NEWS BRIEFS by Myra Shays
Myra in the Pride Parade
Free Condoms by Mail from RIDOH Due to COVID-19 precautions, many of RIDOH’s free condom distribution locations statewide are no longer accepting walkin traffic. RIDOH is making free condoms, lubricant, and dental dams available by mail to anyone in Rhode Island who fills out a brief survey.Those who order can expect to receive a small, discreet mailer with approximately 10-15 condoms, depending on their preferences. Rhode Islanders can order free condoms and other safe sex supplies by going to health.ri.gov/std and clicking on “Find Free Condoms by Mail” or ordering them by clicking on “Get Free Condoms By Mail” under the “Condoms” category on RIDOH’s RIghtTime sexual health app (righttimeapp.com). October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Sojourner House Offers Resources by Sarah DeCataldo
disclose abuse for many reasons, including fear of being outed, fear of retaliation, and fear of not being believed by professionals. Sojourner House, recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI as a Safe Zone, offers programming and an environment that is not only welcoming to all, but also addresses the specific needs of and barriers experienced by LGBTQ+ community members. Services offered include emergency shelter, safe housing, clinical therapy, victim advocacy, free HIV testing, and support groups. A hotline and text line are available 24/7 and LGBTQ+ specific support groups and advocacy are currently offered virtually. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please call Sojourner House at 401-765-3232 or visit www. sojournerri.org.
Homophobes on list of Possible Justices
The Progress Channel Launches in Rhode Island
In September, The Progress Channel launched its flagship The CDC reports that LGBTQ+ program The Progress Report people experience domestic with Dee Sage, which streams violence at higher rates than live on Tuesdays at 9pm. Sage their straight and cisgender says, “It’s about lifting voices that peers. Unfortunately, LGBTQ+ are silenced: Black and Brown victims are also less likely to 10 options
Oct/Nov 2020
voices, LGBTQIA+ voices, women’s voices, and others that major media companies do not highlight.” His guests have included RI Senate candidate Tiara Mack, Woonsocket councilman Alex Kithes, Woonsocket city council candidate Charmaine Webster, and RI State Senator Melissa Murray. Executive Producer Ken Barber said of their upcoming special election night (November 3) episode, “We want people to have a place to go to watch local reactions to the election, both on the national and state level.” To learn more, visit theprogresschannel. com, or contact info@ theprogresschannel.com.
On September 9, President Trump released a list of possible nominees to the Supreme Court, if vacancies were to occur. Then Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died on September 18. The list includes some of the most anti-LGBT activists sitting on the bench today, according to a statement from Lambda Legal, a major civil rights organization, which says these people have alarming conservative, anti-LGBT
