April 2016

Thu. 19 Drag Bingo: White Party, 6-9pm.

Riviera Bingo Palace, 1612 Elmwood Avenue, Cranston. $20 gets you in all games with over $2000 in cash and prizes awarded monthly.

Hosted by Haley Star and LaDiva Jonz. All funds raised benefit AIDS Care Ocean State and AIDS Project RI.

Thu. 19 Providence Gay Men’s Chorus 20th Anniversary Celebration, 7pm. Providence Public Library. $25. For more info, www. provgmc.org.

Fri. 20 SAGE LGBT Café, noon-2pm. Church of the Transfiguration, 1665 Broad Street, Cranston. A delicious, low-cost lunch in a gay-friendly setting sponsored by Meals on Wheels, the Department of Elderly Affairs, and SAGE-RI. Programming after lunch. A $3 donation is suggested for LGBT people 60+ and people with disabilities; a $6 donation is suggested for all others. Reservations required: Call Pauline at 351-6700.

Sat. 21 & Sun. 22 Providence Gay Men’s Chorus 20th Anniversary Celebration, Sat. 7pm, Sun. 4pm. Greenwich Odeum Theatre, 59 Main St, East Greenwich. $25. For more info, www.provgmc.org.

Wed. 25 Rhode Island Pride Open House, 7pm. 1055 Westminster Street, Providence, Floor 2. Social gathering and discussion of community events and opportunities for involvement. All are welcome. For more info, www.prideri.com or 467-2130.

Sun. 29 Options Magazine Release Party, 3-6pm. The Stable, 125 Washington Street, Providence. Join us for the release of the June issue, the official RI Pride Guide. Volunteers needed for distribution.

Regularly Scheduled Support Groups: ACOS (HIV/AIDS): youth,Tue. 4pm/gay males, Wed. 1:30pm LGBT Alcoholics Anonymous: Tue. 7pm PFLAG (parents, friends, allies): 1st & 3rd Wed. 6:45pm TGI Network (trans): 1st & 3rd Tue. 7pm/Sat. 1pm TransFamily New England: 2nd Mon. 6:30pm YPI (youth): Way Out,Thu. 4pm/Gender Spectrum,Tue. 4pm/youth 13 and under:Thu. 5pm See Resources on page 30 for more info.

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News Briefs by Adam Brooks

Transgender Policy Goes to Cumberland School Board A new policy for transgender students is being reviewed by the school board in Cumberland,where approval is anticipated.

The policy, entitled J-23, was written and rewritten by Rachel Santa, the district’s Director of Special Education, with the input and guidance of other schools and educators. The policy addresses several large issues and, at the forefront, mandates that teachers and faculty call students by their preferred name and address them using appropriate pronouns, as opposed to the current policy of using students’ legal birth names. An official definition of trans individuals was laid out in the policy as “a person whose gender identity or expression is different from that traditionally associated with an assigned sex at birth.” This broader definition will allow the new policy to apply to all members of the trans community, including students who are gender-fluid or gender-nonconforming. While many revisions were made to J-23, the final draft submitted to the school committee was devoid of all references to age in order to extend the rights to students in any grade regardless of parental permission.

The policy also states that a court order isn’t needed in order for a student’s name on a school document to be changed.

One stipulation that has caused much discussion in this new policy is the right for students to use the bathroom that corresponds with the gender with which they identify. However, according to several educators and faculty who spoke with the Cumberland subcommittee, there hasn’t been a problem in any school that has been surveyed about their transgender policies, as the kids are generally more accepting than the adults with these types of changes. There will also be designated bathrooms and changing facilities that are separated from the public ones for those who are uncomfortable with the public options. In addition to the mandates regarding preferred names and bathroom/locker room preference, J-23

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also asks that schools do their best to avoid unnecessary gender-based programming in their lessons. The policy also reiterated the RI Interscholastic Athletic Rules and Regulations’ stance on allowing students to participate in physical education classes and in sports in a way that corresponds with their gender identity. Parents and students will be given copies of the policy before it goes into full effect. Schools across Cumberland are already planning to hold workshops for parents to answer any questions, and teachers will attend professional development meetings in order to prepare for the changes.

Missouri Senate Passes “Religious Freedom Bill” After a 39-hour filibuster and in spite of Democrats’ objections, the Missouri Senate passed a measure that its supporters are touting as a religious freedom bill. The chamber’s Republicans used a tactic deemed rule-breaking by the Senate’s Democrats in order to end the filibuster on the legislation and pass Senate Joint Resolution 39 (SR-39).

If the resolution is supported by state voters, Missouri’s constitution will change to include the “protection of certain religious organizations and individuals from being penalized by the state because of their sincere religious beliefs or practices concerning marriages between two persons of the same sex.” The bill also broadens the definition of what is considered a religious organization. A large number of corporations, preschools, high schools, colleges, and charities would fall under the potential law’s umbrella of being considered religious organizations, which would allow LGBT couples to be denied social services, employment, education, and more. The amendment would also supersede any local laws that ban discrimination against LGBT citizens. “This bill is a direct hit on those individuals who decide to love and be in love with the same sex, and that’s not fair,” said Senator Jamilah Nasheed, one of the eight Democratic state senators who led the unsuccessful filibuster to stop the bill from passing. If the legislation passes in the House of Representatives, Missouri residents would have the final say. A majority of voters must approve SR-39 in a statewide vote for the language to be added to the state constitution. In a letter to the Missouri General Assembly signed

by hundreds of businesses, and numerous faith leaders, organizations, and mayors, the American Civil Liberties Union, and local advocacy group PROMO, said that this legislation, if added to the constitution, will do nothing but “succeed in showing people Missouri is not a welcoming state.”

South Dakota Vetoes Anti-Trans Bathroom Law In a huge step in the right direction for the protection of transgender youth, South Dakota Republican Governor Dennis Daugaard vetoed legislation last month that would have banned trans public school students from using the restrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identities. Passed in the state Senate last month, the bill marked the first instance of American lawmakers attempting to force children to use school facilities based on the gender they were assigned at birth. The bill cited “the physical condition of being male or female as determined by a person’s chromosomes and anatomy as identified at birth” as the deciding factor in which bathroom a person is allowed to use.

Daugaard had previously stated that the bill sounded like a good idea and had no plans to speak with any trans individuals prior to deciding whether or not to sign.

His veto was somewhat unexpected.

“If and when these rare situations arise, I believe local school officials are best positioned to address them,” he wrote in a statement accompanying his veto.

“Instead of encouraging local solutions, this bill broadly regulates in a manner that invites conflict and litigation, diverting energy and resources from the education of the children of this state.” Even though Governor Daugaard’s message didn’t speak out directly against transphobia or discrimination, civil rights groups still lauded the decision and chalked it up as a victory.While trying to dissuade Daugaard from signing the bill, trans activists cited the rights of students under Title IX,

Options | April 2016

an education amendment established in 1972, which prohibits federally funded education or activities from discriminating against students on the basis of sex. “We are deeply appreciative of the Governor’s thoughtful decision and of the tireless work of local advocates to stop this harmful legislation from becoming law,” said Kris Hayashi, executive director of the Transgender Law Center.

Big Gay Al Bowling to Begin 17th Season Tuesday, May 10, marks the start of the 17th season of Big Gay Al’s bowling league. Big Gay Al’s is the largest gay bowling league in the state and, in previous seasons, has held the title of being the largest in the country. Games are held at Town Hall Lanes in Johnston and all are welcome to play or watch. The league prides itself on being inclusive and welcoming to all newcomers.

It costs $15 to bowl and the proceeds are donated to various charities. Interested parties should visit BGALBowling.com, or contact Leo Monteiro directly at biggayalbowling@aol.com for more information on joining or forming a team.

Kerri Kanelos Steps Down as Youth Pride ED Youth Pride Inc.'s board of directors has formed a search team for a candidate to succeed Kerri Kanelos, who stepped down as the organization's executive director on March 25. Youth Pride Inc. Board Chair Barbara Margolis said in a statement, "On behalf of the board of directors, staff, and the youth that we serve, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to Kerri for her many outstanding contributions to Youth Pride Inc. Kerri has done a tremendous job stabilizing YPI in turbulent times as we moved to a new location and saw a tremendous increase in the number of youth we serve. We were fortunate to have her lead us to many achievements since her appointment as executive director in 2011, including working with various state departments and systems to strengthen policies for serving LGBTQQ youth and increasing our GSA outreach to bring safe and affirming learning opportunities to all youth. We are sorry to see Kerri go, and wish her all the best. I am confident that our search will produce a candidate who will effectively serve the LGBTQQ youth of our state." Kanelos said, "It has been a great honor for me to serve as the Executive Director of an organization that I care about deeply. LGBTQQ youth here in Rhode Island inspire me every day and I look forward to witnessing YPI's continued growth and success." q

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AIDS Care Ocean State

PRESIDENT/ CEO RETIRES

by Christopher Dalpe

I

n all likelihood you’re already familiar with the outspoken, larger-than-life Irish boy from the South Side who, for decades, has been the driving force behind AIDS Care Ocean State’s (ACOS) HIV and AIDS services for all populations. Paul Fitzgerald has been fighting for underdogs his entire life and career. A true “change agent,” Fitzgerald will be retiring as President and CEO of ACOS effective April 4. This gregarious, iconic radical has set the tone for activists, not only at ACOS but throughout Rhode Island, encouraging us to stand up, act up, be louder, and grow stronger than we ever thought we could be.

Fitzgerald has led the HIV community through many organizations and programs dedicated to eradicating HIV and AIDS and serving those affected.

The journey began in 1987 when the Family AIDS Center for Treatment and Support (FACTS) was founded to provide care and support to HIVpositive infants, children, and parents, and to slow the spread of HIV through prevention efforts. Over the years, Sunrise Community Housing was established and the Education, Needle Exchange, Counseling, Outreach, and Referral (E.N.C.O.R.E) program was started to provide clean needles to IV drug users. Austin Place, a 15-unit apartment building, was constructed to house HIV-positive individuals and families. In 1998, the FACTS nursery and Sunrise Community Housing merged to form AIDS Care Ocean

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State. The Broad Med Building was purchased to meet a demand for housing, counseling, testing, and case management. In 2003, ACOS launched New Transitions, a transitional housing program for HIV-positive Rhode Islanders at risk of homelessness due to substance abuse. In 2005, Fitzgerald received the Peter Medoff New England Award for his extraordinary contributions in the response to HIV/ AIDS and homelessness. E.N.C.O.R.E began providing viral hepatitis screenings as well as Hepatitis A and B vaccinations. ACOS went on to develop two more ten-unit apartment complexes: Malm Manor and the East Long Pond Apartments. Last year, during the Annual AIDS Walk RI, Paul Fitzgerald was the recipient of the Hope Harris award, signifying many years of dedicated service.

