Thousands turn out for Rhode Island Pride
0Rhode Island's annual Pride celebration on Saturday, June 19, featured a new location, top caliber entertainment, and a horde of politicians soliciting support from - and offering it to - the state's LGBT residents.
The night parade proceeded through the streets of downtown Providence, where thousands of onlookers cheered and shouted for the marchers, drag queens and the colored floats. And in a nod to the possible repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, LGBT veterans served as the parade's grand marshals.
Congressional candidates Betsy Dennigan and openly gay Mayor David Cicilline, along with Providence mayoral candidates John Lombardi, Angel Tavares and Stephen Constantino all marched in the parade.
Parents and Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays, the Providence Gay Men's Chorus, Marriage Equality Rhode Island, Youth Pride, Inc. and SeaQuel (Southeast Asian Queers United for Empowerment and Leadership, a program of the Providence Youth Student Movement,) were among the organizations that participated. The meeting of the old and the new was represented symbolically within SeaQuel's float, which was set up with a modern city skyline along the outer edge. Contained within it was a more traditionally Southeast Asian setting, including a palm tree, pagodas, and a model of Angkor Wat, Cambodia's most famous temple.
Amber, who sang her hits such as "Sexual (li da di)," "Above the Clouds," "The Need to Be Naked," "If You Could Read My Mind," and "One More Night" headlined the event. And other entertainers included singer-songwriter Todd Alsup, R&B/Soul performer Nhojj, the Glamazons, Shryne, Becky Chace Band, Candace Brooks Band, Heather Rose, Michelle Ribeiro, and Sabrina Blaze, who delivered a tour de force performance of several disco and soul classics.
The theme of this year's event was Equality--Imagine the Possibilities. RI Pride co-chair Rodney Davis explained equality does not necessarily refer to civil rights or another particular issue.
"Even within civil rights, there's an issue of equality in regards to gender, in regards to issues of immigration, even within issues of race within our own community," he said. "We're encouraging people to imagine what the world would be like if we really worked hard in making the world fair and equal for everyone."
This year's festival was held on South Water Street, alongside the Providence River. In past years the event was held at Station Park, across from the State House.
The Pride staff could not use the location again due to a shortage of funds and the high cost of leasing the space from the state, but the new location won favorable reviews from those who attended.
"I really liked the location," said Kim Stowell, editor of gay news magazine Options. "It was quite picturesque-the river, and the view of the city from there-it was a nice part of the city to be in. And the street fair set-up meant there were no bad booth locations. I had thought parking was going to be a problem, but most people I talked to had found a spot close by."
Steve Silva, who marched with his church group, agreed.
"I've been to the last five Rhode Island Pride festivals, and this is by far the best location that the Rhode Island Pride committee has selected," he said.
Pride also featured special performances from Miss Gay RI 2010 Savannah Devereaux and Mr. Gay RI Ben Huber, the King and Queen Ocean State 2010, the Imperial Court of Rhode Island and Jackie Collins. Devereaux, Kevin O'Connell, Jacqueline DiMera, Vi'Let, Genesis, and the Self-Proclaimed First Lady of Providence Miss Kitty Litter co-emceed.
Belle Pellegrino, a veteran of the first RI Pride celebration, was impressed by the festivities.
"The changes over the last 34 years continue to amaze me," she said. "To see how it has grown; to see the huge numbers who attend, participate and cheer compared to the first events of 1976 bring tears to my eyes. I know in my heart that Rev. Joe Gilbert who started this all, and Ray Larivierre who sat with me in the courtroom when we sued for the right to hold the first one are watching from above and feel the same."
Pellegrino also applauded the diversity on display at this year's event.
"What began as a 'rag-tag' group doing our best has grown to truly cover the 'rainbow' that makes up our family."