NEWS BRIEFS
Passages: Donald Boss A creative and energetic activist in the LGBT community died on December 22, the victim of a hit-and-run in Warwick, at the age of 51. Donald Boss (Aurora Borealis) was one of the earliest hosts of Gay Bingo (now called Drag Bingo), a hugely successful fundraiser for AIDS causes, and led the Rhode Island Gay Pageant Association for several years. Contributions in Donald’s memory will help his grieving family. You may visit: www. gofundme.com/f/help-donaldbosss-family. - by Myra Shays Councilman Resigns Leadership Position After Disparaging Trans Activist In December, Michael Correia resigned as president pro tem of the Providence City Council after secret recordings disclosed that he had made dehumanizing and transphobic remarks about Justice Gaines, an activist transwoman who has herself run for a seat on the Council. Before Correia acknowledged his offense on Facebook, he asked Gaines for forgiveness, which she granted. He remains on the on WPRI. - by Myra Shays
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history of RI LGBTQ+ people and organizations, as well as materials created by people within the community itself. Over the past Pride Update year, PPL has been working with Since Options reported on the an amazing advisory board to turmoil within RI Pride in our begin this important collecting October/November issue, more Pride Board members Options Magazine has provided resigned following further a complete set of its issues controversy. The few remaining beginning in 1982, telling stories members, having been left of the people, work, activism, with enormous responsibility, and joy of this community for reportedly considered dissolving almost 40 years.Those interested in learning more about the RI standing members are having LGBTQ+ Community Archives, or accessing the Options Magazine It’s almost certain there will be back issues, are encouraged no Pride celebration this June, in to contact the PPL Curator light of Covid and a weakened of Rhode Island Collections at organization. Traditionally, kwells@provlib.org. – by Kate PrideFest planning would already Wells be well underway. – by Jen Stevens Providence Only City in RI to Receive Perfect Community Archives Score on LGBTQIA+ Coming to Providence Equality Survey Public Library Providence Public Library (PPL) Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza has announced the creation and Providence’s LGBTQIA+ of RI LGBTQ+ Community Liaison and Deputy Director Archives. This project aims to of Policy Bret Jacob recently provide a dynamic space to learn announced that the City received a perfect 100-point score on the the histories of RI's LGBTQ+ 2020 Municipal Equality Index. communities. While individual Providence has earned this archival materials exist at a grade every year since 2014 and variety of RI institutions, there has remains the only eligible city in Rhode Island to receive such high been no central place where this important history is easily accessible to the community. RI LGBTQ+ Community Archives will collect and provide access to materials that exhibit the social, cultural, and political
February/March 2021