Paul has dedicated nearly three decades of passion and unconventional activism to these many successful projects. His spirit and tenacity continue to inspire us all. He will be deeply missed, but we can only feel happy for him as he steps down after many years of service. Paul’s final task at ACOS is to pass the torch to its new President and CEO, Kenneth Mayer.

Ken Mayer holds an MBA with a concentration in health care, and his career spans 40 years in human services as a therapist, trainer, and administrator. His professional focus includes basic human needs, substance

abuse treatment, and hospice. In the early 1980s, during his work with hospice, he assisted people coping with HIV and AIDS. Ken has counseled people living with HIV, their caregivers and populations marginalized by society including people of color, IV drug users, and their families. Ken believes, “People often require and deserve assistance that sees them as individuals, and services must help enhance human dignity with choice.

There is power when people band together and bring issues to light, as they lobby government and health care providers to address and treat issues.”

As the face of AIDS changes in Rhode Island, AIDS Care Ocean State remains committed to preventing the spread of HIV and providing housing and support for those living with HIV/ AIDS in our community. The staff and board of directors look forward to the promise of new leadership and to increasing the organization’s impact on those in need of our services. q AIDS Care Ocean State provides comprehensive AIDS service, supportive housing, emergency funds, and a Speakers Bureau. Located at 18 Parkis Avenue, Providence. (401) 5213603. Appointments: (401) 781-0665. www.aidscareoceanstate.org.

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Alumni & Protesters Influence

MOUNT ST. CHARLES ACADEMY to Reverse Exclusive Trans Policy story and photos by Steve Ahlquist

T

he response from former Mount St. Charles Academy (MSCA) students and LGBTQ activists to MSCA’s policy of excluding transgender students has been swift and extremely negative.

Following a report on GoLocalProv that Mount St. Charles Academy in Woonsocket “is unable to make accommodations for transgender students” and therefore “does not accept transgender students,” nor are they “able to continue to enroll students who identify as transgender,” a group of former students united. Nick Martin, Dante Tavolaro, Alicia Bissonnette, Ryan Glode, Samantha Ward, and Julie McBrien formed Concerned Alumni Against Mount St. Charles’s TransExclusive Policy and issued the following statement on March 4: “We are deeply disappointed by the decision by the Mount Saint Charles Academy administration to include a provision in their 2015-16 Student Handbook that refuses admittance for transgender students based on a lack of undefined accommodations that has come to our attention this week. Mount Saint Charles has always been an incredible pillar of support for so many students, current and alumni alike. Actions like this seem wholly uncharacteristic of the institution.

“Furthermore, we are also confused as to what ‘accommodations’ means, as it is undefined. There are solutions to explore beyond outright expulsion and refusal of admittance. Over 600 alumni have already come together to speak out against this action.

“We love Mount Saint Charles and what it meant to us.The community that is fostered there is meant to be one of love, respect, and support.That is what we were taught. We do

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not take provisions like this lightly. We want to protect and preserve the community that made every student feel safe and supported.

This is an opportunity to learn, grow, and come together to push past our differences.

We look forward to speaking further with administration to find a resolution to this painful decision.”

In response to this and major backlash on social media, Mount Saint Charles Academy released the following statement: “Mount Saint Charles Academy deeply regrets the unintended hurt feelings at and seeming insensitivity of our policy regarding the acceptance of transgendered [sic] young people. The policy that currently appears in the Mount Saint Charles Student Handbook is not intended to be discriminatory toward transgendered [sic] students nor is Mount Saint Charles Academy’s intent or desire to exclude transgender students. The policy was put in place for the simple reason that Mount Saint Charles feels that its facilities do not presently provide the school with the ability to accommodate transgender students.

“As a Catholic school, Mount Saint Charles recognizes its call to serve all children who desire a Catholic education, but it also recognizes that it is not a comprehensive high school with the ability to serve all students.

Some students may not be academically qualified. Others may have learning plans which the school cannot accommodate.

Options | April 2016

And in some cases, our facilities may not be adequate to service some students.

“Although the school has not been approached with any requests to admit transgender students, Mount Saint Charles Academy’s administration has been exploring ways in which it might provide reasonable accommodations for transgender students and fulfill its mission.

“While Mount Saint Charles can respect that some may find our current policy somewhat inconsistent and intolerant, please try to understand the reason for its existence.

This is certainly not our intent. Please know that we would very much like to address the issue, and your prayers and kind assistance would go a long way in allowing us [to] achieve that goal.”

Activists quickly organized a protest outside Mount Saint Charles Academy the following morning. Perhaps the most poignant protest sign read, “41 percent of trans individuals attempt suicide in their lifetimes.

Accommodation cannot wait.” Two former students at the protest told me that when they attended MSCA they always found the staff and management to be open, accepting, and willing to dialogue on difficult subjects.

The sudden addition of a policy that excludes trans students blindsided them.

No one at the protest felt that the statement MSCA issued the previous day in response to the outcry over the policy was

adequate. “Trans students don’t need special toilets or facilities,” said one protester. “They need the same facilities as everyone else.”

The timing of the protest, on a cold and windy Saturday at 7:30am likely kept away many interested in attending the protest, but organizers AJ Metthe and Anthony Maselli scheduled the event to coincide with MSCA’s entrance exam for prospective students. Parents and children considering the school would be made very aware of the exclusionary policy.

Those driving past the protesters mostly kept their thoughts to themselves, but many were positive, with horn honks or thumbs up.

One man felt the need to stop his car in the middle of the road and incoherently yell at the protesters about how trans people don’t exist, the ultimate refutation of their humanity, but he was a one-off. Protesters were polite and peaceful throughout the event, and more protests were being considered for the future.

On March 9, the Mount Saint Charles Academy board reviewed the policy and removed the ban on transgender students. q Steve Ahlquist is an award winning journalist who writes for RI Future. He lives in Providence with his amazing wife, Kathy.

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by Christion Battey

I

See Diana Ross; Fight HIV/AIDS!

n addition to a dozen top-ten albums as a member of The Supremes, superstar Diana Ross’s hits include “I’m Coming Out,” “Love Hangover,” “Touch Me in the Morning,” and “Theme from Mahogany.” You can see the legendary Diana Ross at the beautiful Providence Performing Arts Center and fight HIV/AIDS on Thursday, April 14.

AIDS Project Rhode Island (APRI) and Mr. Gay Rhode Island 2015 Richie D. are hosting a fundraiser called “Divas, Drinks & Dessert,” which includes a cocktail reception at the Rooftop at the Providence G prior to the concert, a ticket to the Diana Ross “In The Name of Love” show, and an after-party back at the Rooftop for “Dessert with ‘Diana’ and Friends.” Tickets and sponsorship information can be found at www.aidsprojectri.org.

A talented cast of performers have donated their time for “Dessert with ‘Diana’ and Friends.” Richie D. said, “It’s going to be a wonderful evening for a wonderful cause.The evening will include performances by the likes of many of your favorite divas, like Lady Gaga, Bette Midler, and Liza Minnelli. A tribute to Diana Ross will be performed by the multi-talented Jackie Collins. We are so appreciative of the generous contribution from the Rooftop at the Providence G, which made this event possible.”

APRI Executive Director Stephen Hourahan pointed out that, “the recent study from the Centers for Disease Control underscores the importance of heightening the fight against HIV/ AIDS, and to do that, fundraising is critical.”

“hook-up” sites and new HIV diagnoses. “Prevention outreach needs to be heightened. We’re hoping that the owners of these sites will step forward to work with us to prevent the spread of HIV.” A portion of the proceeds from “Divas, Drinks & Dessert” will benefit APRI’s prevention initiative. This includes getting people who are HIV+ into treatment and care, promoting regular testing, and advocating for prevention methods like condoms and preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a pill taken daily to protect against contracting the HIV virus. “We are excited for the opportunity to raise money to fight HIV/AIDS in conjunction with local arts events, especially with a concert starring an icon like Diana Ross,” said Hourahan. q AIDS Project Rhode Island provides fast, free , anonymous, rapid HIV and Hepatitis C testing at our Providence office (9 Pleasant Street) on Tuesdays from 4-6pm and Thursdays from 5-6:30pm, or by appointment (831-5522 ext. 3824 or takecharge@aidsprojectri.org), and at various locations through the United Way 2-1-1 Outreach RV. Visit www.aidsprojectri.org for more information.

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A first-of-its-kind Centers for Disease Control study released in February found that African-American men who have sex with other men have a 50% chance of being diagnosed with HIV in their lifetime; Hispanic men who have sex with other men have a 25% chance. “These numbers are shocking and call us to action,” said Hourahan, who also noted that a local study involving Brown University, The Miriam Hospital, and the Rhode Island Department of Health, found a strong link between online

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Options | April 2016

The RI Women’s Association’s

New Beginning

by Lisa Abreau

2016 is a year of big changes and new beginnings for the Rhode Island Women’s Association (RIWA). We have a new chairwoman, six new steering committee members, and an exciting all-new venue for the RIWA dances at the Old Slater Mill in Pawtucket.

RIWA has been a part of the RI lesbian community for over 37 years. It began in 1978 when a small group of women met with the idea of establishing a social group for lesbian women that would offer an alternative to bars and give gay women a safe and welcoming place to socialize.

Some in the RI and southeastern Massachusetts lesbian community are familiar with RIWA because of the six dances per year that have been held for the past 24 years at the Letter Carriers Hall in Cranston. In late 2015, the Letter Carriers Hall was sold and RIWA Chairwoman Lorraine Nye was ready to step down. Lorraine approached DonnaMarie Frappier and asked if she would be willing to accept the nomination for chairwoman, and Donna-Marie agreed.

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“I knew that if I did not step up and take the lead, there was a good possibility that RIWA would cease to exist. Lorraine had done a wonderful job during her tenure and I felt ready to continue her efforts and face the challenges of change.

I have enormous respect for the founders of the association and the strength it took in difficult times to create a safe place for lesbians to socialize. We owe a great deal to these leaders and it is time for our newly elected steering committee to take RIWA to a place to suit the needs of lesbians today. It is time for RIWA to reintroduce itself to the lesbian community.” The 2016 steering committee (pictured) includes Chairwoman Donna-Marie Frappier, Treasurer Lynn F., Webmaster Leslie Baker, Secretary Lisa Abreau, Membership Coordinator Shawn Judge, and at-large members Sharon Cavalloro, Lisa Cipriano, Jennifer Heald, and Rose Thompson.

