City Hall Flag-Raising Kicks Off 30th RI Pride
PROVIDENCE -- Rhode Island Pride kicked off its 30th anniversary celebration with a flag-raising ceremony inside City Hall June 9 because of the threat of rain. The event is usually held on the front steps.
The city council chamber was filled with supporters, including Miss Gay Rhode Island, Mr. Gay Rhode Island and Miss Gay Pride. "What I enjoy most about being in this position is being able to have a voice and have that voice be heard," Rocky Graziano, Mr. Gay Rhode Island, told EDGE.
Emperor Anthony St. John and Empress Luis Urizandi of the Latin Monarchy of Rhode Island and former Mr. and Miss Gay Rhode Island, told EDGE they have multiple reasons to be proud. "This is a great expression of oneself and we don't have to hide," St. John said. "We are proud because we are gay, immigrants and of color," Urizandi further explained. The couple has been together for 15 years and is proud that their children support them.
RI Pride Co-Chair Rodney Davis, who has been involved with the organization for 15 years, was master of ceremonies. He told the audience, "Sometimes we forget that we are preserving our history and place in society. We exist. We have a place." Davis assured the audience that "Pride is healthy and alive," and because of its programs and services, such as Business After Hours, "Pride becomes 365."
RI Pride Co-Chair Joshua Thompson outlined the 30th anniversary events, which are highlighted by the PrideFest in Station Park and New England's only night-time parade June 17. See the EDGE Pride Calendar for a complete listing of events, dates and times.
Davis introduced Belle Pellegrino, who participated in the first RI Pride in 1976. Before introducing Pellegrino, Davis stated, "Pride is an extremely difficult event to put on. Our insurance went up to $5,000 because of the world we live in."
Pellegrino was greeted with loud applause. Telling the audience it was her first City Hall flag- raising ceremony, Pellegrino said, "This year I had to be here." She talked about the initial 110 individuals who met at Kennedy Plaza for the first RI Pride. She sadly stated that half of those first-time Pride attendees "are either ill, dead or moved away."
Pellegrino told the story about her mother's support that lasted until Pellegrino was highlighted on the news. Her mother asked, "Why do you have to be so public about it?" Pellegrino said she replied, "I will keep doing it until I can shout from rooftops and no one will notice."
"Each time someone pushes us in the closet we have to fight back," she continued. "By educating, we will liberate."
Billy Ackerly, formerly known as Billy Mencer, sang the song he initially sang during the first RI Pride. The song began, "Come out, come out, wherever you are. Freedom is here. There is no need to fear." Pellegrino mouthed along during the song and shed a few tears.
"As a progressive Democrat, I feel your pain," Carl Sheeler, a candidate for U.S. Senate in the September primary, said. He then asked for a round of applause for Providence Mayor David Cicilline and Rhode Island House Majority Leader Gordon Fox, both of whom are openly gay. "I don't see you based on your sexual [orientation]," Sheeler stated. "I see you as men and women." He also said, "The marriage equality issues are all about rights."
Cicilline was unable to attend ceremony because of high school graduation exercises. Chief of Protocol Paul Brooks spoke on his behalf. "We're not your usual political people," Brooks stated.
He spoke proudly of a recent Washington Times article that classified Mayor Cicilline as a "reform-minded mayor." After mentioning that Providence Tourism Council made a $15,000 grant to RI Pride, Brooks told the audience, "You are doing a good job. Please keep it up."
An enormous rainbow flag "first introduced at Key West," Davis said, was unfurled in the chamber to end the ceremony. The flag stretched from balcony to floor, reaching almost from wall to wall. Davis then proclaimed, "We come together as Rhode Islanders and as Americans. Love-that's what our movement is about and no one is going to stop it."
Cicilline did attend a reception that followed, hosted by Reflections Caf?. The mayor told EDGE that unfurling the flag "is an important part of Gay Pride. ...The flag symbolizes the great strength of diversity that exists in Providence."