options
From the Editor-in-Chief
Rhode Island’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community news source since 1982.
Dear Reader,
December 2019/January 2020
I was instantly intrigued when I met Jazzmen Lee-Johnson while having the privilege of speaking on a panel with her as part of Trinity Repertory’s America Too project. Who knew the RI Department of Health (RIDOH) had an artist-inresidence (who happened to be queer)? I had to learn more. In this issue, we give you a taste of the wide breadth of Lee-Johnson’s fascinating and impactful work (p. 6), and direct you to her full interview at optionsri.org to dig deeper. Jonathan Lucero McKinney is a savvy writer with a passion for health issues, who pitched a story about vaping in the LGBTQ+ community. His knack for research and legwork lent a lot to the piece, which takes us from the 1990s tobacco industry SCUM campaign targetting LGBTQ people to a barstool at the Mirabar today (p. 12). With these two stories in the works, I figured we had better reach to RIDOH for an issue sponsorship. Thankfully they were receptive, or we’d have halved our print run. This was a natural partnership, as the theme of health runs through every issue of Options. Our content often addresses disparate LGBTQ health issues, and thanks to RIDOH, even some of our paid advertisements offer access to programs with solutions (pp. 2, 25, 36). November 3’s RI Pride Honors event was the highlight of my professional career. In my Pyramid of Pride acceptance speech, I said that I’d gotten there simply by saying “Yes” when asked and sticking around. If we’re lucky, these three new Options team members who’ve recently said “Yes” to critical roles will stick around, because they’re each doing a fantastic job: Advertising Manager Daniel Restrepo, Designer Koki Mendis, and Calendar Editor Galen Auer. This is a very special issue of Options Magazine. Heart, soul, sweat, and sleepless nights went into it from team members new and old. We hope to top it next issue, if given the chance through your donation to keep us going. Flip to the centerfold (p. 18) to find the many reasons you should give today. This issue is special enough without it being our last. In solidarity, Jen Stevens
Jen and Rich Hite at RI Pride Honors. Photo by Kevin Fletcher.
Advertisers 4
AIDS Project RI
23
15
Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI
21
Boston Pride Hockey: Rhode Island
14
NewportOUT
34
Campus Fine Wines
24
PFLAG Providence
Law Office of Dawn Euer
24
Providence Flea: Holiday Markets
35
Exeter Job Corps Academy
34
Reverend Dr. Donnie Anderson
13
Firex: Fire Extinguisher Services & Sales
13
RI Victims of Crime Helpline
7
Friends of Toto
2, 25, 36
RI Department of Health
7
Industrial Revolution CrossFit
9
7
Insperiors: Inspired Interiors
7
Meeting Street: The Grace School
RI Women’s Association
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 4
Editor-in-Chief Jen Stevens jen@optionsri.org Resources Editor Myra Shays resources@optionsri.org Calendar Editor Galen Auer calendar@optionsri.org Copy Editors Rex LeBeau, Ricky Mejia, Abigail Nilsson, Carson Pavao, Myra Shays Graphic & Layout Design Koki Mendis Advertising Manager Daniel Restrepo advertising@optionsri.org Intern Abigail Nilsson Contributors Felicia Nimue Ackerman, Galen Auer, Tiffani Carcieri, Marty Cooper, Cathy Gorman, Charlie Hall, Ethan Huckel, Rex LeBeau, Jonathan Lucero McKinney, Mev Miller, Myra Shays, Jen Stevens, Kim Stowell Photographers Jen Bonin, Paul Martin Directors Ashley Delgado, Dr. Mike Marrapodi, Arthur Snow
Contact Us info@optionsri.org PO Box 6406 Providence, RI 02940 401-217-3939 www.optionsri.org Cover: Jazzmen Lee-Johnson Photo by: Livia Radwanski
optionsri.org
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