With the sale of the Letter Carriers Hall, a venue search began. A site with historical ties to RI was preferable to the committee. The Old Slater Mill proved to be the perfect location for RIWA’s “New Beginnings” movement. Designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Park Service, the event space is intimate, spacious, and welcoming.There is a large dance area and quiet areas to sit and talk. It is located directly off Exit 28 of Interstate 95 at 67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket and has a private parking lot.

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The first dance was held on March 12, and brought out a wonderful group of well over 100 women from across Rhode Island, Connecticut, and southeastern Massachusetts. The next scheduled dance is April 23, with doors to open at 7pm.

As always, the events are bring-yourown-beverage, though coffee is available.

Additional 2016 dances are scheduled for June 11, September 10, November 12, and December 10. RIWA’s annual dues include admission to all six dances. Membership forms are available at the door or on the RIWA website at www.riwa.net. For those not ready to become a member, single event memberships will also be available.

Says Donna-Marie, “It is an honor to serve on the RIWA board. We are determined to carry on the traditions of the group while entertaining the infinite possibilities that lie ahead for RIWA as an organization. Changes are in the air and we are extremely excited to be a part of it. Whether you have been to 100 RIWA dances or none at all, now is the time to join us and experience our new look and feel. What could be better than RI history, wonderful women, and dancing to songs that you know and love? There’s even time for slow dancing. Do something nice for yourself; join us on April 23 for our Spring Celebration Dance. You won’t be sorry.” q

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RI PR I D E

by Kurt Bagley & Davide Gnoato

A

s RI Pride gears up for the 40th Anniversary of RI PrideFest – Pride XL: Progress, Celebrate, Excel – RI Pride would like to acknowledge the progress that must still be achieved. In keeping with that goal, RI Pride has endorsed the Community Safety Act (CSA) put forth by the STEP UP Coalition in Providence, which is comprised of PrYSM (Providence Youth Student Movement), Direct Action for Rights and Equality, Olneyville Neighborhood Association, and American Friends Service Committee.

The CSA will help to keep all Providence residents safer by putting measures in place that prevent discrimination and increase transparency during encounters between police and community members. The law works to ensure that the highest standards of safety, fairness, and consistency are maintained during police encounters, and that corrective actions are taken when such standards are not met.

We recognize the goals of the CSA and support the effort to improve relations between all communities and the Providence Police Department. RI Pride is proud to stand with the STEP UP Coalition and supports the passage of the CSA. To learn more about the CSA, please visit: providencecommunitysafetyact.wordpress.com, or read the story on page 22 of this issue.

The theme of RI PrideFest 2015 was IndiVISIBLE. Highlighting the importance of coming together as a community, IndiVISIBLE stressed that the goal of equality is not unique to sexual identity or expression. It is shared by communities of color, gender identity, religion, age, culture, disability, and a myriad of other expressions and identities.

IndiVISIBLE was not just a one-time theme, but a vision for the future as we struggle and triumph together. During our 40th Anniversary in 2016, it is more important than ever for us to not only celebrate the progress of our LGBTQ community, but to also stand in solidarity with all oppressed communities to ensure progress for us all.

been? Whether it be set up, security, the Beer,Wine & Spirits Garden, or clean-up at the end of the day, we need more help! Without volunteers the festival and RI Pride itself wouldn’t be possible. If you’re unable to devote your time, perhaps you can give one dollar for each of the 40 years that marchers have gathered on the streets of Providence to demand equal rights? Even a simple two-hour shift during the festival set-up, the parade, or clean-up, or a $20 donation will make a significant impact in helping those who donate their time year-round to make the greatest celebration in the smallest state a reality.

Over the coming months we will be recruiting volunteers for every facet of the RI PrideFest. Davide Gnaoto is this year’s volunteer coordinator. He sincerely hopes you will join in and experience this powerful camaraderie.

To be a part of the team and take a more active role in your community, visit www.prideri.com/volunteers. q Tax-deductible donations can be sent to RI Pride, PO Box 1082, Providence, RI 02901; or visit www.prideri.com.

Donations of $40 or more will be acknowledged in the 2016 Pride Guide, or can be kept anonymous upon request.

Rhode Island Pride is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting the visibility, equality, and diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community and provides safe space to come out, express, and celebrate all sexual identities and genders. For more information, email info@prideri.com; call (401) 467-2130; or join us for a gathering in our office at 1055 Westminster Street, Floor 2, in Providence.

We must demonstrate our Pride by standing together and doing our parts. How can you do your part?

One way to do so is by contributing in some way to our annual festival, which has significantly grown in size, volunteer needs, and cost over the last four years. How much is Pride worth to you? How about four hours of volunteer time to ensure that PrideFest remains as vibrant, safe, accessible, successful, entertaining, and fun as it has

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Options | April 2016

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OUT

Pride Goddess Show @ Aurora, Mar. 6 Photos by Paul E. Martin Miss Comedy Queen Pageant @ Dark Lady, Mar. 13 Photos by Jen Bonin

On the Town 20 20

Options || April April 2016 2016 Options

Options | April 2016

21

REDEFINE SAFETY: THE COMMUNITY SAFETY ACT

by August Guang

O

n June 19 of 2014, the STEP UP coalition (pictured); consisting of the Providence Youth Student Movement (PrYSM), Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE), Olneyville Neighborhood Association (ONA), and American Friends Service Committee (AFSC); drafted and declared its support for a recently introduced city ordinance bill, the Providence Community Safety Act. This bill was designed to curb police profiling in tangible ways that hold the police accountable. When passed, it would be the most comprehensive anti-profiling bill in the nation.

Catalyzed by the murder of Trayvon Martin in 2012, and taking off after Michael Brown’s death in 2014, #BlackLivesMatter has brought national attention to the crisis in police killings, school pushouts, and imprisonment facing the Black community.

This is the reality of centuries of violent and discriminatory policing practices and policies, and Rhode Island is not free from this. In 2014, the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island reported that “every one of the 13 reviewed Rhode Island police departments disproportionately arrested black individuals at rates even larger than in Ferguson, Missouri.”

As members of the LGBTQ community, we should know that the rights and privileges we have earned come directly from the work of Black organizers, freedom fighters, and other people of color. It was two transgender women of color, Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, who sparked the Stonewall Riots by fighting back against police harassment and state violence. We should also know that our LGBTQ community members are among those most impacted by policing practices.

According to the Williams Institute 2015 report Serving Our Youth and the California

22

Research Bureau’s Voices from the Street: A Survey of Homeless Youth by Their Peers, the majority of homeless youth (75%) reported repeated negative interactions with law enforcement, from being ticketed for sleeping on the street to having criminal records due to being unable to pay the ticket fines. LGBTQ youth are overrepresented in agencies serving homeless youth, and a disproportionate number of LGBTQ youth are also youth of color. The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Projects reports that transgender people are more than four times as likely to experience physical violence from the police than cisgender people. It is more than six times as likely for transgender people of color. Transgender women of color in particular face extreme police violence, including invasive gender searches and sex worker profiling. It is not hard to see that current policing practices affect those who are most marginalized by society: LGBTQ people of color in poor neighborhoods with little access to stable employment and housing.

The Providence Community Safety Act (CSA) seeks to protect the rights of those most marginalized through a comprehensive twelve-point plan centered on police interactions with community members.

Overall, the CSA seeks to ban profiling on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, language access, citizenship status, ability, and other forms of discriminatory policing. Specifically, it outlines requirements for the police to verbally state the reason for a stop, document every stop, and provide better language access. It also places limitations on police behavior, such as preventing police from interfering with civilians who are recording police activities, preventing inquiries about an individual’s immigration status, and prohibiting searches of an individual for the sole purpose of determining their gender.

This ordinance differs from the recently

passed state bill (the Comprehensive Community Police Relationship Act of 2015) in that it seeks to set a higher bar in protections for community members. Our community members are not safe when they live in fear of searches and stops on the basis of their identity. Our community members are not safe when they are subject to invasive questions and constant surveillance.

Our community is not safe without ways to hold law enforcement accountable.

“For me, as a queer white woman, the Community Safety Act is an important step in creating the community we want to live in and want our youth to grow up in,” said Martha Yager, Program Coordinator for AFSC-SENE.“The CSA articulates the values we want our police to embody daily and a mechanism for holding them accountable to the community they serve. We all need to step up to make this a reality.” Rhode Island Pride and the Transgender, Gender Nonconforming, and Intersex Network (TGI Network) of Rhode Island have signed onto the bill in recognition of what safety really means for our community. We hope you will lend us your support as well. You can email vanessa@prysm.us for ways to help or to find out more information, or go to https://providencecommunitysafetyact. wordpress.com/. q

The STEP UP network partners envision communities of color throughout the state where people are able to work, attend school, enjoy public spaces, and travel safely, free from harassment and targeting by law enforcement.

We see a community in which young people do not have to fear being pulled over while walking or bicycling home and photographed so their names can be added to a secret “gang list.” The STEP UP network’s vision is one where criminal records are no more of a job-killer for Black, Latino, and Southeast Asian adults in the core cities than they are for white adults in the suburbs.

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by Ethan Huckel for TGI Network of RI

A SUCCESSFUL 2ND ANNUAL TRANS* HEALTH CONFERENCE

W

e at TGI Network know the importance of health and wellness for all people, but especially for the trans* population of Rhode Island. We have focused much of our energy over the years on advocating on your behalf to make sure that you have access to the care you need. You have seen us celebrate each of the victories that bring that goal closer to reality. Over the last year, we saw an expansion of Medicare benefits to include gender-confirming surgeries.

Then, we cheered for the decision by the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner of Rhode Island to ensure that all commercial insurance plans in Rhode Island include the same care. Despite these victories, there are still barriers to care that must be addressed.

Now that we’re beyond many insurance hurdles, we find our focus shifting toward ensuring that a network of providers is available for the trans* community here in Rhode Island. At this point, many Rhode Islanders are seeking medical care with providers and practices out of state. Similarly, surgical care is almost exclusively sought elsewhere.

This presents a geographical barrier to care that can be insurmountable.Though there are a number of committed providers in Rhode Island who offer excellent care to the trans* community,

Options | April 2016

they are still in the minority. At TGI Network, we understand the need to build a wide network of providers so that transition-related care is accessible to all Rhode Islanders. Toward that end, we have worked hard to support the annual Trans* Health Conference, co-sponsored this year by Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School and Rhode Island College’s School of Social Work.

On Saturday, January 30, medical and behavioral health providers, nurses, and community members came together at Rhode Island College for the second annual Trans* Health Conference. The goal of this conference was to enhance the health and well-being of members of the transgender community by increasing the number of mental health and medical health care providers who feel comfortable and confident providing care for transgender patients. This year, the conference grew substantially from where it began in 2015. With registration filling quickly, it was exciting to see how many local providers were eager to seek this learning opportunity.

The conference included a welcome address from Don Operario, associate professor of public health in the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences and associate dean of academic affairs in the School of Public Health at Brown University; a keynote address

by Scout, director of LGBT HealthLink at CenterLink and adjunct assistant clinical professor at Boston University

School of Public Health; as well as three tracks of sessions for medical providers, behavioral health providers, and community members.

It is clear that many people recognize the importance of this work. In addition to being a learning opportunity for providers, the conference offered a space for community members to share their experiences and learn from one another. Many people who participated in the event expressed pleasure and excitement to have this opportunity here in Rhode Island. Keep an eye out for information about planning next year’s conference.

If you are looking for a local healthcare provider, please go to www.

TGINetwork.org/resources for more information.q TGI Network of Rhode Island is the only statewide organization providing support, advocacy, and education for the transgender, gender-variant, and intersex community (aka trans* community).

Incorporated in 2011, our mission is to be a resource for TGI people navigating their lives and the medical and legal systems; to serve as a resource for professionals working with TGI people; and to serve as a liaison between the TGI and LGB communities and the community at large.

Visit us at www.tginetwork.org.

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PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

LGBTQ RIGHTS

ON

by Jesse DeRita

R

hode Islanders will vote in the primary election on Tuesday, April 26. This year, a difficult political climate with a lot at stake has most of us watching the presidential election coverage intently. Many are considering which candidates are in favor of policies that affect their lives in a positive way. As members of the LGBTQ community, we have unique considerations.

On the Democratic side, you will find a far more accepting and inclusive attitude towards our community. Both Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have vowed to protect the right for all people to marry, and advocate for stronger laws to prevent discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

Bernie Sanders has been a consistent champion for civil rights dating back to the 1960s, and stood up for gay rights many years before it was considered socially acceptable to do so. He supported the first Pride Parade in Vermont, when he was Mayor of Burlington in 1983. He voted against the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, and against Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in 1993. Mr. Sanders called marriage equality “a victory for same-sex couples as well as those seeking to live in a nation where every citizen is afforded equal rights.” Sanders has been a noted champion for gay rights since 1972, when he advocated for the abolition of discriminatory laws regarding homosexuality. He is a cosponsor of the Equality Act, which adds sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He has also called for support of the Every Child

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Deserves a Family Act, which protects prospective adoptive parents from homophobia-based discrimination.

Hillary Clinton’s current policies are supportive of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.

In December 2015, she released an ad featuring same-sex couples, showing her support for marriage equality and anti-discrimination legislation. Ms. Clinton also supports both the Equality Act and the Every Child Deserves a Family Act. She came out in support of marriage equality in March 2013, when she released a video in conjunction with the Human Rights Campaign, saying, “Human rights are gay rights, and gay rights are human rights.” From 2000 to 2013, Clinton supported civil unions to give legal protections to same-sex couples while stating that marriage was “between a man and a woman.” Like many, Clinton’s stance on gay issues evolved in conjunction with public opinion, and at this time she strongly supports gay rights.

It’s a totally different story when considering the remaining Republican candidates, who range from being personally against gay rights and politically wishy-washy, to unabashedly crusading for the evangelical anti-gay agenda.

John Kasich, Governor of Ohio, who is sometimes painted as a moderate, is anything but moderate in terms of his voting record. In fact, before it reached the Supreme Court, Obergefell v. Hodges was Obergefell v. Kasich. Kasich, as Governor, defended “traditional”

Options | April 2016

marriage and argued against James Obergefell being listed as the surviving spouse on John Arthur’s death certificate, despite their legal marriage in Maryland. He has since ever so slightly moved away from this stance, saying he would love his daughters were they lesbians and that the Supreme Court’s decision on marriage equality “would have to be respected.”

He has been quoted as saying that being gay is a “lifestyle choice,” one with which he did not personally agree.

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is easily the most hostile candidate on LGBTQ issues. He openly opposes marriage equality and defends the right to discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.

He is also an adversary of the trans community, calling the decision to allow trans kids to use the bathroom aligned with their identity “lunacy.” Cruz believes that being gay or transgender is a matter of choice. He has called marriage equality “a threat to democracy” and referred to trans people serving our country in the military as “a left-wing social experiment.”

Donald Trump, the front-runner for the Republican nomination, has consistently opposed marriage equality, and despite his three marriages, thinks of himself as a “traditional guy” on the issue. As recently as 2013, Mr. Trump believed that gay and lesbian couples should settle for civil unions. On the campaign trail, he recently suggested that he would appoint

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justices to the Supreme Court who would reverse Obergefell v. Hodges. His policies on discrimination are inconsistent and often unclear. Mr. Trump, having never held public office, and without a voting record to measure him against the other candidates, is particularly unpredictable as a candidate. We do, however, have every reason to believe he would move to dismantle the civil rights of not only gay and trans people, but also the rights and protections for people of color and immigrant populations, doing massive damage to people with intersections of racial oppression and queerness.

Trump and Cruz plan to revoke the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”), which affects many in our community. Kasich has said he would revoke part of the Affordable Care Act, leaving the provisions for Medicaid expansion. Both Clinton and Sanders would defend the Affordable Care Act, although Sanders says he would fight to expand its coverage.

We must exercise our right to vote in order to maintain political power and protect ourselves and our community from discrimination and loss of rights. The impact of the presidential election on the Supreme Court alone is enough reason to go to the polls in both April and November. Our community’s civil rights will surely be affected over the coming years by this year’s election. Protect yourself, protect the vulnerable, and be sure to vote. q Visit the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s Voter Information Center to find your voting status, elected officials, and polling place at https://sos.ri.gov/vic/.

TH URSD AY, APRIL 1 4 AT 7 :3 0 P www.ppacri.org (401) 421-ARTS (2787)

Options | April 2016

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NEWS FROM

by Sally Ann Hay Reservations are a must. Please call Pauline at 351-6700, ext.

125, and ask her to save you a seat. Vegetarian meals may be requested when you make your reservation.

Put a Little Silver in Your Rainbow!

Building the Future The Board of Directors of SAGE Rhode Island held a retreat in late February to wrestle with somewhat competing ideas, and to develop a strategic and thoughtful plan to support SAGE’s future. Joan Kwiatkowski, CEO of CareLink, joined us for much of the day and offered her expertise in nurturing and growing organizations such as SAGE. We developed a plan that will allow us, over the next eighteen months, to generate a robust and engaged membership, while working toward increased financial sustainability. To help in these efforts, we will be recruiting some additional board members. We are particularly in need of people with expertise in the business and/or financial worlds.

All in all, the retreat was productive. The day ended with board members agreeing that SAGE has some strong talent at the helm and that it is time for “All hands on deck!”

Everyone is Welcome Forget what you might have heard, read or thought: the monthly LGBT Café is open to all LGBT people and their friends. All. After some missteps, a resolution was reached and clarity obtained. Everyone is welcome, although the price varies.

If you are 60 years old or older, you will be asked to donate $3. If you are younger than 60 and you have a documented disability, you will be asked to donate $3. If you are younger than 60 and you do not have a documented disability, you will be asked to pay $6.The bottom line is: have you made your reservations for the next LGBT Café yet? The next Café will be held April 15 – our usual third Friday of the month – beginning at noon, at the Church of the Transfiguration (1665 Broad Street, Cranston.)

Thank you to the patrons of The Stable for choosing us as the BEST GAY BAR for the 4th year in a row!

Come down and experience what everyone is raving about.

TheStableProvidence

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125 Washington Street • Providence

If you came to this event last year, you know that we know how to have fun! Our annual and fabulous fundraiser, Put a Little Silver in Your Rainbow, promises a wonderful evening of drinks, desserts, savory finger foods, dancing, and art.The event will also feature a silent art auction showcasing the amazing works of local artists. Put a Little Silver in Your Rainbow will be held on Saturday, May 14, 7-10:00pm at the Warwick Art Museum Gallery (3259 Post Road, Warwick). Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased at Eventbrite.com. (Or look for the hotlink on our website, www.sage-ri.org.) This is a great opportunity to catch up with friends and support a great cause. We hope to see you there!q SAGE-RI (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders) addresses issues of concern to LGBT elders and is an organization of diverse people of all ages. For information on programs or to join SAGE-RI, write to sageriinfo@gmail.com; call (401) 4434451; send a letter to SAGE-RI c/o CareLink, 1 Virginia Avenue, Providence, RI 02905; visit www.sage-ri.org, or find SAGE/Rhode Island on Facebook.

PROVIDENCE COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE

PCA is PROUD to share its new home with RI Pride and Options Magazine.

Now located at 1055 Westminster Street, Providence.

For appointments, call 401-272-2288. www.providencecommunityacupuncture.com

Options | April 2016

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don’t grow up invisible

Youth Pride Inc.

13

by Alexis Hall

Policy at Mount Saint Charles Academy Youth Pride Inc. strongly opposed Mount Saint Charles Academy’s policy banning transgender students from the school.

Statements released by the school indicated that officials believe that their facilities “do not presently provide the school with the ability to accommodate transgender students” and that it “has been exploring ways in which it might provide reasonable accommodations for transgender students and fulfill its mission.”

YPI reached out to the school and offered information and professional development on best practices for supporting transgender students, and believes that excluding students is not an acceptable solution to being unprepared to provide a safe and supportive learning environment.

Scholarship Available We are proud to announce that applications for the Lipsky/Whittaker

Scholarship Fund will be accepted now through May 13, 2016. The Lipsky/ Whittaker Scholarships will be awarded to Rhode Island youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQQ), or the child of LGBTQQ parents.

The scholarship was established through the estate of John Lipsky and George Whittaker, who were life partners for more than 50 years. The two gentlemen passed away in 2005, just eight weeks apart. Their dream was to see “young LGBT men and women grow up without the fear of rejection, violence, discrimination, or exposure to HIV/ AIDS.” A scholarship recipient must: • be a Rhode Island high school graduate (or a high school student graduating in the spring/summer of 2016) under the age of twenty-four; • be enrolled (or planning to enroll) fulltime in a post-secondary technical training

program, or a two- or four-year college; • have a substantial history of activism in support of the rights of LGBTQQ individuals and families; and • identify as LGBTQQ, or be raised in an LGBTQQ household.

Scholarship applications are available online at www.youthprideri.org. For more information, please call 421-5626 or e-mail us at info@youthprideri.org.

We’re Hiring!

Please visit our website for information about our job openings, which include an Executive Director, Gay/Straight Alliance Coordinator, Youth Worker, Training Consultant, and a Fee-for-Service Clinician. q Youth Pride Inc. provides support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQQ young people ages 9-23. Our Drop-in Center is at 473 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903. Visit www.youthprideri.org, email info@youthprideri. org, or call (401) 421-5626 for more info.

NEW PLANS. NE W LOOK.

Same heart.

1-800-459-6019 www.nhpri.org Options | April 2016

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RESOURCES

Options originated in 1982 as the offical newsletter of the Rhode Island Gay Task Force. Editor Jos Fayette explained, “The RIGTF wants to make the homosexual community aware of their options as gay men and women in Rhode Island. And it’s only because we live, work, love, and play in this state that there are such a large number of options available to all of us.” Options has always, and will continue to print LGBTQ resources so that you can, as Fayette went on to say, “Exercise your OPTIONS today to make positive changes in your life tomorrow.”

Help us help you! Email info@optionsri.org if you come across a resource listing that needs updating. New, updated, and featured resources are highlighted. Phone numbers are in the 401 area code and addresses are in Rhode Island, unless otherwise indicated.

Addiction Support Groups AA Brothers in Sobriety: Saturday 7:30pm. 372 Wayland Avenue, Providence. 751-9328.

Alcohol/Drug Helpline: RI Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence. 24hr. (866) 252-3784.

RI LGBT AA Group: Tuesdays 7 -- 8 pm Bell Street Chapel, 5 Bell St., Providence, 273-5678. All are welcome.

Seven Hills Behavioral Health: Addiction support services and Narcan. 1173 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA, 508999-4159. 310 S. Main Street, Fall River, MA, 508-235-1012.

Leonard Amaral, Program Manager, lamaral@sevenhills.org.

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous: 12-step program. Fridays at 7pm. Providence Presbyterian Church, 500 Hope Street, Providence, side entrance, downstairs to the left. Gay, but all are welcome.

Young People’s Sexual Diversity meeting of AA. Fridays at 7pm at Center for Sexual Pleasure & Health, 250 Main St., Pawtucket. 489-5513.

AIDS/Health Resources AFIA Center for Health & Wholeness: Meals, food pantry, HIV support groups, recovery groups, recreational and social activities.

Sponsored by AIDS Project RI. Free to clients. Wednesday and Thursday 12-3pm. Mathewson Street Church, 134 Mathewson Street, Providence. Contact Gordon Cooper, 331-1350 ext.

3268. info@uwri.org. www.familyserviceri.org.

AIDS Action Hotline: MA only. (800) 235-2331. www.aac.org.

AIDS Care Ocean State: Confidential HIV & Hep C testing, safer-sex supplies, case management, emergency funds, clinical services, assisted and supportive housing for people living with HIV/AIDS, street outreach, ENCORE, HIV+ support groups.

Speaker’s Bureau, 18 Parkis Ave., Providence. 521-3603 (call 781-0665 to schedule an appointment). www.aidscareos.org.

AIDS Project RI: Division of Family Service of RI. Case management, buddies, COBRA and dental services, emergency fund, mental health counseling, nutrition support, assessment and referral, wellness programs, advocacy, strength training, prevention education, HIV testing. 9 Pleasant Street, Providence.

831-5522 www.aidsprojectri.org.

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AIDS Quilt RI: Displays local AIDS memorial quilt panels, panel-making programs including Anna’s Workshop, HIV/AIDS education for young people. PO Box 2591, Newport. 434-4880. admin@aidsquiltri.org. www.aidsquiltri.org.

Brown University AIDS Program: Clinical trials, public policy, research, lectures, conferences, patient and community education.

121 South Main Street, Second Floor, Providence. 863-6790. brunap@brown.edu. brown.edu/Departments/BRUNAP. Community Care Alliance: Case management, support, personal care items for people living with HIV/AIDS in northern Rhode Island.

245 Main Street, Woonsocket. 235-6092. lcohen@famresri.org.

Comprehensive Community Action Programs: Medical, mental health, dental, social services, LGBT outreach. 311 Doric Avenue, Cranston. Also Coventry, Pawtucket, and Warwick. 467-9610.

Gabriel Care, LLC: Nursing/social worker case management and financial compensation for assistance and supervision for those living with HIV. MassHealth funded for MA residents. 376 South Main Street, Fall River, MA. Contact Jenn, (508) 678-1002.

Options | April 2016

HIV Antibody Testing: Anonymous.Free or sliding scale.RI Department of Health. Providence, Newport and other locations. 222-2320.

Home and Hospice Care of RI: Medical care management for HIV/AIDS. 24hr nursing staff for treatment. 1085 North Main Street, Providence. Referrals: 782-0725. Bereavement groups: Contact John Charette, 727-7079. Main Office: 415-4200 or toll-free 800-338-6555. www.hhcri.org.

House of Compassion: HIV/AIDS housing. 2510 Mendon Road, Cumberland. 658-3992.

LGBT Caregiver Online Support Group: For LGBTs caring for someone with chronic health problems. www.caregiver.org Luis E. Martinez House CHS, Inc.: Supportive, permanent housing for 10 adults living with HIV/AIDS and/or substance abuse. New Bedford, MA. Contact Joe Taylor. (508) 984-7514.

Partners in Learning About AIDS: Outreach to minorities, women of color, and LGBT community at clubs and other locations. North Providence office provides free condoms and information about STIs and post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. 1006 Charles Street, Suite 5, North Providence. 484-7523. info@plaidsproject.org. www.plaidsproject.org.

Planned Parenthood of So. New England: Confidential, lowcost, same-day & walk-in STD and HIV testing. Commonsense approach to health. 111 Point St., Providence. 800-230-7526. www.ppsne.org.

Project Weber: Services for male sex workers. Drop-in center, support groups, HIV and Hep C testing, clean needles.

383-4888. www.projectweber.org.

Seven Hills HIV Prevention & Screening: TWIST program, HIV and STI prevention and testing,partner care.1173AcushnetAvenue, New Bedford, MA, 508-999-4159. 310 S. Main Street, Fall River, MA, 508-235-1012. Contact Leonard Amaral, lamaral@sevenhills.org.

SSTAR (Stanley Street Treatment & Resources): Counseling, drug treatment, detox, domestic violence programs, free and confidential HIV, HEP C, and STD testing, education, case management and support. MA and RI locations. 386 Stanley Street, Fall River, MA. (508) 679-5222. Project Aware (HIV/HCV); (508) 324-3561. Family Healthcare Center; (508) 675-1054. www.sstar.org.

Steppingstone, Inc.: Welcome Home Medical case management program. One-on-one peer support in Somerset to Wareham area. HIV support groups available. Free and open to any HIV+ person 18+. 5 Dover Street, New Bedford, MA. (508) 984-7514. www.steppingstoneinc.org.

Tranquil Mind & Wellness: Counseling, alternative healing, yoga, Pilates, meditation.109 Rhode Island Road, Lakeville, MA. (508) 947-1683. www.tranquilmind.net.

Thundermist Health Center: Provides HIV/AIDS services including medical care and treatment by an HIV specialist, dental care, behavioral health counseling, nutritional assessment and counseling, pharmacy consultation, free and confidential HIV testing. 450 Clinton Street, Woonsocket. Contact Philip Kane.

767-4100 ext. 3516.

The Center for Sexual Pleasure & Health: Education, pleasure, health, advocacy. Tues. -- Sat. 12 -- 6 and by appointment. 250 Main Street, Unit 1, Pawtucket. 489-5513. www.thecsph.org.

Fenway Community Center LGBT Helpline: Support, information and referrals. Fenway Community Health Center, Boston. Open daily 6-11pm. (617) 267-9001 or 888-340-452 Foster Parents needed for newborns to age six. Visit www. chidrensfriendri.org or call Joyce, 276-4318.

GLBT National Help Center Hotline: Local resources nationwide provided by social services agency. 888-843-4564.

www.glbtnationalhelpcenter.org.

Newport Out: LGBT website for Newport. www.newportout.com.

RILGBT-News: Low-volume email distribution list for LGBT & AIDS news from RI. Not a discussion list. To subscribe: tinawood@cox.net.

South Coast LGBTQ Network: Information & advocacy network for individuals of all ages. 774-371-0711. info@ sclgbtqnetwork.org. www.sclgbtqnetwork.org.

United Way of RI Referral Line: 2-1-1 on your telephone.

Information/Education

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Nightlife The Alley Cat Providence: Downtown neighborhood bar.

Monday-Thursday 3pm-1am, Friday 3pm-2am, Saturday 2pm2am, Sunday 2pm-1am. 19 Snow Street, Providence. 272-6369.

Bobby’s Place: Dancing, pool, video lounge, karaoke. SundayWednesday 5pm-1am, Thursday-Saturday 5pm-2am. 62 Weir Street,Taunton, MA. (508) 824-9997. www.bobbysplacema.com.

Brooklyn Coffee Tea House: 209 Douglas Ave., Providence: public/private venue for music, art, film screenings, weddings, showers, etc. RHODYWOOD@yahoo.com; 359-0192.

Club Body Center: Gay men’s sauna. Membership required.

One-day pass available. Open 24hr. 257 Weybosset Street, Providence. 274-0298. www.cbcresorts.com.

The Dark Lady: Downtown bar and nightclub. TuesdayThursday 9pm-1am, Friday & Saturday 9pm-3am, Sunday 9pm1am. 17 Snow Street, Providence. 272-6369.

EGO: Providence’s newest gay nightlife performance/event space.

Sunday and Thursday 9pm-1am, Friday and Saturday 10pm-3am, 73 Richmond St, Providence. 383-1208. www.egopvd.com.

Indigo Lounge: 599 Tiogue Ave, Coventry RI 02816. Breakfast buffet, specialty pizzas, T Dances, live entertainment, karaoke Thurs. Hours vary, closed Mon. www.indigopizza.com.

Mirabar: Downtown bar and nightclub. Monday-Thursday 3pm-1am, Friday and Saturday 3pm-2am, Sunday 3pm-1am.

15 Elbow Street, Providence. 331-6761. www.mirabar.com.

Providence Eagle: Leather, Levi, bear cruise bar. MondayThursday 2pm-1am, Friday 2pm-2am, Saturday-Sunday 12pm2am. 124 Snow Street, Providence. 421-1447.

The Stable: Downtown video bar. No cover. Monday-Thursday 2pm-1am, Friday 2pm-2am, Saturday 12pm-2am, Sunday 12pm1am. 125 Washington Street, Providence. 272-6950.

The Village: Downtown Providence’s newest LGBT owned and operated restaurant and live entertainment venue.

Lunch & dinner Wednesday through Sunday for varying hours.

373 Richmond St. 228-7222, www.thevillageri.com

Political & Legal Groups American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): 128 Dorrance Street, Suite 220, Providence. 831-7171. riaclu.org.

Amnesty International OUTfront: Program to campaign globally for LGBTQ human rights. (212) 807-8400. Cvohs18904@yahoo.com. www.amnestyusa.org.

Brown University Queer Alliance: Student advocacy and support organization. queer@brown.edu.

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD): LGBT/ HIV legal info hotline. Weekdays 1:30-4:30pm. 30 Winter Street, Suite 800, Boston, MA. (617) 436-1350 or (800) 455-GLAD. gladlaw@glad.org www.GLAD.org.

Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund: 120 Wall Street, Suite 1500, NY. (212) 809-8585. www.lambdalegal.org.

Lawyers for Equality and Diversity (LEAD): Advocates for LGBT causes. lawyersforequality@gmail.com.

National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Assoc./New England: Works for fair and accurate media coverage of LGBT issues. info@nlgja.org, www.nlgja.org.

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The Next Thing (TNT): Political and support group for queer people of color located at Brown University. 863-3062. tnt@brown.edu.

RI Commission on Prejudice and Bias: Hate crime awareness training program. www.hatecrimeri.org.

RI Socialist Action: 952-5385, adgagneri@gmail.com. Spanish: 351-3514, walsil@cox.net.

RI Human Rights Commission: Anti-discrimination law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit. 180 Westminster Street, 3rd floor, Providence. 222-2662 TTY: 222-2664, richr.ri.gov.

Scouts for Equality: An organization composed largely of Boy Scouts of America alumni dedicated to ending the BSA’s ban on gay members and leaders. Contact Carol Crowther. ccrowther1@gmail.com. Facebook.com/riscoutsforequality.

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network: Serving LGBT military personnel and veterans. PO Box 65301, Washington DC. (202) 328-3244. or (800) 538-7418. sldn@sldn.org. www.sldn.org.

Options | April 2016

Religious & Spiritual All Saints Memorial Church: 674Westminster Street, Providence.

751-1747. asmcri@verizon.net. www.allsaintsmemorial.org.

Amicable Congregational Church: UCC. Open & Affirming.

Pastor William Sterrett. Sunday 10am. 3736 Main Road, Tiverton.

624-4611. amicablechurch@aol.com, www.amicablechurch.org.

Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists: robin@awab.org, www.awab.org.

Barrington Congregational Church: UCC. “The white church.” Sundays 10am. 461 County Road, Barrington. 246-0111. office@bccucc.org, www.bccucc.org.

Bell Street Chapel: Unitarian Universalist. A Welcoming Congregation. Rev. Margaret Weis. Sundays 10am. 5 Bell Street, Providence. 273-5678. www.bellstreetchapel.org.

Beneficent Congregational Church: UCC. An Open & Affirming congregation in the heart of Providence. Co-Pastors Todd & Nicole Yonkman. Sundays 10am. 300 Weybosset Street, Providence. 331-9844. BeneficentChurchUCC@gmail.com, www.beneficentchurch.org.

Berean Baptist Church: A safe and welcoming place for all God’s children. Sunday 10am. 474 Chapel Street, Harrisville. 568-5411. bereanbaptist@verizon.net. www.bereanri.org.

Calvary United Methodist Church of Middletown: LGBTQ early dementia support group. Contact Amy. Sundays 10:30am. 200 Turner Road, Middletown. 847-6181, www.middletownmethodist.com.

Central Congregational Church: UCC.An Opening & Affirming Congregation. Sundays 10:30am. 296 Angell Street, Providence.

331-1960. www.centralchurch.us.

Channing Memorial Church: Unitarian Universalist. A Welcoming Congregation. Sundays 10am. 135 Pelham Street, Newport.

846-0643. administrator@channingchurch.org. www.channingchurch.org.

Charter Oak Grove ADF: An Open and Welcoming Congregation of Neo-pagan Druids in CT. charteroakadf@gmail. com, www.charteroakadf.org.

Christ Church in Lonsdale: Episcopal.

1643 Lonsdale Avenue, Lincoln.

Services 8am and 10:30am.

725-1920. office@christchurchlincoln.org. www.christchurchlincoln.org.

Church of the Ascension, 390 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, RI 02910.

Sundays at 10am. 461-5811. www.ascensioncranston.org.

Church of the Epiphany: A diverse Open & Affirming Episcopal congregation. 1336 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence. 434-5012. info@epiphanyep.org, www.epiphanyep.org.

Options | April 2016

Church of the Holy Paraclete: Independent Old Catholic.

Fr. Jakob Lazarus. Sunday 9am and 6pm. 155 Douglas Avenue, Providence. 218-0706. www.holyparaclete.org.

Church of the Redeemer, a Welcoming Episcopal church. 655 Hope St., Providence. www.redeemerprovidence.org. office@ redeemerprovidence.org. Rev. Patrick Campbell, 331-0678.

Concordia Center for Spiritual Living: A diverse community welcoming all spiritual paths to God. Sunday Celebration 9:15am.

292 W. Shore Rd., Warwick. Rev. Ian Taylor, 732-1552. info@concordiachurchri.com. www.ConcordiaCSL.com.

Edgewood Congregational Church: UCC. Open & Affirming.

Service 10am. 1788 Broad Street, Cranston. 461-1344. office@edgewoodchurchri.org. www.edgewoodchurchri.org.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church: Sundays 8 and 9:30am. 120 Nate Whipple Highway, Cumberland. 658-1506. office@emmanuelri.org. www.emmanuelri.org.

First Congregational Church in Bristol: An Open and Affirming Congregation. Skip Macaulay, Interim Pastor. 281 High Street, Bristol. 253-7288. www.fccbristol.org.

First Unitarian Church: A welcoming congregation.

Sunday 10:30am. 1 Benevolent Street, Providence. 421-7970. admin@firstunitarianprov.org, www.firstunitarianprov.org.

First Unitarian Church: Service 11am. 71 8th Street, New Bedford, MA. (508) 994-9686. admin@uunewbedford.org, www.uunewbedford.org.

First Universalist Society: UU. Welcoming congregation. Samegender weddings. 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin, MA. (508) 5285348. fusf@verizon.net, www.fusf.org.

Foxboro Universalist Church: UUA. Service 10am. 6 Bird Street, Foxboro, MA. 508-543-4002. chair@uufoxborough.org. www.uufoxborough.org.

Grace Episcopal Church in Providence: 175 Mathewson Street, Providence. 331-3225. hello@gracechurchprovidence.org. www.gracechurchprovidence.org.

Hopedale Unitarian Parish: Sundays 10:30 am. 65 Hopedale St., Hopedale, MA. www.hopedaleunitarian.org, 508-473-0745. Rev. Tony Lorenzen.

Immanuel Lutheran Church: A Reconciling in Christ congregation. Pastor Sandra Demmler D’Amico. 647 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA. (508) 222-2898. www.immanuellc.org.

Interweave at Channing Memorial UU Church: Organization for the spiritual, political and social well-being of LGBTQ persons, and their allies, confronting oppression. 135 Pelham Street, Newport. 846-0643.

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Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd: A “Reconciling in Christ” congregation (Welcoming). 3383 Old North Rd., Kingston, RI. Sundays 9 am. Pastor Mary Hansen-Joyce. 789-7776; office@ goodshepherdri.org Mathewson St. Church: United Methodist. 134 Mathewson Street, Providence. 331-8900. MathewsonStUMC@gmail.com.

Mercy of God Community: Christian, inclusive religious order. mercycomm@yahoo.com, www.mgc.org.

Murray Unitarian Universalist Church: Marriage and commitment ceremonies for all. Rev. Bob McKetchnie.

505 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA. (508) 222-0505 www.murrayuuchurch.org.

Newman Congregational Church: Open & Affirming. 100 Newman Avenue, Rumford. 434-4742. www.newmanucc.org.

Newport Congregational Church: UCC. Open & Affirming.

Rev. Hayes and Rev. Baker. 73 Pelham Street, Newport. 849-2238.

Park Place Congregational Church: 71 Park Place, Pawtucket.

726-2800. office@ppucc.necoxmail.com, www.parkplaceucc.com.

The Pub Church: An Open & Affirming church that meets in a pub. Location may change. Saturday 5pm. The Dugout, 722 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA. thepubchurch@gmail.com.

Pilgrim Lutheran Church: An inclusive congregation. Sundays 8 and 9:30am. 1817 Warwick Avenue, Warwick. 739-2937. parishasst@pilgrimlutheranri.org, pilgrimlutheranri.jimdo.com.

Pilgrim United Church of Christ: Open and Affirming. 635 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA. (508)-997-9086.

Riverside Church: UCC.15 Oak Avenue, Riverside. Service 10am. 433-2039. www.rcc-ucc.com.

St. Augustine’s Church and Episcopal Center at URI: 15 Lower College Road, Kingston. 783-2153. Sundays 8am and 10am.

StAugustinesChurch@necoxmail.com, www.staugustineuri.org.

St. James Church: Episcopal. 474 Fruit Hill Avenue, North Providence. 353-2079.

St. Martin’s Episcopal Church: Sundays 8 and 10am. 50 Orchard Avenue, Providence. 751-2141. StMartinsNB.Secretary@gmail. com, www.stmartinsprov.org.

St. Martin’s Episcopal Church: Welcoming Church. Monthly LGBT Eucharist. 136 Rivet Street, New Bedford, MA. (508)994-8972. stmartins1887@comcast.com, www.stmartinsma.org.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church: Sundays 9am.50 Park Place,Pawtucket.

728-4300. office@stpaulspawtucket.org, www.stpaulspawtucket.org.

St. Paul’s Church: A welcoming Episcopal church. Sundays 9am.

2679 East Main Street, Portsmouth. 683-1164. stpaulsportsmouthri.org.

St. Peter & St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church: 25 Pomona Avenue, Providence. 272-9649.stpanda25@verizon.net. www.stpeters-standrews.org.

Saint Therese Old Catholic Church: Open & Affirming. Fr. David Martins. Sunday 10:30am. 1500 Main St., W. Warwick, RI 02893. 680-9076. stocc134@gmail.com, www.saintthereseocc.org.

Second Congregational Church of Attleboro: UCC. Open & Affirming. 50 Park Street, Attleboro, MA. Sunday 10am. (508) 2224677. office2nd@verizon.net. www.attleborosecondchurch.org.

Seekonk Congregational Church: Open & Affirming. Sundays 9 and 10:30am. Rev. Joy Utter, 600 Fall River Ave., Seekonk, MA. (508) 336-9355. sccucc@verizon.net. www.scc-ucc.com.

Soka Gakkai: Buddhist association for peace, culture, and education.

Contact for weekly meetings in Providence. 930 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston. (617) 264-2000. www.sgi-usa.org.

Temple Agudas Achim: Reconstructionist congregation.

901 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA. (508) 222-2243. office@agudasma.org, www.agudasma.org.

Temple Beth-El: Rabbi Sarah E. Mack. 70 Orchard Avenue, Providence. 331-6070. info@temple-beth-el.org, www.temple-beth-el.org.

Temple Emanu-El: A welcoming Conservative congregation.

Rabbi Wayne Franklin. 99 Taft Avenue, Providence. 331-1616. info@teprov.org, www.teprov.org.

Temple Habonim: A warm, Welcoming Reform congregation.

Rabbi Andrew Klein. 165 New Meadow Road, Barrington. 2456536. office@templehabonim.org, www.templehabonim.org.

Temple Sinai: A Welcoming Reform temple. Rabbi Jeff Goldwasser, 30 Hagen Avenue, Cranston. 942-8350. webmaster@templesinairi.org, www.templesinairi.org.

Unitarian Church in Fall River: Sunday 10:30am. 309 North Main Street, Fall River, MA. 508-678-9700. office@unitarianchurchfr.org, www.unitarianchurchfr.org.

Unitarian Universalist Society of Fairhaven: Service 10:30am.

102 Green Street, Fairhaven, MA. (508) 992-7081. www. uufairhaven.org.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County: 27 North Road, Peace Dale. 783-4170 or Val 789-7282. uucscri@ yahoo.com. www.uusouthcountyri.org.

Westminster Unitarian Universalist Church: A UUA Welcoming Congregation. 119 Kenyon Avenue, East Greenwich.

884-5933. www.westminsteruu.org.

Social Organizations Bear Providence: Monthly social events for the bear community. www.bearprovidence.com Bisexual Resource Center: PO Box 170796, Boston, MA. (617) 4249595. brc@bicresource.net www.biresource.net.

Biversity Boston: Mixed-gender social events for Boston and the surrounding area.

(617) 424-9595. biversity-subscribe@biversity.org, www.biversity.org.

Boston Bisexual Women’s Network: Social activities including monthly brunches, coming out groups and quarterly newsletter “Bi Woman Quarterly.” www.biwomenboston.org.

Bears Ocean State (BOS): Informal e-group for gay & bisexual bearidentified and affiliated men for friendly companionship. All welcome. groups.yahoo.com/group/bearsoceanstate.

Cape and Islands Gay & Straight Youth Alliance (CIGSYA): 56 Barnstable Road, Hyannis, MA. (508) 778-7744. info@cisgsya.org, www.cigsya.org.

Communisong: For unity through song. Non-performance monthly singing session. www.communisong.net.

CORISMA: Potluck get-togethers for couples from RI and southeast MA.

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corismainfo@comcast.net, www.corismagroup.org.

Gay Men’s Social Group: First Tuesdays, 6 -- 9pm, Seven Hills Behavioral Health, 1177 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford, MA. Refreshments. Info: Lenny Amaral, 508-999-4159 or lamaral@sevenhills.org.

Imperial Court of RI at Providence: Drag and non-drag performers raise funds for local charities. All welcome to general membership meetings on first Monday at Dark Lady, 17 Snow Street, Providence. icri.prov@gmail.com. www.icriprov.org.

Mixed Borders Gardening Group: Gardening and more. Monthly meetings, all welcome. Mixedborders@cox.net. www.mixedborders.com.

Opera Club: Enjoy hearing and attending. Last Sunday of each month at 1pm. BrettCornellpi4@aol.com.

Providence Gay Men’s Chorus: New season rehearsals begin in January and August. Singers and non-singing volunteers welcome. Monday 7-9:30pm. Beneficent Church, 300 Weybosset Street, Providence. www.provgmc.org.

Queer Book Club: 3rd Wednesday, 7pm. Books on the Square, 471 Angell Street, Providence, queerbookclub@gmail.com.

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RI Association of Gay Professionals: Networking and philanthropy. www.riagp.com.

RI Parents Pride: Gay parents socializing together with their children. Contact Melanie. 464-2288. saphicangel120@yahoo.com.

RI Pride: Open house 4th Wednesdays. Festival & Parade 3rd Saturday in June. Office: 1055 Westminster St., Providence 02903.

Mail: PO Box 1082, Providence, 02903. 467-2130. info@prideri.com, www.prideri.com.

RI Prime Timers: Social and networking group for older gay and bi men. Second Sunday. Call Steve, 996-3010. www.riprimetimers.org.

RI Skeptics Society: Yearning to talk with someone rational?

Refreshing discussion. Fourth Saturday. East Providence restaurant location. www.meetup.com/skeptics-133/.

RI Women’s Association: Lesbian social group. 21+. Dances & events. www.riwa.net.

SAGE/RI (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders): Advocacy, education and social events for LGBT seniors. SAGE-RI at CareLink, 1 Virginia Ave., Providence, RI 02905. 443-4451. sageriinfo@gmail. com. www.sage-ri.org.

SEMASSMEN: Social group for GBQ men of southeastern MA & RI to foster strong friendships. Semassmen-subscribe@ yahoogroups.com. rlevass@yahoo.com.

Smart Monkey Gay Men’s Support Group. Meets twice monthly in Cranston to learn about integrity, intimacy and male roles. Write Paul (ctripaul@yahoo.com) or Steve (43dadzone@ gmail.com).

South Coast Social Club for Gay & Bisexual Men: Social and networking opportunities for gay & bisexual men in S.E. Mass. www. southeastsocialclub.com.

Yankee Lambda Car Club: Regional club for GLBT vintage and specialty car enthusiasts. www.yankeelcc.com.

Sports & Recreation

PrideSports Boston: Network of twenty-plus gay sports leagues/teams in Boston area. www.pridesportsboston.com.

Boston Gay BASKETBALL League: ksg.bgbl@gmail.com, www.bgbl.com.

Big Gay Al’s Duckpin BOWLING League: Proceeds benefit AIDS causes. Tuesday 6:30pm. 1463 Atwood Avenue, Town Hall Lanes, Johnston. Contact Frank Ferri. 831-6940.www.bgalbowling. com. www.townhalllanes.com.

Field Hockey: Teamworks Somerset, 732 Lee’s River Ave., Somerset, MA. New season every 10 weeks. (508-676-3956) info@teamworkssomerset.com GALA Bowling League: Sundays 5:50 p.m., E. Providence Lanes, 80 Newport Ave., E. Providence. Season begins Aug. 30. View us on Facebook or email galabowling1990@gmail.com.

FLAG (For Lesbians And Gays) FOOTBALL: Boston-based recreational football club. All skill levels are encouraged to participate.

Saturday mornings in the fall and spring. www.flagflagfootball.com.

Boston Pride HOCKEY: www.bostonpridehockey.org.

Rondeaus KICKBOXING: 272-5425. www.rondeauskickboxing.com.

Main Street MARTIAL ARTS: Non-profit. Welcoming dojo and community center. 1282 North Main Street, Providence.

274-7672.www.mainstma.org.

Chiltern Mountain Club: OUTDOOR recreation club in New England. events@chiltern.org. www.chiltern.org.

Boston Gay ROWERS: Worldwide online community for gay and lesbian rowers, coxies, coaches, and race officials. www.glrf.org.

Boston Ironsides RUGBY Football: www.bostonironsides.org.

Providence Women’s RUGBY Club: Competitive and recreational. www.providencerugby.com

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Frontrunners Rhode Island RUNNING Group: Running and walking group. Newcomers welcome. Meet at the end of Blackstone Boulevard at Hope Street, Providence.Thursday 6pm. Contact Brian.

751-7643. bripm@cox.net, frontrunnersri@gmail.com Frontrunners Boston RUNNING Group: Morning walk/ run along the Charles River. Saturdays,10am. Club Cafe, 209 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA. www.frontrunnersboston.org.

OutRyders SKIING: New England’s largest gay and lesbian ski and snowboard club. www.outryders.org.

Boston Strikers SOCCER Club: Non-profit social organization to learn and improve soccer skills in a relaxed, congenial environment. www.bostonstrikers.com.

Renaissance City SOFTBALL League: New players and boosters always welcome. www.providencesoftball.org.

Beantown SOFTBALL League: Friendly competition. 27 teams in four divisions of play: competitive, intermediate, and recreational. (617) 297-7490. www.beantownsoftball.com.

LANES (Liquid Assets New England SWIMMING): Fitness and/or competition. (617) 937-5858. www.swim-lanes.org.

TENNIS-4-All: Boston area tennis organization. www.tennis4all.org.

Cambridge Boston VOLLEYBALL Association: Players of all skill levels welcome. secretary@cbvolleyball.net www.gayvolleyball.net.

Ocean State Pride VOLLEYBALL League: Adult coed indoor league following USVBA rules. No try-outs. Fee applies. Kent County YMCA, 900 Centerville Road, Warwick. ospvolleyball@gmail.com.

East Coast WRESTLING Club: (617)937.5858 x6. ecwc@juno.com. www.eastcoastwrestlingclub.org.

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Students & Youth Bristol Community College The Lambda Connection: (TLC@ BCC) Robert Delaleu, Advisor; BCC-G118, 777 Elsbree St., Fall River, MA (774)357-4056.

Brown University Queer Alliance: Umbrella organization at Brown University for LGBTQ groups. 863-3062. queer@brown. edu or lgbtq@brown.edu.

CCRI Triangle Alliance: an LGBTQQ student-run group at CCRI, on the Flanagan, Liston, and Knight campuses. www.ccri.edu/triangle/.

LGBT National Youth Talkline: 800-246-7743. Private oneto-one chat and info on local resources.

Peer Listening Line: Youth-staffed hotline for GLBT youth.

Support, info and referrals. 5-10pm. Fenway Community Health Center, Boston, MA. (617) 267-9001 or (800) 399-PEER. www. fenwayhealth.org.

Salve Regina University – The Alliance: 100 Ochre Point Avenue, Newport. Contact: Benjamin Mead, benjamin.mead@ salve.edu

S.H.E.P.A.R.D. (Stopping Homophobia, Eliminating Prejudices and Restoring Dignity): Providence College, 1 Cunningham Square, Providence. 865-1631. shepard@providence.edu.

The Trevor Project: The only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBT youth. Also offers social networks. (866)4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386). thetrevorproject.org.

University of RI LGBTIQ2: Alumni association. 874-5808. gsimonelli@uri.edu.

URI LGBTQ Center: A cultural department for students, faculty and staff. Florence Badejo. 874-2894.

Youth Pride Inc.: Support, education & advocacy for LGBTQQ young people ages 13--23. Tues. -- Fri. 2 -- 8pm. The Way Out peer support group Thurs. 4pm. Gender Spectrum support group Tues. 4pm. Visit our website for full calendar of events. 743 Westminster St., Providence. 421-5626. info@youthprideri.org. www.youthprideri.org.

Support Groups & Social Services Abuse Victims and Survivors: Support on phone for LGBTQ victims & survivors of partner abuse. Confidential peer-led groups.

Hotline: (617) 742-4911.TTY: (617) 227-4911. advocate@tnlr.org.

Adoption Options: Non-sectarian help. Jewish Family Service, 959 North Main Street, Providence. Contact Betsy Alper. 331-5437. www.adoptionoptions.org.

Child & Family Services: Counseling, young parent support, adoption, more. LGBT groups beginning July. Open six days. 66 Troy St., Fall River, MA. (508) 676-5708. www.child-familyservices.org Community Care Alliance: Stipend, assistance, training provided

by Family Resources Community Action. 235-6095. www.famresri.org.

Foster parents needed: For newborn to age six. 276-4300. www.childrensfriendri.org.

Family Service RI: Training, stipend, support provided for nurturing families. Family Service of RI. Contact Gregary Wright. 331-1350 ext.

3305. www.familyserviceri.org.

Seven Hills Behavioral Health: HIV Prevention and Screening.

310 South Main Street, Fall River, MA. (508) 235-1012. T.W.I.S.T. (508) 672-0378.

Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center: Offering resources for victims of domestic violence. 723-3057. www.bvadvocacycenter.org.

Compass: FTM trans info, support and social group.

Boston first Thursday 7-9pm. compassftm@gmail.com. www.compassftm.org.

Crossroads RI Hotline: (800) 367-2700.

Day One: Counseling & legal aid for victims of sexual assault/ abuse & incest. 24hr hotline. (800) 494-8100. 421-4100. www.dayoneri.org.

Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County: Support, court advocacy, counseling, safe home, info for women and men in abusive or controlling relationships. 24hr free and confidential helpline. 782-3990 or toll free 800-494-8100, www.dvrcsc.org.

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Gay Fathers of Greater Boston: Support. 738 Main St. #323, Waltham, MA. (781) 333-8429. info@gayfathersboston.org, www. gayfathersboston.org.

Gay Men’s HIV+ Social Group: Third Tuesdays, 6 -- 9pm.

Refreshments. Seven Hills Behavioral Health, 1177 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford, MA. Info: Lenny Amaral, 508-999-4159 or email lamaral@sevenhills.org.

Gay Officers Action League (GOAL)/New England: Law enforcement officers (sworn & civilian), fire, rescue & publicly employed EMS. Confidential. P.O. Box 171587, Boston, MA 02117. www.newenglandgoal.org. On Facebook at NewEnglandGOAL. Gay Share: Coming Out? Gay men’s support group. No fee.

Wednesday 7:30pm. Contact Tom or Mike. 369-9448. info@ gayshare.org, www.gayshare.org.

Helpline for LGBT Youth: Trevor Helpline and social networks for crisis and suicide prevention. 24/7. (866) 4-U-Trevor.

HIV+ Gay Men’s Support Group: Refreshments served. AIDS Care Ocean State, 18 Parkis Avenue, Providence. 521-3603. New members contact Scott. 640-3108.

Kathys’ Group: Free support group for lesbians with cancer or any life-threatening illness. Partners and caregivers welcome. Meets monthly in Providence. 888-5KATHYS. Mantalk of S.E. Mass: Socializing and discussions for gay, bi and curious men. Confidential. Drug and alcohol-free. 18+. Thursdays in Taunton and first Tuesdays in New Bedford. 7-8:30pm. mantalksouthcoast@yahoo.com.

MentalHelp.net: National directory of inpatient treatment options for those with substance abuse problems. www.mentalhelp.net/ care/substance-abuse/ri/ Partner Support Group at Fenway Health: A ten-week support group with the purpose of building community and connections for anyone who identifies as non-trans, ages 18+, and is in a relationship with a trans* person(s). 1340 Boylston Street, Boston, MA. Contact Sarah Eley, LICSW. 857-313-6551. seley@fenwayhealth.org.

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PFLAG (Parents, & Friends of Lesbians & Gays): Attleboro Chapter serves Southeast Mass. Third Wednesday 6:45 p.m., Second Congregational Church, 50 Park St. (side door). email pflagattleboro@gmail.com. Greater Providence Chapter serves all R.I. First Wednesday at 6:45 p.m., Met School, 325 Public St., Providence.

751-7571. PFLAGprovidence@gmail.com. www. pflagprovidence.org.

RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 24hr helpline: (800) 494-8100. 467-9940.

RI Rainbow Support Group: For people with disabilities who identify as LGBTQ. LastTuesday. 98 Rolfe Street, Cranston. 6-7:30pm.

Contact Ken Renaud. 785-2100.

Samaritans: 24hr hotline for suicidal, lonely, despairing, depressed.

(800) 365-4044. 272-4044 (RI only). www.samaritansri.org.

Sexual Health Education & Advocacy Program: HIV, sexual wellness, domestic violence risk reduction. Free, confidential, bilingual (Spanish). No caller ID used. Calls blocked for safety. 8616191 ext. 121.

Sojourner House: Call for confidential support group. Support, shelter, advocacy and information for people in abusive relationships.

Including specific LGBT services. No caller ID used. Outgoing calls blocked for safety. 24hr helpline. 765-3232. 861-6191. www. sojournerri.org Straight Spouses: Groups and online support. www. straightspouse.org.

TGI Network of RI: Support, advocacy for transgender, transsexual, gender-variant and/or intersex people. Borderlands peer group 1st & 3d Tues. and 1st & 3d Sat. of the month. Location & information: 441-5058. info@tginetwork.org. www.tginetwork. org.

Trans* Partners New England: Gives romantic partners of transgender people a confidential, safe space to explore the impact of a loved one’s gender identity on their relationships, and to connect with other loved ones of transgender people. First Wednesday 6:30-8:30pm. Providence. Location unpublished for privacy. partners@tginetwork.org.

Trans* Youth Family Allies: Support for gender-variant and transgender children ages 3-18. info@imatyfa.org, www.imatyfa.org.

Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA): Growing organization to address the concerns of fair treatment of transgender veterans and active duty service members. www. tavausa.org.

Women’s Resource Center of Newport and Bristol Counties: Offering services to victims of domestic violence. 8465263. www.wrcnbc.org. q

Room for Rent: Johnston Area with private bathroom and shared living space. $300 per month. On bus line.

Prefer text before call, 401-323-6666. Students, young professionals, and military are welcome.

Help Wanted: Security at private home in Johnston.

Part time, 15-20 hours per week at $10 per hour.

Overnight/sleeping arrangements provided. Students, young professionals, and military are welcome. Prefer text before call, 401-323-6666.

Serving all Faiths & Lifestyles

Jennifer A. Minuto LGBT Legal Advocacy.

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Worth a Look

by The Lit Chick

Legendary piano man Elton John is back with his 33rd studio album, Wonderful Crazy Night, a mix of new songs that won’t disappoint his legion of fans.

This new album is classic Elton John. He co-wrote all the music on Wonderful Crazy Night with longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin, and the album’s feel is consistent with John’s trademark high-energy blues rock roots. The two have been writing music together since 1967 and the partnership has produced more than 50 top 40 hits over his career.

As I listened to the album it was easy for me to imagine John belting out each track and working the piano to its limits.

Ellen Page’s new show, Gaycation, is an intense, smart, and powerful look into the lives of LGBT people in countries around the world.

Page and her best friend, Ian Daniel, don’t take the easy routes on this show; instead, they travel to the far corners of LGBT communities in the most hostile countries imaginable.

“It’s a beautiful thing,” says Page.“You interview people who are filled with such strength and beauty and hope and courage.”

One of them is trans model and actress Carol Marra, who lives in Brazil, the country with the highest LGBT murder rate in the world. “Even though life doesn’t smile at me, I smile at it every day,” she told Page and Daniels. “So I don’t take no for an answer. I go knock on the door and I think others should do the same.”

Page famously confronted Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz about his views on same-sex marriage at the Iowa State Fair in 2015. Gaycation reminded me of that exchange many times over, from Page’s interview with a dancehall artist who sings about violence toward gays and lesbians in Jamaica, to her frightening interview with a serial killer of LGBT people in Brazil. Page’s style is conversational and non-threatening, and she tends to make everyone she interviews comfortable, regardless of their circumstance or point-of-view.

Watch episodes of Gaycation on the new cable channel Viceland, or free at viceland.com.

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His singles “Looking Up,” “Guilty Pleasure,” and “England and America” have the classic, loud, driving piano John is famous for.

He changes it up with softer rock singles. I know I shouldn’t like “Blue Wonderful” and “The Open Chord” so much (or at least not admit it) but I find myself listening to them over and over again. John’s “I’ve Got Two Wings” is a lovely tribute to blues singer Elder Utah Smith.

The best option, of course, is to watch John in concert as he pours everything he has onto his piano. Until then, downloading Wonderful Crazy Night and playing it as loudly as he would is the next best thing.

Roller Girl, the new graphic novel by Victoria Jamieson, celebrates girl power and the courage it takes to survive junior high school.

Jamieson (aka Winnie the Pow) is a Rhode Island School of Design grad and real-life derby girl with the Rose City Rollers Derby League in Portland, Oregon.

Roller Girl’s star is gritty 12-yearold Astrid, who discovers her true calling and makes a commitment to being “tougher, stronger, and fearless.” Jamieson drew heavily from her own experience and dug in even further. “I reached out to leagues in Canada, England, Australia, Sweden, and all across the United States, and asked skaters if I could borrow their names,” she says. “So, all of Astrid’s teammates have real derby names from junior skaters around the world.”

Unfortunately for Astrid, derby drives a deeper wedge between her and her boy-crazy, ballet-loving best friend, Nicole. Jamieson’s book reads like a guidepost for tweens who are struggling to both follow their hearts and fit in with a crowd, and who are mourning the loss of how simple life used to be back in fifth grade.

Roller Girl is a fun read for early teens and derby enthusiasts alike. Jamieson has profiles of real-life roller girls on her website, victoriajamieson.com. When you’re done reading, cheer on the local ladies of the Providence Roller Derby, who are back on the track for spring. Check out the full schedule at www.providencerollerderby.com.q

Options | April 2016